Sepher ha-Mikach ve-ha-Mimkar [Treatise on Commercial Transactions]

AUCTION 38 | Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 129

HAI BEN SHERIRA

Sepher ha-Mikach ve-ha-Mimkar [Treatise on Commercial Transactions]

FIRST EDITION. Title within elaborate wreathed architectural arch. On f.3r. stamp of the collector and scholar Isaac b. Jacob Mordecai Hirschensohn of Jerusalem ff. 96, (2). Light waterstains. Final six leaves tape-repaired. Calf-backed marbled boards. Sm. 4to Vinograd, Venice 950; Habermann, di Gara 214

Venice: Giovanni di Gara 1602

Est: $700 - $900

PRICE REALIZED $1,000

A code of practice for Jewish merchants by R. Hai Gaon, who was the last of the great Geonim of Mesopotamia. It was translated from the Arabic original (Kitab al-Shira wa-al-Baye) by R. Isaac al-Barceloni. Included as an appendix, is a brief formulary for contracts which is probably the most ancient in existence. It includes a “Sepher Mashcon” (Contract of Loan) which shows the methods of Jewish money-lenders. See EJ, Vol. VII, col. 1131