THE FIRST GENERAL GEOGRAPHY IN HEBREW, WARSAW 1855-57

BLOCH, Samson Ha-Levi. Shevile ‘olam [Asia and Africa]. Warsaw: H.E. Bomberg, 1855-57. Octavo, contemporary marbled boards rebacked and recornered in brown calf, brown morocco spine label, original endpapers preserved. $800.

Early edition of the first general geography in Hebrew.

Bloch, one of the first Hebrew authors of Moses Mendelssohn’s Enlightenment, wrote altogether four parts for his Shevile ‘olam, although only “Asia” and “Africa” were published during his lifetime (1822 and 1827 respectively). The work achieved a remarkable popularity and went through four editions. Bloch’s depictions of Palestine, its politics, government and demographics are most interesting. Text in Hebrew. Pencil and pen notations to front endpapers, a few institutional inkstamps.

Very good in contemporary boards.