Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Displaying 25 - 36 of 54
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $800
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $4,500
Including buyer's premium
Sefer HeAruch, glossary of Talmudic words in alphabetical order, by R. Natan son of Yechiel of Rome. [Pesaro]: Gershom Soncino, 1517.
On leaf 2, ownership inscription of R. Chaim Mordechai Labaton (1780-1869), prominent Torah scholar and chief rabbi of Aleppo. He authored Nochach HaShulchan (see: LiKedoshim Asher BaAretz, p. 64).
Signature on the title page and leaf 19: "Aharon Altaras". Many inscriptions in Ladino on the endpapers, with accounts and names of people.
65, 67-102, 85-177, [1] leaves. Lacking one leaf (leaf 66). Misfoliation. Many leaves bound out of sequence. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of past dampness. Wear. Tears to title page, including open tears, affecting border, repaired with strips of tape on recto and verso. Tears (including open tears) to other leaves, slightly affecting text, mostly repaired with paper or tape (open tear to leaf 11 with handwritten text replacement). Minor worming to final leaf, affecting text; marginal tears to final leaf – leaf mounted on paper (may have been supplied from a different copy). Some leaves and gatherings loose and detached. Early leather binding, damaged, partially detached.
On leaf 2, ownership inscription of R. Chaim Mordechai Labaton (1780-1869), prominent Torah scholar and chief rabbi of Aleppo. He authored Nochach HaShulchan (see: LiKedoshim Asher BaAretz, p. 64).
Signature on the title page and leaf 19: "Aharon Altaras". Many inscriptions in Ladino on the endpapers, with accounts and names of people.
65, 67-102, 85-177, [1] leaves. Lacking one leaf (leaf 66). Misfoliation. Many leaves bound out of sequence. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of past dampness. Wear. Tears to title page, including open tears, affecting border, repaired with strips of tape on recto and verso. Tears (including open tears) to other leaves, slightly affecting text, mostly repaired with paper or tape (open tear to leaf 11 with handwritten text replacement). Minor worming to final leaf, affecting text; marginal tears to final leaf – leaf mounted on paper (may have been supplied from a different copy). Some leaves and gatherings loose and detached. Early leather binding, damaged, partially detached.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Responsa of the Rosh. [Constantinople: Samuel Nahmias and his son Moses, 1517]. First edition.
Responsa of the Rosh is one of the first responsa works printed in the early days of printing, and it is one of the primary sources used by halachic authorities. The present edition was used by R. Yosef Karo when composing Beit Yosef and Shulchan Aruch, and by the Rema for his glosses.
In contrast with regular responsa works, this composition was arranged and edited in order to turn it into a book of classified rulings. The responsa of the Rosh were gathered into one hundred and eight chapters (kelalim), according to topic. The foreword to the present edition describes the editing process – the disciples of the Rosh at first recorded his responsa unsystematically, until a significant amount of material had been collected. One disciple then gathered together responsa on similar questions, until everything was organized according to topic. The foreword opens with a portrayal of the preeminence of the Rosh.
The text, which was corrupted in later editions by Christian censorship, is preserved in this edition in its original state (see: Y.S. Yudlov, introduction to Responsa of the Rosh, Machon Yerushalayim edition, Jerusalem 1994, p. 10).
The printing was completed on the 33rd day of the Omer 1517, as stated in the colophon of the final page.
Signatures and inscriptions on the title page: "Shlomo son of R. Zechariah Sachsen", "Nissim Gabbai son of R. Chaim Yitzchak", an unidentified calligraphic signature, and another signature which was scraped off. Ownership inscription on final leaf: "Chaim Ashkenazi son of Moshe Ashkenazi".
[190] leaves. 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Mold to several leaves. Worming affecting text in several places. Tears and open tears to first leaves and to final leaf, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Leaves [2] and [5] with smaller margins (presumably supplied from a different copy). Inscriptions. Signatures. Stamp, blurred. Old binding.
Responsa of the Rosh is one of the first responsa works printed in the early days of printing, and it is one of the primary sources used by halachic authorities. The present edition was used by R. Yosef Karo when composing Beit Yosef and Shulchan Aruch, and by the Rema for his glosses.
In contrast with regular responsa works, this composition was arranged and edited in order to turn it into a book of classified rulings. The responsa of the Rosh were gathered into one hundred and eight chapters (kelalim), according to topic. The foreword to the present edition describes the editing process – the disciples of the Rosh at first recorded his responsa unsystematically, until a significant amount of material had been collected. One disciple then gathered together responsa on similar questions, until everything was organized according to topic. The foreword opens with a portrayal of the preeminence of the Rosh.
The text, which was corrupted in later editions by Christian censorship, is preserved in this edition in its original state (see: Y.S. Yudlov, introduction to Responsa of the Rosh, Machon Yerushalayim edition, Jerusalem 1994, p. 10).
The printing was completed on the 33rd day of the Omer 1517, as stated in the colophon of the final page.
Signatures and inscriptions on the title page: "Shlomo son of R. Zechariah Sachsen", "Nissim Gabbai son of R. Chaim Yitzchak", an unidentified calligraphic signature, and another signature which was scraped off. Ownership inscription on final leaf: "Chaim Ashkenazi son of Moshe Ashkenazi".
