Arba’ah Turim [Code of Law]

Estimate: $60,000–$80,000
Hammer price: $50,000

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

author

JACOB BEN ASHER OF TOLEDO.

printer

David and Samuel ibn Nachmias

Place

Constantinople

Publication

1493

Description

Four parts in two volumes.

references

Vinograd Constantinople 1;Yaari, Constantinople, 1; Goff 49; (5 copies of which 3 are imperfect); Goldstein 104; Offenberg 63; Steinschneider p 1182, No. 5500.3; Thes. C 1; Wineman Cat. 65 ; Mehlman, Genuzot Sepharim, p.104. Not in Cambridge University

summary

THE FIRST BOOK TO BE PRINTED IN ANY LANGUAGE IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST. THE ONLY HEBREW INCUNABLE TO BE PRINTED IN CONSTANTINOPLE. The dating of this book has provoked intense debate among leading Hebrew bibliographers for nearly two centuries. Although the colophon here clearly notes the Arba’ah Turim was printed on Friday

Vol I: ff. 186. * Vol. II. ff. 204. In total ff. 390 (of 408), lacking first eleven leaves (seven index leaves and first four leaves, of which nine leaves are provided in facsimile), final two leaves (provided in facsimile), and blanks. Section Orach Chaim of first volume remargined with traces of worming, first fifteen leaves restored with portions of text supplied in facsimile. Marginal notes on ff. 136,140, 248 b. Modern calf. Folio

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