Ganj-Nameh [“The Book of Treasures”]

AUCTION 65 | Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Ceremonial Objects and Graphic Art

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Lot 173

(JUDEO-PERSIAN).

Ganj-Nameh [“The Book of Treasures”]

Manuscript in Judeo-Persian, written on green tinted paper. Previous owner’s signature on verso of final leaf: Asher ben Yehuda Mizrahi. ff. 101. Worn and stained in places, corners rounded, opening leaf torn. Modern calf. 4to.

(Persia): 26th Iyar 1811

Est: $5,000 - $7,000

Emrānī, born in Isfahan in 1454 and died in Kashan in 1536, was one of the most prominent Jewish poets of Persia. His last great work is the present Ganj-Nameh, completed in 1536. It is a free poetic paraphrase of and commentary to the opening four chapters of the Mishnaic tractate Pirkei Avoth, the Ethics of the Fathers. Towards the end of the work the poet mourns the passing of his friends and offers advice to his son in a moral last will and testament. David Yeroushalmi has produced a scholarly treatment: The Judeo-Persian Poet ‘Emrānī and his “Book of Treasure” (1995).