[Kabbalah]. Anonymous

AUCTION 14 | Tuesday, November 13th, 2001 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din

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Lot 314

RAZIEL HAMALACH

[Kabbalah]. Anonymous

FIRST EDITION. Title within elaborate woodcut architectural border. Unusual Kabbalistic charts and diagrams throughout ff. 18, [1], 19-45. Trace stained, institutional stamps on title, otherwise a clean crisp copy. Contemporary vellum-backed salmon-stained boards, gilt-tooled foliate frame with sunflower motifs, foliate inner border with central cartouche. 4to Vinograd, Amsterdam 731; Fuks, Amsterdam 573

Amsterdam: Moses Mendes Coitinho 1701

Est: $2,500 - $3,000

PRICE REALIZED $3,000

A Particularly Attractive, Wide-Margined Copy A collection of mystical, magical and cosomological texts whose authorship is traditionally attributed to the Biblical Adam. It is popularly believed that the Book of Raziel’s talismanic powers protects its owner’s home from fire and other dangers. In addition, the title and introduction assures the owner, should the text be studied with purity of mind, he will be blessed with grandchildren who will become great scholars. The first section, known as the Sepher Hamalbush, relates that soon after Adam was exiled from Eden, he prayed to God with remorse. Consequently, the Angel Raziel appeared in order to console Adam. The Angel stated he would impart the wisdom of the Book of Raziel and with the knowledge gained, Adam’s descendants would be equipped to foretell their future. An intricate formula with complex instructions follows, indicating preliminary actions to be performed prior to studying the text