Biblia Sacra. Antwerp: Christopher Plantin, 1583, folio.
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A magnificent and monumental folio edition of the Louvain Bible, printed by Christopher Plantin at Antwerp in 1583, widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and beautiful productions of the entire output of the Plantin Press, rivalled only by their great Polyglot Bible. This edition presents the revised Latin Vulgate text prepared by the theologians of the University of Leuven, accompanied by extensive scholarly apparatus, including marginal variant readings and the substantial Notationes in Sacra Biblia of Franciscus Lucas Brugensis (117 pp.), effectively fulfilling Plantin’s earlier promise of supplementary textual commentary.
Printed in a grand folio format on a lavish scale, the work is distinguished by its exceptionally rich illustrative programme of copper engravings, a technically and artistically advanced feature at a time when woodcuts still predominated. These include a finely engraved architectural title page, full page biblical scenes, numerous text illustrations, and large plans (several taken from the Polyglot Bible), executed by leading Netherlandish artists such as Crispin van den Broeck, Pieter van der Borcht, Jan Wierix, Jan Sadeler, and Abraham de Bruyn. Of these plates, a significant number were newly designed for this edition.
The edition was produced with partial financial support from the court of Philip II of Spain, reflecting both its prestige and its complex political context, as Plantin operated within the tensions of the Dutch Revolt. Issued in at least two variants (with or without a dedication to Cardinal-Infant Albert of Austria), the Bible was clearly intended for wealthy collectors and learned libraries, as evidenced by its large format, fine paper, and elaborate decoration.
Typographically and textually, the edition reflects late 16th century Catholic scholarship at its height: the biblical text is presented in double columns with marginal verse references (rather than full verse division), alongside cross-references and textual variants. The inclusion of Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac in the scholarly apparatus further enhances its critical value and further recalls the scholarship of the great Polyglot.
A celebrated achievement of Renaissance printing, described by Voet as among the finest works of the Plantin Press, this 1583 folio Bible stands as a synthesis of humanist scholarship, Counter-Reformation theology, and the highest standards of late sixteenth-century book production.
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Provenance:
1. J. De Surhon, early ownership inscription to upper margin of title.
2. Julien Nyssens Hart (1859-1910), a Belgian engineer.
3. By descent until sold at Bonhams 20 March 2024 lot 22 (£2,816).
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Size: 295 x 441 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), *4, **6 (-**2, 6), [1], a-z8, Aa-Zz8, AA-NN8, A-P8, A-K6, (1)]
18th century quarter calf over paste-boards, binding rubbed with a little discolouration, shelf and edge wear, joints cracked, but with both boards attached; the binding is secure. Tooled red morocco title label extant.
This copy contains 8 full page plates, one of which is a large double-page plan of Solomon's Temple, these being taken from the Plantin Polyglot. It also includes 80 attractive in-text engravings, and the dedication to Cardinal Albert of Austria which is usually lacking as Antwerp was under a Calvinist administration at the time this was printed. Lacks two preliminary leaves from gathering **, one of which is seemingly a blank (**6). The NN8 and K6 blanks are extant. Without the three maps. Some dampstaining in bottom blank marginal space Oo, generally faint after Xx, occasional light instances elsewhere. Some early effacing to the title leaf and plate a2 to obscure nudity. Otherwise generally clean throughout the text, mildly toned, but internally a well presented copy.
[Darlow & Moule 6173; ; Adams B1089; Voet 690].
