Auction 79 · Lot 112

Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (SeMa”G) [“The Great Book of Commandments”: Enumeration of the 613 precepts].

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
Hammer price: $4,000

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

author

MOSES OF COUCY

printer

Gershom Soncino

Place

Soncino

Publication

1488

Description

Second edition. Woodcut initials and incipit panels. Marginalia. Valmadonna librarian and custodian collation notes.

references

Vinograd, Soncino 37; Goff Heb-85; Thes. A-48; Goldstein 58; Offenberg 95; Iakerson 36.

summary

The first book printed by Gershom Soncino. The second incunable edition of this extensive work, the first edition of which was issued in Rome, c.1469-72. Following Maimonides’ Code, the Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol is the most significant work of this Halachic genre. A major stylistic difference between the two works is that rabbinic precepts are included in the SeMa”G, while the Mishneh Torah only enumerates Biblical commandments. See Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library - Otzroth Ya’akov, Incunables no. 22.

ff. 83 (of 280). Primarily consisting of signatures 6-13 of Part I and signatures 1-5 of Part II. Stained in places, some worming, gutters repaired, occasional loss, trimmed. Valmadonna-custom morocco-backed marbled boards. Sm. folio.

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