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Unrecorded edition of the story of Tobias

[DEVOTION].
De historie vanden ouden Tobias ende synen sone den jongen Tobias inhoudende vele schoone leeringen: hoe een vader synen sone onderwijsen sal, ende hoe een God-vreesende kint synen vader onderdanigh wesen sal. Noch de historie van de groote kloeckheydt der edelder weduwe Judith. Noch de geschiedenisse van de eerbare vrouwe Susanna met het vonnisse van den jongen Daniel. Item, de historie van de koninginne Esther.

With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.<BR>

With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.<BR>

With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.<BR>

With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.<BR>

With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.<BR>



Dordrecht, Widow Niclaes Vincenten van Spierings-hoeck (the widow of Niclaes Vincentsz. van Spierinxhouck), 1638. Small 4to. Modern half red calf with marbled boards, gilt title on spine. With four woodcuts on title, each depicting a scene from the biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther, and the same 4 woodcuts repeated at the beginning of each story, title and last page within typogr. woodcut borders.
(36) pp. (Collation: A8, B10).

Unrecorded edition of this rare educational and devotional booklet, printed at Dordrecht by the widow of Niclaes Vincentsz. van Spieringxhouc with the four biblical stories of Tobias, Judith, Susanna and Esther.
The first edition in Dutch and French was published in Antwerp by Jan van Loe in 1547 (and 1551). Further editions followed till far into the eighteenth century.
The STCN (and Gruys & De Wolf, Thesaurus 1473-1800 (1989), p. 166) only mention one year (1638!) in which the widow Spierinxhouck would have published a book (our edition?). The source of this statement is not traceable, nor is known to which book(s) the statement is referring (information of the STCN, September 2007). Our book would be the only copy left of a book published by her after she apparently had taken over the publishing house of her husband Niclaes Vincentsz. van Spierinxhouck (ca. 1585-1636) who was active in Dordrecht from 1612-35).

The collection of these four biblical stories is not coincidental and was used already in the fifteenth century in Florence by Lucrezia Tornabuoni, the mother of Lorenzo il Magnifico, as good examples to educate her children:
Tobias (f. 1v-6r) as an example how to educate your son ("Hoe een vader synen sone onderwijsen sal'). Tobias is carried away captive to Niniveh, but recuperated under the next king. Burying the death brought him problems (1:16: In the days of Shalmaneser I performed many acts of charity to my brethren. 1:17 I would give my bread to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw any one of my people dead and thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury him. He is blinded by the hot droppings of the sparrows (see woodcut).
Judith (f. 6v-12r) as an example for courage. Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for being unwilling to engage their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal if reluctant maid Abra to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, to whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him both sexual favors and information on the Israelites. Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night as he lays in a drunken stupor. She decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved by the hand of a woman.
Susanna (f. 12r-14r) as an example for chastity (Daniel, 13). Susanna married Joakim, a very rich man of Babylon at whose house the elders of the Jews met and where they held their trials. Joakin had a walled garden at this house and it was to this garden that his beautiful wife would resort when the elders came. Two of the judges became obsessed with Susanna because of her beauty and lusted after her. One very hot day, Susanna and her two maids went into the garden and Susanna decided to take a bath. The elders, who were already inside the garden, ran up and demanded that Susanna yield to them: 'If you refuse, we shall give evidence against you that there was a young man with you and that was why you sent your maids away'. Susanna groaned and said, 'I see no way out. If I do this thing the penalty is death; if I do not, you will have me at your mercy. My choice is made: it is better to be at your mercy than to sin against the Lord' (1:21-23). The elders promptly accused her, shocking everyone, for her reputation was spotless. The elders proclaimed their story and demanded her death. The young Daniel, however, is inspired by the Lord to come to Susanna's aid. Daniel proceeds to have the elders separated and questions them about the details of their story. When they disagree, he proclaims their crime and the people turn upon them and they are stoned to death according to the law of Moses.
Esther (f. 14r-18r) as an example for intelligence. The Biblical book of Esther describes how a Jewish woman marries to the Persian king Ahasverus (Xerxes) and protects, as queen, her people when a courtier named Haman attempts to destroy the Jews. The Jews still commemorate their rescue during the Purim festival.(On f. 18v are three prayers).

Good copy.- (Some minor staining).
J. Alleblas, 16e en 17e eeuwse Dordtse uitgevers- en drukkersmerken (1983), cf. 'Maart'; not in STCN:  Muller/ De Vries/ Scheepers; Van Heuck; Waller; Debaene;  etc. This edition not found recorded.

Related Subjects: 17th Century  Children's Books  Devotion  Education  Netherlands 

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