Auction 53 · Lot 40

Akeidath Yitzchak [philosophical and allegorical homilies to the Pentateuch]

Estimate: $500–$700
Hammer price: $400

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

author

ARAMA, ISAAC

printer

Daniel Bomberg

Place

Venice

Publication

1547

Description

Second edition. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Opening word of each part within an elaborate border. Inscription on f. 4b stating this volume was purchased in Yemen.

references

Vinograd, Venice 326; Habermann, Bomberg 195; not in Adams

summary

Affectionately known as the “Ba’al Akeida,” Isaac Arama's work has been consistently quoted and utilized, especially by Polish preachers until the present day. His great popularity stems from his stylistic combination of the Aschkenazic didactic and moralizing style with the philosophic tendency popular among Spanish and Provencal Jews. The title, “Binding of Isaac,” refers to the successful binding and connecting of the two forms of homiletics: “Derishah” and “Perishah.” See I. Rivkind, Kiryat Sepher, vol. II p. 60.

ff. 309. Stained, upper left corner of title, margins of first few leaves and final four leaves inelegantly repaired and affecting some text, f.296 laid down. Modern elaborately tooled calf boards. Folio

Enquire about this lot