Masa’ath Moshe [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]

AUCTION 83 | Thursday, June 20th, 2019 at 1:00pm

Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Holy Land Maps, Ceremonial Objects, Fine & Graphic Art

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Lot 32

ALSHEICH, MOSES

Masa’ath Moshe [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]

<<FIRST EDITION>>. Five woodcut illustrations on f. 83v depicting characters from the Esther narrative. ff. 86. Trimmed, variously worn and stained, ff. 18-21 soiled, final leaf with taped repair along upper margin. Modern boards. 8vo. Vinograd, Venice 931

Venice: Daniel Zanetti 1601

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,000

The illustrations representing the four principle characters of the Esther story (King Ahasuerus, Haman, Mordechai and Queen Esther) had in fact been taken from di Gara’s Hagadah printed two years earlier. The fifth illustration was originally to represent the Passover Seder. Here it has been retitled to represent visitors bringing gifts of food (Mishloach Manoth) to celebrants seated at a Purim Banquet. See M. Friedman, Transplanted Illustrations in Jewish Printed Books, in: Jewish Art (1988) Vol. XIV pp. 44-55.