[one line in Syriac, then] Novum Domini nostri Jesu Christi Testamentum Syriacum, cum versione Latina. by Bible. N.T. Syriac. 1709

Lugduni Batavorum: Apud typis Joh: Mulleri, Joh: Fil:; Vid: & fil: Cornelium Boutesteyn, & Samuelem Luchtmans 4to (23.5 cm; 9.125"). [5] ff., 749, [1 (blank)] pp.. 1709 A major work in the history of printing and an important edition of the New Testament in Syriac. Its significance in the history of printing is that this edition of the Syriac New Testament is widely held to be => one of the first two books printed from an early version of stereotype plate developed by Muller during the first decade of the 18th century; there are two states of the title-page, one with the date 1708 and this. Further, as the first edition of the text edited by Johannes Leusden (1624–99) and Carolus Schaaf (1646–1729), two of the leading scholars of Syriac in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it quickly revealed itself as one scholars could rely upon and it became, in essence, the "textus receptus" of the Syriac N.T. The editors did not see eye to eye on the matter of pointing, and up through Luke 17:26 Leusden's preference (based on the Chaldean system) was used — after which Schaaf began using the system favored by the Walton Polyglott — Leusden having died at that editorial point in the project! The title-page here is printed in red and black, with the title in Syriac at its head and an engraved printer's device below. There are head- and tailpieces and decorative initials in the text, which is printed with the Syriac text in parallel columns with a Latin translation, in double-column format. => A handsome production.

Recent qaurter brown calf, old style: raised bands, gilt ruling above and below the bands as accents, gilt center devices in spine compartments. new endpapers, boards with a green and black stone pattern marbled paper. Age-toning, staining from exposure to damp, browning; none of this at distressing levels. => Withal, a good copy of a work important to multiple audiences.