(RaMBa”N). Peirush HaTorah [commentary to the Pentateuch]
AUCTION 65 |
Thursday, June 25th,
2015 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Ceremonial Objects and Graphic Art
Lot 98
MOSES BEN NACHMAN (NACHMANIDES/.
(RaMBa”N). Peirush HaTorah [commentary to the Pentateuch]
Naples: Joseph ben Jacob Aschkenazi Gunzenhauser 1490
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
After Rashi, the most popular commentary to the Pentateuch is undoubtedly that of Nachmanides, born in Gerona, Catalonia in 1194, and deceased in Eretz Israel in 1270. Where Rashi’s style is laconic and prismatic, Nachmanides’ writing is explicit and prosaic.
After Rome and Lisbon, this is the third incunable edition of Nachmanides commentary to the Torah.
Twenty eight books were printed at the short-lived Hebrew press at Naples which operated from 1480-1500. No doubt the Naples craftsmen would have continued to produce fine books had not the Spanish Expulsion and the subsequent political changes for Jews throughout Europe silenced the activity of the Neapolitan Hebrew presses. See: Amram, The Makers of Hebrew books in Italy, pp. 63-6.