Auction 46 · Lot 242

(NACHMANIDES. RaMBa”N). Peirush Ha-Torah [Commentary to the Pentateuch]

Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Hammer price: $5,800

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

author

MOSES BEN NACHMAN.

printer

Sons of Soncino

Place

Pesaro

Publication

1513-14

Description

Title within decorative border with ornate floral design (design repeated on f.3); with poem containing the acrostic “Gershom.” Initial words within white-on-black decorative surround.

references

Vinograd Pesaro 34; Mehlman 673

summary

The bookseller and scholar, David Frankel was wont to advise his clients that early Pesaro books are more scarce and prized than many incunabula. After Rashi, the most popular commentary to the Pentateuch is undoubtedly that of Nachmanides (b. Gerona, 1194 - d. Eretz Israel, 1270). The fact that there were as many as three incunabule editions (two within a year of one another) of Nachmanides’ Commentary to the Pentateuch, attests to the immense popularity of the work. According to R. Menachem Eisenstadt in the introduction to his super-commentary, the Pesaro edition is textually the most accurate.

ff. 177 (lacking final blank). Corners rounded. Opening 17 and closing 12 leaves laid down with minimal border loss, some staining, previous owners' signatures in early hand. Modern calf, with slip-case. Sm. folio.

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