Sepher Tziyoni [Kabbalistic homilies to the Pentateuch, with poems]

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

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

author

MENACHEM TZIYONI BEN MEIR OF SPEYER.

printer

Vicenzo Conti

Place

Cremona

Publication

1560

Description

Second edition (first edition of 1559 entirely destroyed by the Dominican Friars of Cremona zealously seeking to enforce Pope Paul IV’s Index). Title and chapter headings with woodblock historiated initials. The final two leaves contain two lengthy poems that do not appear in later editions. Weiss republished them in his Tsefunei Tziyoni (pp. 92-4) emphasizing “the astonishing wonders hidden therein.”

references

Vinograd, Cremona 31; Benayahu, Cremona 27 and pp. 80-3 (illustrated).

summary

The Author writes that by a mystic combination of letters, the Ineffable Name of God can be written. However the printer states that due to their intense sanctity, he decided not to print such, instead leaving the intended space blank for the reader to inscribe the symbols if he so chooses (see f. 43).

ff. 110. Mispaginated (as usual) though complete, some staining, previous owner’s signatures and inscriptions on title including Dr. Michael Sachs and M. Gaster, pencil markings of previous owner, signature of censor on final leaf. Later boards. Sm. 4to.

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