Minchah Belulah [homilies to the Pentateuch]

Estimate: $600–$900
Hammer price: $750

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

author

RAPA, ABRAHAM MENACHEM BEN JACOB HAKOHEN OF PORTO.

printer

Francesco delle Donne

Place

Verona

Publication

1594

Description

FIRST EDITION. The Mayer Sulzberger copy. Title with woodcut device within typographic border, initial word of each of the Five Books within elaborate historiated frame, five sectional tail-pieces. Rapoport Family escutcheon on f.207r.

references

Vinograd, Verona 3; Adams A-27

summary

Whilst a young man, the author was apprenticed as a proof-reader at the House of Bragadin in Venice. There he witnessed the violent Burning of the Talmud pursuant to the Papal Bull of 1553. On f.203r of the present work, Rapaport records the tragic event and notes his decision to commemorate the anniversary of the Auto-da-Fe as a personal fast-day for the rest of his life. See A. Yaari, Sereiphath Hatalmud B’Italia in: Mechkarei Sepher (1958) pp. 198-233

ff. (3), 13, 15-207. Signed (twice) by censor Clemente Renatto, head-note soiled through first half of volume, trace wormed, generally not affecting text. 19th-century boards, upper cover detached, lower cover lacking. 4to

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