Auction 2 · Lot 347

Sepher Hazohar [“The Book of Splendor”]

Estimate: $5,000–$6,000
Hammer price: $5,000

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

SHIMON B”R YOCHAI (Attributed to. “Revealed” to Moses b. Shem Tov de Leon).

printer

Meir b. Ephraim of Padua and Jacob Hakohen of Gazolo

Place

Mantua

Publication

1558-60

Description

FIRST EDITION. Five parts in three volumes. Complete with four titles each within architectural arch. ff.(8), 251, 269, 300

references

Vinograd, Mantua 51,61 and 69; Wiener 3384; not in Adams

summary

This, the most classic of Jewish mystical texts was printed amidst fierce controversy. Many among Rabbinic and Kabbalistic circles feared the printing of such an esoteric work; its meaning might be distorted by Christians in support of their faith, and the majority of Jews themselves would be confused by the implications of the Zohar’s mystical teachings. A textually inferior reprint by Vincenzo Conti of Cremona immediately followed this Mantua edition. See G. Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (1941) pp.156-243; D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963) pp.325-27; Carmilly-Weinberger, pp.53-55

Volumes not uniform. Stained in places, previous owner’s marks. Vol. I: opening ff.3 laid to size, portion of outer column of title replaced in manuscript, closing ff.2 frayed at margins, last f. taped, censored. Vol. II: Wide-margined. Opening ff.2 laid to size, closing ff.7 with loss of few words mostly replaced in manuscript, final f. laid to size. Vol III: Opening ff.2 remargined f.38:8 with loss affecting few words. Modern blind-stamped morocco, fitted case, sm. folio

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