Auction 3 · Lot 16

Masath Moshe [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]

Estimate: $500–$700
Hammer price: $850

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

author

ALSHEICH, MOSES

printer

Daniel Zanetti

Place

Venice

Publication

1601

Description

FIRST EDITION. Five woodcut illustrations on f.83v. Endpapers carry Hebrew manuscript family-register in an Italian hand, also signature of Jacob ben David Pardo of Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

references

Vinograd, Venice 931

summary

The illustrations representing the four principle characters of the Esther story (Ahasuerus, Haman, Mordechai and Queen Esther) had in fact been taken from di Gara’s Hagadah printed two years earlier (see lot 78). The fifth illustration was originally to represent the Passover Seder. Here it has been retitled to represent visitors bringing gifts of food (Mishloach Manoth) to celebrants seated at a Purim Banquet. See M. Friedman, Transplanted Illustrations in Jewish Printed Books, in: Jewish Art (1988) Vol. XIV pp. 44-55

ff. 86. Variously worn and stained, previous owner’s inscriptions on front free-endpaper, stamp of the Husiatyn bookseller David Frankel on title. Loose in old calf, worn. 8vo

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