BAT-SHEBA:

A family of printers, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, whose name originates from the feminine name "Bath-sheba." The printer Mattathia Bat-Sheba, who died at Salonica toward the close of 1600, is the first known representative of the name. His two sons, Joseph Abraham and Abraham, continued the business of their father at Salonica from 1592 to 1605. The printing-establishment was founded with the support of many patrons in Venice, and numerous important and beautiful specimens of printers' work were issued from it. The mark of the establishment was a figure, half lion, half eagle, with crowns; and this sign recurs in the prints at Verona, in the production of which Abraham Bat-Sheba participated (1594-95). It is probable that the latter subsequently lived at Damascus. There is a single book published at Damascus, in 1606, entitled "Kesef Nibḥar," by Josiah Pinto; and this was issued from the house of-Abraham ben Mattathia Bat-Sheba. The Bat-Shebas who later achieved distinction in Prague were probably members of the same family. Among the best known of these was Jacob Bassevi von Treuenberg, who in 1622 was elevated to the Austrian nobility.

Bibliography:
  • Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. Nos. 7860-7862;
  • Ersch and Gruber, Encyklopädie, ii. 28, 41;
  • Hock, Gal 'Ed. p. 24.
G. A. F.
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