Sepher Tuv Ta’am [on cantillation points and grammatical accents]

Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
Hammer price: $2,600

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

author

LEVITA, ELIJAH BACHUR

printer

Daniel Bomberg

Place

Venice

Publication

1538

Description

FIRST EDITION. Lengthy two page kabbalistc note in a Sephardic hand written on recto and verso of title

references

Vinograd, Venice 155; Mehlman 1234

summary

Levita put forth the theory that the Torah's cantillation points (Trop) were not Sinaitic but rather post-Talmudic in origin. This novel idea, which contradicted that stated in the Talmud (see TB Nedarim 37b and commentaries) became the subject of much controversy. See EJ, Vol. XI, col. 134. This work proved to be so popular that it was immediately republished in Basle, 1539.

pp. 35. Few stains, small tear on final leaf. Modern blind-tooled calf. 8vo

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