Be’atzirath Ha’mageiphah [remedies and preventions for the plague]

AUCTION 13 | Tuesday, June 26th, 2001 at 1:00
Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts Together With Fine Graphic and Ceremonial Art

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Lot 208
Chaim of Lissa.

Be’atzirath Ha’mageiphah [remedies and preventions for the plague]

ONLY EDITION. ff. (6). Last two leaves rehinged, signed by censor on recto of final leaf. Later morocco boards, gently rubbed. 12mo Not recorded by Vinograd, but cf. Vinograd, Frankfurt der Oder 355

Frankfurt der Oder: n.p. 1771

Est: $700 - $1,000
PRICE REALIZED $600
Apparently a unicum Hebrew version of this extremely rare pamphlet. Contains eighteen preventive medical measures against the plague ravaging parts of Europe. The author, who was blind, came to Germany to seek a cure for his blindness. As a gesture of thanks to the Bikur Cholim Society for providing a physician who healed him, he published this pamphlet for the benefit of the community. The introduction attests to the medical efficacy of his lifesaving methods. Apparently, this booklet was issued in three versions - Hebrew, Judeo-German and Polish (see introduction f. 2v). Seemingly, the only recorded edition is the Judeo-German version. This Hebrew version is possibly a unicum. Both Ben Ya’akov, (p. 448, no. 550) and Friedberg, (Vol. 3 p. 809, no. 1060), give the title as “Atzirath Hamageiphah” without the "Beth" prefix in the title. Vinograd catalogues the Judeo-German version with the title “Orach Yamim-Atzirath Hamageiphah”