Nachlath Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

AUCTION 44 | Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 1:00

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

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Lot 4

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC

Nachlath Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

Second Edition. Printer’s device on title (Yaari, Hebrew Printers' Marks 16). Laudatory poem by the Author’s eldest son, Judah (Leone Ebreo) Abrabanel on verso of title. On title, inscription and stamps of Chassidic Rabbi N.B. Friedman. Also, an earlier signature of "Benjamin Pesaro." On final page, inscription of Church censor "Dominico Irosolimitano 1597" (Popper, Pl. III, no. 1). On final blank, in an Italki hand, Hebrew memorials: "Moses son of Isaac Salem deceased 13 August,1629, here Mirandola"; and "Hannah daughter of Isaac Salem deceased 22 October, 1629" ff. 216 (i.e. 215). Few stains, taped repairs in places. Contemporary blind-tooled calf, rebacked. 4to Vinograd, Venice 248; Habermann, Adelkind 18; not in Adams

Venice: Marco Antonio Giustiniani-Adelkind 1545

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,200

In his commentary, Don Isaac struggled to come to terms with the catastrophic suffering Spanish Jewry had endured. Nachlath Avoth is his testimony to the significance of that suffering. For a detailed biography of Abrabarnel’s experiences and philosophical conclusions regarding the Spanish Expulsion, see B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel: Statesman & Philosopher (1968)