Daniel Bomberg

Daniel Bomberg

Daniel Bomberg was a Christian printer active in Venice from approximately 1517 to 1549. It is believed he was born sometime in the 1480s in Antwerp to Cornelius van Bomberghen , who taught him how to print and make types. There is debate as to when Bomberg printed his first Hebrew book, ranging anywhere from 1511 to 1517. Unfortunately there are no surviving copies of his first Hebrew books to settle this debate. It is known, however, that Bomberg recruited Jewish assistants and applied for and was granted both copyright for his books and patents for his Hebrew types in 1515. This copyright was repealed in 1518 after the Venetian Senate passed legislation that revoked prior copyright granted to printers in an effort to relax competition and encourage the growth of the Venetian press. After reapplying for the copyright, Bomberg was again granted privileges which expired after seven years. Bomberg’s applications to renew his copyright later in his career were accompanied by unusually large fees of several hundred ducats in order to secure these necessary privileges to continue printing Hebrew books.

Bomberg’s renowned editions of the Hebrew Bible and Talmud, amongst other works, were admired by both Jewish consumers and Christian Hebraists. His clientele reached far beyond Italy to communities in places as far as Crimea and Syria. His books were famous not only for their completeness and quality of their editing but also because of his fine Hebrew types, which were eagerly sought after by other Venetian printers of Hebrew books. Several printers attempted to imitate his types and after his death around 1549, Giovanni di Gara acquired the majority of them. It is said Bomberg invested so much into the printing materials, including paper, engravings and types, that he died a poor man. Approximately 230 Hebrew books were printed at Bomberg's presses.

Pictured here is the title page of "Hamishah Humshe Torah" (Pentateuch) and the first page of "Bereshit" (Genesis).

Amram, David Werner. The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy: Being Chapters in the History of the Hebrew Printing. Philadelphia: J.H. Greenstone, 1909.

Bloch, Joshua. "Venetian Printers of Hebrew Books." In Hebrew Printing and Bibliography, 63-88. New York: New York Public Library and Ktav Publishing House, 1976.

Jewish Encyclopedia

Digital Image: Washington University in Saint Louis

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