Auction 98 · Lot 207

(RaDa'K). Sepher HaShorashim [Biblical lexicon and grammar].

Estimate: $1,200–$1,800
Hammer price: $1,300

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

author

KIMCHE, DAVID

printer

Daniel Bomberg

Place

Venice

Publication

1529

Description

Printed in two columns. Hebrew poetry on last page from Elijah Levita written in an early hand.

references

Vinograd, Venice 140.

summary

Influential Hebrew lexicographical work. The Provencal exegete and grammarian R. David Kimchi (1160? -1235?), was a life-long anti-Christian polemicist. For example in the present work, under the entry “elem” (column 376), the author, quoting his father R. Joseph Kimchi, derides the Christian assertion that the word “almah” (a young girl) found in Isaiah Chap 7:14 refers to a virgin birth. Unsurprisingly, the offending lines are struck out in this copy by the ever-watchful Church censor.

ff. (1), 5-570 cols., pp. 3. Closely trimmed, title laid down with loss of lower (blank) register, many leaves with taped repairs. Early blind-tooled mottled calf over heavy wooden boards with brass bosses. Expertly rebacked. Sm. folio.

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