Sepher ha-Emunoth

Estimate: $2,000–$2,500
Hammer price: Not recorded

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

author

Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov

printer

Abraham Usque

Place

Ferrara

Publication

1556

Description

First edition. Printer’s mark (armillary sphere, verse from Psalms, anchor, and initials AU) appears both on title and final page. (For explanation of printer’s mark, see below Summary.)

references

Vinograd, Ferrara 37; Fürst III, p. 266; not in Adams.

summary

Anti-Maimonidean work of philosophy. One of his choice remarks is: “The opinions of the rabbi [Maimonides] are even worse than the opinions of Aristotle, because he is a Jew” (Sepher ha-Emunoth, 15b, 112a). Shem Tov meant by this that common Jews would be led astray by Maimonides’ views whereas there was no such danger vis-`a-vis those of Aristotle

ff. 116. Mispagination: (as in all copies) p. “13” should read “15” and vice versa. Two leaves at end contain a passage from Zohar, which printer says followed all copies of the manuscript of Sepher ha-Emunoth Title page loose, final fews leaves contain some slight marginal worming not affecting text; few words censored but readable through light brown ink. Slight staining otherwise a good wide margined copy Recent marbled boards, rubbed. 4to

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