(BIBLE IN HEBREW.) Vetus testamentum Hebraicum, cum variis lectionibus. Edidit Benjaminus Kennicott, S.T.P. 2 volumes. Folio, modern

1/2 calf, cloth spine labels; volume 1 preliminaries foxed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1776-80 FIRST EDITION of the first attempt on a large-scale critical edition. "In 1753 and 1759 Kennicott had published two dissertations on the state of the Hebrew text, in which he showed the necessity for undertaking an extensive collation of Hebrew MSS. of the O.T... For ten years Kennicott was engaged in the laborious task of collating Hebrew MSS. in England, and in obtaining collations from co-workers on the continent... Several years elapsed before the vast materials, representing the complete collation, or at least the partial examination of over 600 MSS., could be digested and put in order" --Darlow & Moule 5160.