Auction 38 · Lot 168

Arba’ah Turim [Rabbinic Code of Law]

Estimate: $20,000–$25,000
Hammer price: $21,000

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

author

JACOB BEN ASHER.

printer

Chaim bar David, Yoseph bar Yakar, Yitzchak bar Chaim

Place

Augsburg

Publication

1540

Description

Title page without ornamentation. On f.7 ornate woodcut border by Hans Holbein the Younger depicting the Creation, architectural pillars flanked by Kings David and Solomon clutching scrolls inscribed “The Path of Life (Orach Chaim) Journeys Upwards for the Wise” (Proverbs 15:24). Poem at end by Elijah Levita. On final blank of Part. III (Even ha-Ezer), signature of former owner: "Moshe ben Meir, wont to study in the community of Frankfurt, and drawing living waters from my teacher the Great Gaon [illegible], residing now in the city of Nida near Darmstadt, Sunday, New Moon Elul, 5510 [1650]"

references

Vinograd, Augsburg 11; Adams J-14; St. Cat. Bodl. 5500

summary

Jacob ben Asher’s Tur. A Rare and Important German Edition. A fundamental Rabbinic treatise embracing all the laws and customs incumbent both on an individual and the Community as a whole. Its over-riding authority has been recognised and accepted by Jewish scholars for generations

ff. 84, 70, 2, 44, 112. Complete, although Steinschneider notes a copy with a 2-leaf index at end. Part II, f.24 tear at top, partial loss of header. Stained, trimmed. Modern half-calf. Sm. folio. As almost a most copies, lacking final two leaves (3-pp. Indices)

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