Volume One: a4 (-a4), b-d4, e2, A-4Z4, 2.A-2.2Q4, )(4, 3.A-3.2A4, 4.A-4.H4. [34], 740, 312, [8], 255, [1] pp. Section titles. Contains indices, Apparatus in librum Sohar pars prima, nempe loci communes kabbalistici…, Apparatus in librum Sohar pars secunda, cujus contenta exhibet…, Apparatus in librum Sohar pars tertia & quarta …(1678), and Apparatus in librum Sohar pars Quarta, quae continet explicationem arborum seu tabularum… Volume Two: [pi]2(pi2v engraved table), A-4L4, a-3o4, (a)-(h)4, (i)2. [2], 598, [2 blank], 478, 70 pp. Title printed in red and black. Section titles. Contains Synopsis..liber Sohar, Introductio…liber Sohar, Siphra de Zeniutha seu liber Mysterii, sive Occultationis, Idra Rabba, seu synodus areae magna, Idra Suta, seu Synodus Minor, Commentarius in…Librum mysterii, Tres tractatus initiales libri Sohar, Pneumatica Cabbalistica, De Revolutionibus Animarum, and the Adumbratio Kabbalae Christianae.
Translated by Christian Knorr Von Rosenroth (1636-1684). With cabbalistic essays and commentaries by Abraham Cohen de Herrera (c. 1570-1639), Naphthali Hirtz ben Jacob Elchanan (fl .16th century), and Isaac Loria (1534-1572). Volume One with an engraved additional title by “J.C.S.” (Johann Christoph Sartorius?) and 16 folding engraved figures, one also signed “J.C.S.” Volume Two with an engraved magic table facing dedication, folding engraved chart at page 242. 7¾x6, modern half calf with antique marbled boards, spines gilt. (Volume Two is slightly larger, 8¼x6¼). First Edition of the First Latin Translation of the Kabbalah.
The Kabbala denudata (Kabbalah Uncovered) is the first translation of the Kabbalah for a gentile audience. The Sefer Zohar, or “Book of Splendour”, is the most authoritative Kabbalistic book. This is a highly influential translation. Though never completed, it is the basis for most non-Hebrew modern editions. Knorr Von Rosenroth was the son of a Selesian minister, who at an early age became interested in Protestant mysticism. He befriended the Cambridge philosopher, Henry More and the Belgian mystic, Franciscus Mercurius Van Helmont, collected rare manuscripts, and was an accomplished religious poet. This copy of his work with the Adumbratio Kabbalae Christianae, often lacking. Volume One with cabbalistic pencil marginalia. Very Rare.
Condition:
Volume One: engraved title slightly shaved, a few leaves with corner dampstain, intermittent minor spotting, few plates with tiny fold tears. Volume II: title and table with corner dampstain and light spotting, intermittent dampstain/light foxing, moderate browning. Overall in extremely good condition.