Auction 72 · Lot 139

Mivchar HaPeninim [“Choice Pearls”: Anthology of Sayings]. Translated from the Arabic by Judah ibn Tibbon.

Estimate: $50,000–$60,000
Hammer price: $50,000

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

author

IBN GABIROL, SOLOMON.

printer

Joshua Solomon ben Israel Nathan Soncino

Place

Soncino

Publication

1484

Description

FIRST EDITION . Square and cursive Rabbinic type alternate in text. An attractive, wide-margined copy.

references

Vinograd, Soncino 3; Goff, Heb-98; Offenberg 57; Freimann & Marx, A-27.

summary

A complete, wide-margined copy of this first edition ethical work; a collection of ethical maxims, proverbs and moral reflections. The second book - the first, according to bibliographer Gerson Cohen - printed by the Soncino Family, publishers of more Hebrew volumes than any other press - and all of the most sublime quality. The Soncinos dominated the book market for some 30 years. Thus the adage: “For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the Word of the Lord from Soncino.” See Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963) pp. 56-60.

ff. (60) complete, including initial blank. Some marginal staining, minute wormholes silked, lower blank portion of final leaf laid to size. Modern morocco; elaborate solander-case. 4to.

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