Resurrection of the Hebrew language
Milon HaLashon HaIvrit HaChadashah V’HaYeshenah by Eliezer Ben Yehudah “Reviver of the Hebrew Language.” Berlin-Jerusalem [1909-1947]. First edition of all of the parts – close to 6,000 pages of the dictionary! Elegant set in rare condition. Original bindings, magnificent and embossed.
Original copies of the first edition of one of the most ambitious and important Zionist projects of the modern era, with inestimable value and influence on the Israeli public. The dictionary was arranged by the scholar, author and journalist Eliezer Ben Yehudah, who dedicated his life to the revival of the Hebrew language and adapting it to daily life.
After several failed attempts to print the dictionary with various types of entries, Ben Yehudah began to print the dictionary in its familiar format in Berlin, in 1909. Over the years, printing this dictionary continued and covered [16] volumes, with the last being in 1959, about fifty years after the first volume was printed! After the author’s passing, the dictionary was continued by Moshe Tzvi Segal and Naftali Hertz Tur Sinai (Tortshiner).
The complete dictionary consists of [16] volumes of entries and an introductory volume. These are [12] volumes [Part 1-IX, XI-XII and the introductory volume]. 26.5 cm. Mif’al HaBibliographiah notes that the first volume bears a portrait – lacking here.
Overall fine-very fine condition. Worming perforations in volumes XI-XII. Minimal stains and folds. Original fabric bindings, worn and chafed. One spine is detached.