Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Torah Or (Don Yosef ibn Yachya) – Venice, 1606 – With Two Rare Leaves – Printed to Fund Publisher's Daughter's Wedding and His Immigration to Eretz Israel
Opening: $300
Sold for: $1,750
Including buyer's premium
Torah Or, on the soul's final pleasure, the Garden of Eden and Gehinnom, the World to Come and other important concepts, by Don Yosef ibn Yachya. Venice: Giovanni di Gara, [1606].
Second (rare) edition of the book, which was first published in Bologna, 1538.
The title page states that 78 chapters are included; in fact, in this edition, the chapter divisions were corrected and there are 79 chapters.
The present copy includes two additional leaves at the end of the book (printed on one side), with letters of recommendation from several rabbis, including the Maharal of Prague, R. Yissachar Ber Eilenburg and other rabbis of Prague and Venice, calling to assist the publisher of the present book, the ascetic and former teacher of schoolchildren of Prague, R. Avraham son of Alexander Bretwald (Avraham Weingass), as his aim was to marry off his daughter and immigrate to Eretz Israel. These two leaves are rare and are included only in some copies.
28, [2] leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including many dampstains. Wear. Small tears and open tears to margins of title page and other leaves, slightly affecting title frame. Bookplate. Early leather binding, worn.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries