Torah Ohr

AUCTION 34 | Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 at 1:00

Exemplary Hebrew Books: The Library of Joseph Gradenwitz, Esq.

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Lot 76

IBN YACHYA, JOSEPH

Torah Ohr

FIRST EDITION. Opening word within ornamental woodcut border. Pictographic introductory poem in the form of the Temple Candelabra on verso of title ff. 36. Stained and worn in places, rehinged. Modern calf. Sm.4to Vinograd, Bologna 13; Mehlman 1202; not in Adams

Bologna: The Company of Silk-Weavers 1538

Est: $1,500 - $2,000

PRICE REALIZED $1,700

Divided into 78 chapters, Torah Ohr deals with Jewish dogma and theology as well as eschatology. The introduction contains interesting biographical information regarding dramatic experiences in the lives of ibn Yachya’s parents. His father, Gedaliya and mother Donna, fled Portugal to Pisa in 1495, but were imprisoned by the French invaders soon after their arrival. For her safety, Donna was obliged to disguise herself as a man. When her true identity was discovered, she escaped assailment by jumping from a high roof. She survived the fall, and soon after gave birth to the author. The family finally settled in the city of Imola, in the province of Bologna