[Judaica] Robertson, William. The First Gate, or the Outward Door to the Holy Tongue, Opened in English... (with) The Second Gate, or the Inner Door to the Holy Tongue...

London: Printed for Evan Tyler, for Humphrey Robinson...and for G. Sawbridge, (1654). Two works in one volume (bound with: The Second Gate, or the Inner Door to the Holy Tongue..., London: Evan Tyler, for Humphrey Robinson, [1655]). First editions:
presumed second issue of first work, with undated title-page and three unnumbered preliminary leaves at front, including additional dated title-page (A Gate or Door... London: Printed by J. Flesher, for Joseph Cranford, 1653). 16mo. (xx), 131, (1); (xxvi), 551 pp. Text printed in Roman and Hebrew type. Full contemporary brown calf, decorated in blind, rebacked, stamped in gilt, tips renewed; edges stained dark; old ownership signature "Richard Fogwell, 1799" on verso of front free endpaper; small chipping to edges of some prelims; scattered light soiling and browning to text; ink stain at center p. 5 in first part; text trimmed close, touching some page numbers, headlines, and catchwords. Wing 1611 and 1618

Scarce first edition of Scottish lexicographer William Robertson's Hebrew-English grammar, one of the earliest and most comprehensive Hebrew manuals printed in English and in England. "A pedagogical revolutionary with an egalitarian message and a passionate and parenthetical style, Robertson believed that Hebrew was not an esoteric language and that almost any man, given plain and careful instruction, could learn Hebrew even without the aid of a teacher so that he might perceive 'truth in its first fountain, and Primitive purity'...He sought to simplify instructional methods and to 'take quite out of the way, those obstructing Mountains of difficultie', stressing the importance of reducing Hebrew words to their roots, and teaching the language by alphabetical principles rather than by scriptural texts" (ODNB).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Judaica] Robertson, William. The First Gate, or the Outward Door to the Holy Tongue, Opened in English... (with) The Second Gate, or the Inner Door to the Holy Tongue...