ARIAS MONTANO (Benito). Antiquitatum Judaicarum libri IX, in quis, præter Judææ, Hierosolymorum et Templi Salomonis accuratam delineationem, præcipui sacri ac profani gentis ritus describuntur. Leiden, Officina Plantiniana, François Raphelengius, 1593. In-4, soft vellum, smooth spine, traces of binding (contemporary binding). Very rare first edition of this collection of nine treatises on Hebrew antiquities by the Andalusian orientalist Arias Montano (1527-1598), taken from the important Antwerp Polyglot Bible which he edited from 1568 to 1572. "His nine books of Judaic Antiquities are the most highly regarded. They can also be found in the Antwerp Polyglot and in the great English collections" (Hoefer). One of the very few known copies complete with the 16 plates required. The edition is illustrated with 16 folding plates engraved in intaglio for the Polyglot of 1572 (lettered from A to Q) of plans, maps, architectural views, etc., four of which are signed with the monogram of Pieter Huys and one by Joannes Wiericx. An engraved vignette has been printed in the text, p. 126. Complete copies of all sixteen plates are extremely rare; the two copies described by Adams contain only twelve and fifteen plates respectively. Old handwritten bookplates at the top of the title: Ex hæreditatu domini Ludovici Cadurij [...]; and at the foot: J. Baduc. From the Auvergne libraries of Pellissier de Féligonde, with armorial bookplate and signature, and Château de la Varvasse, with bookplate. Slight vellum wear to the lower corners; some freckling in the text, discreet wetness at the bottom of the last few sections; short tear to a few plates, larger tear to the last plate, but still not missing. Adams, M-1630 - Roehricht, 751.