Auction 50 · Lot 135

(The Elder). Lev Avoth [commentary to Ethics of the Fathers, with text]

Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
Hammer price: $1,700

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

author

HALEVI, SOLOMON BEN ISAAC

printer

(Joseph Ya’abetz)

Place

Salonika

Publication

1565

Description

FIRST EDITION

references

Vinograd, Salonika 66; Adams M-1481

summary

A member of the Portuguese Bet Halevi family, Solomon ben Isaac was born in Salonika. After a short period serving as rabbi of Uskub, Yugoslavia, he returned to his hometown, where his devotion to communal service earned him the appellation “HaZaken” (The Elder). See EJ II, col. 85-6. One of the earliest complete commentaries to the Pirkei Avoth. In the introduction, the author states he completed an early draft of the work just prior to his engagement and thereafter read it over to his bride before publication

ff. 128. Previous owners' signatures and stamp on title, including Zev Elimelech Shapiro of Brody, inscription on recto of final leaf in a Sephardic hand, extensive marginalia mostly on the first chapter in a 19th-century Ashkenazic hand. Title repaired with small loss of few words on verso, stained, some worming repaired. Modern calf-backed marbled boards. Sm. 4to

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