Biblische Historien (Historie)

Very Good 1714, Hamburg Germany. The first ever printing of this seminal classic. The first time that Bible stories were printed specifically for children. Thus it was somewhat "cleansed" before publication. One source I found says that the incest and murder committed by David were altered, among other things. It is four inches by seven inches, and includes 104 plates from engravings, 52 in the Old Testament, and 52 in the New Testament. There are 400 pages of text, plus the eight page introduction. Also, all the plates are on unnumbered pages, for a total of 512 printed pages. The book is in its original calves leather boards and spine, which are still attached but fragile. All pages, including all front and rear endpapers, are present. The last two plates have been repaired at the edges, and several pages inside have edge tears or stains, but they are minimal. There is the expected foxing throughout, and a former owner name and inscription in pencil at the front and a name alone in pencil at the rear. The leather of the boards and spine are rubbed and worn, and partially chipped off at the spine ends. The original black leather spine label with gilt titles is still present. A rare gem, the only copy I have ever seen of the original first printing from 1714. Johann Hübner (1668-1731) was a German geographer born in Türchau bei Zittau on May 15, 1668. He studied Theology, History and Geography in Leipzig from 1689 onwards. From 1691 he was Master, and then from 1694 Rector, of the Gymansium at Merseburg (Martisberg); then from 1711 of the Johanneum College in Hamburg. Hübner worked with Nuremberg mapmaker J B Homann (1663-1724) and English cartographer Jean Palairet (1697-1774). His other published works included Kurze Fragen aus der alten und neuen Geographie (Leipzig 1693 ) and Museum Geographicum, Das Ist: In Verzeichnis der besten Land-Charten...nebst einem Vorchlage, wie daruas allerhand große und kleine Atlantes können sortiert...