Hagadah shel Pesach. With commentary by Isaac Abrabanel.

AUCTION 62 | Thursday, June 26th, 2014 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic and Ceremonial Art

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Lot 84

(HAGADAH).

Hagadah shel Pesach. With commentary by Isaac Abrabanel.

Text in square Hebrew letters with nikud (vowel points), Abrabanel’s wraparound commentary in Rashi letters, concluding Aschkenazic hymns provided with Judeo-German translations in square Hebrew letters. Additional engraved title depicting large figures of Moses and Aaron beneath depiction of the Burning Bush. Numerous engraved copper-plate illustrations within the text. Complete with <<FINE FOLDING ENGRAVED HEBREW MAP OF THE HOLY LAND>> indicating the travels in the Wilderness and the division of the Land among the Tribes of Israel. All accomplished by the proselyte Abram ben Jacob. ff. (1), 26, (1). Map and engraved title laid down, small loss to lower left corner of title, heavy folds and few small tears to map, variously stained. Later marbled boards, worn. Folio. Yudlov 93; Yaari 59; Yerushalmi 59-62

Amsterdam: Asher Anshel & Partners 1695

Est: $6,000 - $9,000

PRICE REALIZED $9,500

<<The First Illustrated Amsterdam Hagadah.>> This is the first Hagadah (and one of the first ever Hebrew books) issued with copper engravings. It also contains a folding map of the Land of Israel that was one of the earliest to contain Hebrew type. “The illustrations most widely copied in illuminated manuscripts … and in hundreds of printed editions are those which first appeared in [the 1695, Amsterdam edition.]” (See A.J. Karp, From the Ends of the Earth, pp. 78-90, 99-100). It is thus appropriate that this is the first edition of any Hagadah that identifies who the illustrator was - Abraham b. Jacob, a Christian pastor who converted to Judaism. See B. Roth, Printed Illustrated Haggadoth in: Areshet III (1961), pp. 22-25. The Hagadah was intended for both Aschkenazic and Sephardic audiences, witnessed by the fact that it provides both liturgical versions of the Grace after Meals (Birkath HaMazon).