Arba’ah Turim [Rabbinic Code of Law]

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

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

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Lot 168

JACOB BEN ASHER.

Arba’ah Turim [Rabbinic Code of Law]

Title page without ornamentation. On f.7 ornate woodcut border by Hans Holbein the Younger depicting the Creation, architectural pillars flanked by Kings David and Solomon clutching scrolls inscribed “The Path of Life (Orach Chaim) Journeys Upwards for the Wise” (Proverbs 15:24). Poem at end by Elijah Levita. On final blank of Part. III (Even ha-Ezer), signature of former owner: "Moshe ben Meir, wont to study in the community of Frankfurt, and drawing living waters from my teacher the Great Gaon [illegible], residing now in the city of Nida near Darmstadt, Sunday, New Moon Elul, 5510 [1650]" ff. 84, 70, 2, 44, 112. Complete, although Steinschneider notes a copy with a 2-leaf index at end. Part II, f.24 tear at top, partial loss of header. Stained, trimmed. Modern half-calf. Sm. folio. As almost a most copies, lacking final two leaves (3-pp. Indices) Vinograd, Augsburg 11; Adams J-14; St. Cat. Bodl. 5500

Augsburg: Chaim bar David, Yoseph bar Yakar, Yitzchak bar Chaim 1540

Est: $20,000 - $25,000

PRICE REALIZED $21,000

Jacob ben Asher’s Tur. A Rare and Important German Edition. A fundamental Rabbinic treatise embracing all the laws and customs incumbent both on an individual and the Community as a whole. Its over-riding authority has been recognised and accepted by Jewish scholars for generations