Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (SeMa”G) [“The Great Book of Commandments”: Enumeration of the 613 precepts].

AUCTION 79 | Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at 1:00 PM

The Valmadonna Trust Library: Further Selections from the Historic Collection. * Hebrew Printing in America. * Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 112

MOSES OF COUCY

Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (SeMa”G) [“The Great Book of Commandments”: Enumeration of the 613 precepts].

Second edition. Woodcut initials and incipit panels. Marginalia. Valmadonna librarian and custodian collation notes. ff. 83 (of 280). Primarily consisting of signatures 6-13 of Part I and signatures 1-5 of Part II. Stained in places, some worming, gutters repaired, occasional loss, trimmed. Valmadonna-custom morocco-backed marbled boards. Sm. folio. Vinograd, Soncino 37; Goff Heb-85; Thes. A-48; Goldstein 58; Offenberg 95; Iakerson 36.

Soncino: Gershom Soncino 1488

Est: $5,000 - $7,000

PRICE REALIZED $4,000

The first book printed by Gershom Soncino. The second incunable edition of this extensive work, the first edition of which was issued in Rome, c.1469-72. Following Maimonides’ Code, the Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol is the most significant work of this Halachic genre. A major stylistic difference between the two works is that rabbinic precepts are included in the SeMa”G, while the Mishneh Torah only enumerates Biblical commandments. See Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library - Otzroth Ya’akov, Incunables no. 22.