Auction 79 · Lot 38

Kehunath Avraham [poetical paraphrase of the Book of Psalms]. With B’nei Keturah [verse to Perek Shirah].

Estimate: $2,000–$2,500
Hammer price: Not recorded

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

author

COHEN, ABRAHAM BEN SHABTHAI.

printer

Bragadin

Place

Venice

Publication

1719

Description

FIRST EDITION. Six parts in one volume, each part proceeded by individual title page (featuring cherubs sounding trumpets). Additional engraved title depicting tamarisk plant surrounded by 14-part historiated border featuring King David with harp, Priestly hands, angels and cherubs with musical instruments, etc. (see Yaari, Printer’s Marks no. 97). Engraved plate prior to B’nei Keturah (between f. 52-3) entitled “Barchu HaShem Kol Tzva’av” - depicting celestial bodies and the animal kingdom, a circular engraving in praise of Creation.

references

Vinograd, Venice 1660.

summary

The author (1670 – 1729) was a native of Zante, one of the Ionian isles of Greece, then part of the Venetian Republic. See M. Benayahu, Abraham Hakohen of Zante and the Circle of Physician-Poets in Padua, in: HaSifrut, Vol. 26 (1978) pp. 108–140.

ff. (1), 8, 49, 40, 30, 26, 52, (1), 53-64. Lacking author portrait browned and slightly dampwrinkled. Later sheep, expertly rebacked with titled gilt on spine. 4to.

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