Auction 108 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Maharsha on Beitzah and Yevamot – Basel, Ca. 1599-1600 – First Edition of First Complete Published Book by the Maharsha, Printed Anonymously in His Lifetime
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Novellae on Tractate Yom Tov (Beitzah) and Yevamot, by R. Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidels – the Maharsha. Basel: Konrad Waldkirch, [ca. 1599-1600]. First edition.
The present book is the first complete work of the Maharsha to be published. This book was printed during his lifetime, anonymously (possibly at the initiative of his disciples). While his novellae on folios 2-13 of Yevamot had been printed previously (Prague, 1598), the present book is his first complete book of novellae to be printed.
Includes several other novellae, one quoted in the name of the Maharam of Rothenburg, another in the form of a poem quoted in the name of R. Baruch of Mainz.
Many stamps of "the Great Beit Midrash Bnei Emunah, Kazimierz, Cracow".
Many signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page and verso of last leaf, one dated 1688.
50 leaves. Approx. 17 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including large dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears, to title page and other leaves, affecting title frame and text, repaired with paper. Close trimming, affecting text of bottom part of leaves (mainly catchwords and bottom line of text). Binding holes to inner margins of some leaves. New leather binding.
Rare edition.
Date of printing after Joseph Prijs, Basle, no. 162.
Early Printed Books – 16th and 17th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 16th and 17th Centuries