Masa’ath Moshe [commentary to the Book of Esther, with text]

Estimate

$1,000–$1,500

Hammer price

$1,000

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

author

ALSHEICH, MOSES

printer

Daniel Zanetti

Place

Venice

Publication

1601

Description

FIRST EDITION. Five woodcut illustrations on f. 83v depicting characters from the Esther narrative.

references

Vinograd, Venice 931

summary

The illustrations representing the four principle characters of the Esther story (King Ahasuerus, Haman, Mordechai and Queen Esther) had in fact been taken from di Gara’s Hagadah printed two years earlier. The fifth illustration was originally to represent the Passover Seder. Here it has been retitled to represent visitors bringing gifts of food (Mishloach Manoth) to celebrants seated at a Purim Banquet. See M. Friedman, Transplanted Illustrations in Jewish Printed Books, in: Jewish Art (1988) Vol. XIV pp. 44-55.

ff. 86. Trimmed, variously worn and stained, ff. 18-21 soiled, final leaf with taped repair along upper margin. Modern boards. 8vo.

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