Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, in Yiddish - Amsterdam, 1686

Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, in Yiddish - Amsterdam, 1686
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, "translated from the Holy Tongue, and written in Yiddish", Yiddish translation of the Bible, based on the following commentaries: Rashi, ibn Ezra, Radak, R. Saadya Gaon, Ralbag and others. Amsterdam: Joseph Athias, [1686].
Translated by R. Yosef son of Alexander Witzenhausen.
Additional elaborate, engraved title page, the center of which is occupied by the coat of arms of the Dutch Republic, flanked by the figures of Moshe and King David. Biblical scenes unfold at the top and bottom of the page.
Approbations of the rabbis of the Vaad Arba HaAratzot (Council of Four Lands) on leaf [4]. One was signed at the Yaroslav (Jarosław) fair in 1677, and the other at the Lublin fair in 1678. The approbations acclaim the printer "Joseph Athias son of the holy Abraham Athias who was burnt at stake in Spain", for the excellent printing press he established "and he improved upon what was already before him, to accord grandeur and glory to the Torah, with beautiful paper and ink, and by attaching crowns to the letters…".
Ownership inscriptions on the engraved title page: "Iserl Misselfeld, received as a wedding gift from my uncle Leizer Forchheim"; "He received it from my late father Chaim Misselfeld…".
[6], 79, 150 leaves. 30.5 cm. Condition varies. Title page and first leaves in fair to fair-poor condition, with many stains, wear and worming affecting text. Marginal paper repairs to both title pages, slightly affecting text of second title page. Most other leaves in good condition. Minor stains and worming. Leaves trimmed, affecting printed marginal notes. Stamp on final leaf. Old binding, with leather spine. Damage to binding.
Joseph Athias presumably began printing the book around the year 1677 (the approbations from the Vaad Arba HaAratzot and the ban against printing this translation for sixteen years following the printing of the book are dated 1677 and 1678). However, another translation of the Bible was printed concurrently in Amsterdam by Uri Phoebus HaLevi, in 1676-1679 (see previous item), leading to a dispute between the printers, each one accusing the other of copyright infringement. This dispute between the two printers is mentioned in rhyming verses in the center of the second title page, as well as in the "translator's apologia" at the beginning of the book. Regarding the controversy between the printers surrounding this edition, see: A. M. Habermann, Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriim, pp. 300-310. These two translations are considered the first Yiddish translations of the Bible.