Minchath Kohen [on the Masorah]

AUCTION 61 | Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic Art and Ceremonial Objects

Back to Catalogue Download Catalogue

Lot 158
JOSEPH BEN SHNEUR HACOHEN.

Minchath Kohen [on the Masorah]

<<FIRST EDITION.>> ff. 83 (of 84, lacking final errata leaf). Variously stained, lower corner of title repaired. Recent calf-backed marbled boards, rubbed. 12mo. Vinograd Const. 322; Yaari, Const. 240; St. Cat. Bodl. 6006 (lib. rarus).

Kuru Cesme: Dona Reyna widow of the illustrious Duke Don Joseph Nasi 1597

Est: $10,000 - $12,000
PRICE REALIZED $13,000
<<EXCEPTIONALY RARE.>> Following the death in 1593 of the Constantinople-based Hebrew printer Solomon Jabez, Dona Reyna widow of the illustrious Don Joseph Nasi, used the remaining inheritance left to her (following the expropriation of much of her wealth) to establish a printing-press in her Palace of Belvedere in nearby Orta-Koy. For reasons unclear, the press was soon transferred to Kuru-Cesme, another suburb of Constantinople. Thus, “the noble lady of noble lineage” became the first Jewish woman to establish a printing-press. This work emphasizes the proper spelling of various words in the Torah. In the introduction the author writes of the importance of the work for scribes and readers of the Torah in synagogues, alongside a scholarly discussion pertaining to the Masorah.