First Spanish Bible

First Printing of the Bible in Spanish
The Cassiodoro de Reina Bible of 1569

In the past, 1569 Spanish Bear Bibles has been offered for over $60,000, however we are able to offer this one at a very attractive price.

[Bible in Spanish.] La Biblia, que es, los sacros libros del Vieio y Nueuo Testamento. Trasladada en Espanol. [Isaiah 40:8 in Spanish][Basel: Guarinus, 1569.]

The earliest edition of the complete Bible in Spanish. Stout quarto size in eights.
235 x 180mm. Roman and Hebrew type on title-page, text printed in double columns. Title-page with bear vignette of Samuel Apiarius (Biener) and typographical ornament at head, two woodcut illustrations in the preface, numerous woodcut initials. (Lacking blank after title, final blank.)
Very rare final quire a.i. – [a.iiii., blank] -- is wanting, as usual. Darlow & Moule title-page variant A. The books are arranged in the order usually followed in contemporary editions of the Latin Vulgate. Old full calf, worn at extremities, head of spine chipped; joints tender but well-corded.

Translated by Cassiodoro de Reina (c. 1520 – 1594), one of the Spanish Reformers, a native of Seville, who escaped from Spain about 1577. He settled in London until 1563, and afterwards lived mostly in Frankfort-on-Main. His translation of the Old Testament is based on the Hebrew, for which purpose he followed mainly the Latin translation of Sanctes Pagninus (though he evidently had a knowledge of Hebrew). For the New Testament, he seems to have expected to incorporate a version which in 1567 was being printed in Paris; but this was apparently suppressed, and he was obliged to prepare his own translation, basing it on the Greek editions in print.

Darlow and Moule 8472. Adams B1206. Palau 28941.





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