(RaDa”K). Sepher HaShorashim [“Book of Roots”: Biblical Lexicon]

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 169

KIMCHI, DAVID.

(RaDa”K). Sepher HaShorashim [“Book of Roots”: Biblical Lexicon]

Second Edition. Text in square Hebrew typeface, Biblical references in sidebars in Rabbinic type ff. (143). Corners rounded, opening eight and closing five leaves remargined affecting text, slight marginal wormholes, some staining. Modern blind-tooled morocco. Folio Vinograd, Naples 12; Goff 39; Goldstein 72; Offenberg 105; Steinschneider, p. 873, no. 4821, 43; Thes. A66; Wineman Cat. 39

Naples: Azriel ben Joseph Aschkenazi Gunzenhauser 1490

Est: $20,000 - $30,000

PRICE REALIZED $18,000

COMPLETE COPY OF THE Sepher haShorashim. THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LEXICOGRAPHICAL WORK FOR THE STUDY OF HEBREW LANGUAGE The foundation of Hebrew grammar and lexicography were laid by Sa’adiah Gaon in the 10th century. The formation of Hebrew grammatical rules was essential to facilitate the study and understanding of the Bible. According to Joshua Bloch, the Sepher HaShorashim with it’s “very rich collection of lexicographic material...increased the knowledge of the Hebrew language. This (Kimchi) accomplished with...numerous new etymologies as well as...new comparisons with post-biblical Hebrew.” Its popularity is evident from the fact that two editions appeared in Naples within a period of five months. See EJ, X col. 1002 The Gunzenhausers, pioneers in Hebrew printing, went to Naples from Gunzehausen in Southern Germany. There they established a press, assembled a talented team of typsetters and proof-readers (includng Samuel ben Meir Latif, the proofreader and editor of this edition) and between the years 1487-1492 produced in sum twelve books