Auction 65 · Lot 106

(Attributed to). Ma’arecheth Ha’elo-huth [Kabbalah]. With two commentaries, the anonymous “Paz” and Judah Chayyat.

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

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

author

PERETZ BEN ISAAC HAKOHEN

printer

Meir ben Ephraim of Padua

Place

Mantua

Publication

1558

Description

Second edition.

references

Vinograd, Mantua 52; Adams P-667.

summary

Judah Chayat’s introduction contains a fascinating autobiographical account of the expulsion of Jews from Portugal, describing his own trials and tribulations including capture by pirates. For recent scholarly opinion in regard to authorship, see “On the Problem of Sepher Ma’arecheth Ha’Elo-huth and its Commentaries” in: Gershom Scholem, Studies in Kabbalah I, pp. 171-188. Prof. Ephraim Gottlieb has identified the author of the anonymous commentary as R. Reuben Sarfati. See S. Heller-Wilensky and M. Idel (eds.) Mechkarim Behaguth Yehudith (Jerusalem, 1989), pp. 357-369. Provenance: Sotheby’s, April 20th 1982, lot 242 (Valmadonna copy).

ff. 4, 208. Trace stained, signature of former owner on title and first leaf “Moshe Laufer,” stamp crudely effaced on f.2, slight marginal paper repair on a few leaves not affecting text, otherwise an attractive copy. Modern blind-tooled calf. 4to.

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