Auction 7 · Lot 570

Sepher Hazohar [“The Book of Splendor”]

Estimate: $2,000–$3,000
Hammer price: $1,500

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 & Jacob b. Naphtali Kohen

Place

Mantua

Publication

1558-60

Description

FIRST EDITION. Five parts in three volumes. Title pages within architectural arch. First volume lacking title page. First word of each part within a decorative woodcut border. Marginalia. Made-up copy

references

Vinograd, Mantua 51,61 and 69; 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

ff. (5, of 8), 250. Lacking title page and following two leaves. ff. 268 (of 269) f.259 provided in old hand. ff. 300. Trimmed, variously worn and stained. Modern boards, slip-case. 4to

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