The 'Hebreusche grammatica ofte taal-konst' from 1627 is one of the gems from the library that the couple Postma-Gosker donated to the VU in 2012. For forty years Ferenc Postma and Margriet Gosker collected hundreds of rare books. Their unprecedented passion for and knowledge of old prints resulted in a unique library, in which academic prints from the University of Franeker, among others, occupy an important place.
One of the first purchases
Bound with 'The 'Hebreusche grammatica ofte taal-konst' is an 'Ebreusch word-book' from 1628. Both were written by Sixtinus Amama. In 'We do not seek, we find' Prof. Ferenc Postma says: This was certainly one of my first purchases. Very few copies of these booklets have survived in the Netherlands. They are not only rare, but also of great scientific value. This booklet gives us insight into both Hebrew and the Dutch language of the early seventeenth century.'
'Learning-interested Dutch'
The glossaries consist of three parts. First we see the Hebrew word, then follows the Hebrew pronunciation and finally we get the Dutch translation. Professor Amama compiled this first Hebrew grammar in Dutch 'tot dienste der leer-gierige Nederlanders'. So not only for the benefit of the academics, but also for people from outside the university.
Homage
The VU's collection of old prints - books printed before 1801 - consists largely of collector's libraries that came to the VU by gift or purchase. This Hebrew grammar will be given a place in the top exhibit as a tribute to all those collectors and donors.
