Sepher Tziyoni [Kabbalistic homilies to the Pentateuch, with poems]

AUCTION 47 | Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 1:00

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

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Lot 273

TZIYONI, MENACHEM OF SPEYER.

Sepher Tziyoni [Kabbalistic homilies to the Pentateuch, with poems]

Second edition. Title and chapter headings with woodblock historiated initials. Replete with rabbinic marginalia ff.110. Mispaginated (as usual) though complete. Trimmed and stained, title repaired, previous owners' marks. Modern morocco. Sm. 4to Vinograd, Cremona 31; Benayahu, Cremona 27 and pp. 80-3 (illustrated)

Cremona: Vicenzo Conti 1560

Est: $500 - $700

PRICE REALIZED $550

Upon issue in 1559, the entire first edition of the Tziyoni was seized and destroyed by the Dominican Friars of Cremona, zealously seeking to enforce Pope Paul IV’s Index of that year. See D. Amram, the Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963), pp. 310-15. For information on the author, his descendants and his kabbalistic method, see Sh. Weiss, Tsefunei Tziyoni (1985), introduction; and B. Huss, Demonology and Magic in the Writings of R. Menahem Ziyyoni in Kabbalah, Vol. X (2004) pp. 55-72