Auction 63 · Lot 224

(Traditionally attributed to, publicized by R. Moses b. Shem Tov de Leon). Sepher HaZohar [“The Book of Splendor.”] Part I: Bereishith, only.

Estimate: $500–$700
Hammer price: $800

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

author

SHIMON B”R YOCHAI.

printer

Meir b. Ephraim of Padua and Jacob ben Naphtali Hakohen of Gazzuolo

Place

Mantua

Publication

1558

Description

FIRST EDITION . Text in Rashi script. Numerous important, scholarly marginalia throughout, written in various semi-cursive and square 18th-19th century Persian hands. This copy from a rabbinic library in Iran.

references

Vinograd, Mantua 51.

summary

The Kabbalistic marginalia contain corrections and explanatory additions along with citations from an unknown work. Cites Amar Mori Verabi a number of times (ff. 16b, 19b, 24b, 25b); also Mori M. Babai (ff. 45b, 166a, 189a, 212a, 215a; Mori Verabbi …M. Babai (ff. 215b, and 242b). On f. 85a, 93b and 104b the writer who signs himself Aaron ben HaDayan M. Yitzchak Yazdi cites an unpublished work with the title Pardes Shoshan with emendations of the Zoharic text. These marginalia warrant scholarly attention.

ff. 15-249 (of [8], 251, lacks f. 96). Previous owner’s stamps on f. 15a, 208a and 249b, variously stained and worn. Contemporary boards, heavily worn. 4to.

Enquire about this lot