Hands-On Tour: Early Hebrew Books (3/24/17)

Scattered among the Rosenbach’s collection of 15th-century, printed books known by bibliophiles as incunabula are among the first books printed in the Hebrew language. Each has its own visual beauty and its own story to tell about early printing in Europe, local cultural tensions, change, and continuity. Whether you are a reader of Hebrew or not, you can engage with these volumes and learn about early works of philosophy and faith, see what makes an Italian prayerbook unusual—as well as rare, in this case—and recognize the difference between an achievement in printing and a triumph. We’ll then venture slightly towards modernity to see how Hebrew books fared in the 17th and 18th centuries. We’ll look at books that originated in modern-day Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as the United States.

Created especially for visitors who seek an in-depth and focused look at our collection, Hands-On Tours allow you unparalleled access to rare and important items that are not usually on view to the public. Depending on the tour, you will have the chance to handle historic items, be it by turning the page of a rare book, testing the weight of a delicate teacup, or reading from a manuscript. Click here for a list of all themes and an up-to-date schedule.

Hands-On Tours are offered almost every Friday at 3:00 p.m. Advance registration is strongly recommended, as there are a limited number of spots on each tour and tours without registrants 48 hours in advance will be cancelled. To register, purchase via Eventbrite, call (215)732-1600, ext. 100 or e-mail rsvp@rosenbach.org.

Any open spots on a tour will become available to drop-in visitors on a first-come first-served basis at noon on the day of the tour. If you plan to drop-in for a Hands-On Tour, please call (215)732-1600 and dial “0” to confirm that the tour is being offered.