Mateh Dan / Cuzari Chelek Sheni

Estimate: $600–$900
Hammer price: $600

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

author

NIETO, DAVID

printer

Thomas Ilive

Place

London

Publication

1714

Description

FIRST EDITION. Hebrew with Dedication leaf in Spanish. Decorated title, architectural arch incorporating portrait-roundel of Judah the Prince flanked by armor-suited angels. Initials and tailpieces. Printed in two columns. Learned Hebrew marginalia on ff. 5r. and 32v

references

Vinograd, London 5; Roth, London 5; Steinschneider 4834-5

summary

Haham of the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue in London, David Nieto (1654-1728) composed the Mateh Dan as a defense of rabbinic Judaism from the scorn of free-thinking former Marranos. Nieto considered his work a continuation of the tradition of Judah Halevi’s Cuzari (Fano, 1506) a philosophical exposition of Judaism, opposing the attacks of Karaites, heretics and other creeds

ff. (6),118. Title rehinged, few tears, browned and dampwrinkled. Later boards. 4to

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