[190] leaves. 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Mold to several leaves. Worming affecting text in several places. Tears and open tears to first leaves and to final leaf, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Leaves [2] and [5] with smaller margins (presumably supplied from a different copy). Inscriptions. Signatures. Stamp, blurred. Old binding.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $50,000
Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000
Sold for: $81,250
Including buyer's premium
Volume comprising the first and rare edition of Tractate Berachot and several other tractates, from the first Babylonian Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg: Tractate Berachot, Mishnayot Order Zera'im with the commentaries of the Rambam and R. Shimshon of Sens, Tractate Niddah, Mishnayot Order Taharot with the commentary of the Rambam, Tractate Eduyot and Pirkei Avot. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1520-1522]. First editions printed by Bomberg.
The present volume comprises six parts of the first Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg (listed in the order they are bound): Tractate Berachot – Venice, 1520; Order Zera'im – Venice, 1522; Tractate Niddah – Venice, 1520; Order Taharot – Venice, 1522; Tractate Eduyot – Venice, 1521; Tractate Avot – Venice, 1521.
This was the first edition comprising the entire Babylonian Talmud. This famous edition (The Venice Talmud) served as prototype for all future Talmud editions, establishing the page layout and foliation used until this day. The only exception is Tractate Berachot, which has a different layout in this edition, ending on f. 66a (the familiar layout of Tractate Berachot was introduced in Bomberg's second edition and concludes on f. 64a).
Volume comprising several tractates. Berachot: 2-86, 86-88, [2] leaves. Lacking title page. Order Zera'im: 6; 86 leaves, [1] blank leaf. 6 leaves of Rambam's preface bound before title page of Order Zera'im, unlike in other copies where bound at end of Order. Niddah: 91 leaves. Order Taharot: 77 leaves. Lacking final leaf. Eduyot: 3-7; 9 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Lacking title page and two following leaves ([1], 1-2). Avot: 12, [1] leaves. Approx. 36 cm.
Condition varies. Berachot: Condition varies. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears. First thirty or so leaves in fair condition, with large dampstains and mold stains, and large open tears to some leaves. Leaf 15 detached. Order Zera'im: Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Niddah: Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Some minor tears. Order Taharot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Open tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text. Minor worming, affecting text in several places. Eduyot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Minor worming, affecting text. Avot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Minor worming. Hole to several leaves, slightly affecting text.
Glosses, emendations and inscriptions (two lines of text scraped off on leaf 21 of Tractate Berachot). Late ownership inscriptions in several places. Non-original binding, damaged, without spine.
Habermann, The Printer Daniel Bomberg, 18, 26, 43, 44, 48.
The present volume comprises six parts of the first Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg (listed in the order they are bound): Tractate Berachot – Venice, 1520; Order Zera'im – Venice, 1522; Tractate Niddah – Venice, 1520; Order Taharot – Venice, 1522; Tractate Eduyot – Venice, 1521; Tractate Avot – Venice, 1521.
This was the first edition comprising the entire Babylonian Talmud. This famous edition (The Venice Talmud) served as prototype for all future Talmud editions, establishing the page layout and foliation used until this day. The only exception is Tractate Berachot, which has a different layout in this edition, ending on f. 66a (the familiar layout of Tractate Berachot was introduced in Bomberg's second edition and concludes on f. 64a).
Volume comprising several tractates. Berachot: 2-86, 86-88, [2] leaves. Lacking title page. Order Zera'im: 6; 86 leaves, [1] blank leaf. 6 leaves of Rambam's preface bound before title page of Order Zera'im, unlike in other copies where bound at end of Order. Niddah: 91 leaves. Order Taharot: 77 leaves. Lacking final leaf. Eduyot: 3-7; 9 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Lacking title page and two following leaves ([1], 1-2). Avot: 12, [1] leaves. Approx. 36 cm.
Condition varies. Berachot: Condition varies. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears. First thirty or so leaves in fair condition, with large dampstains and mold stains, and large open tears to some leaves. Leaf 15 detached. Order Zera'im: Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Niddah: Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains. Some minor tears. Order Taharot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Open tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text. Minor worming, affecting text in several places. Eduyot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Minor worming, affecting text. Avot: Fair condition. Large, dark dampstains. Minor worming. Hole to several leaves, slightly affecting text.
Glosses, emendations and inscriptions (two lines of text scraped off on leaf 21 of Tractate Berachot). Late ownership inscriptions in several places. Non-original binding, damaged, without spine.
Habermann, The Printer Daniel Bomberg, 18, 26, 43, 44, 48.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $35,000
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Sold for: $87,500
Including buyer's premium
Mikraot Gedolot, Five Books of the Torah, Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Acharonim and Ketuvim, with Targum Onkelos and the commentaries of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Radak, Targum Yonathan and more. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1524-1525]. Set in four volumes.
The present set is from the renowned Mikraot Gedolot edition printed by Bomberg. This edition, which was edited by Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu, is considered one of the most important editions of the Bible. It is renowned for its accuracy and beauty, and served as prototype and standard text for all following editions. This edition is also unique for its Masorah (Masorah Gedolah and Masorah Ketanah). Yaakov son of Chaim, who initiated this edition and prepared it for print, established the text of the Masorah based on various manuscripts, with the addition of his glosses to the Masorah and a general foreword which he authored. The present edition is in fact the first edition in which the Masorah is printed alongside the text of the Bible, and it became one of the most important sources for the text of the Masorah for future generations.
Colophon at the end of Divrei HaYamim: "Completed on 24th Tishrei 1525, in the press of Daniel Bomberg, here in Venice…".
This edition includes, apart from the Masorah Gedolah and Masorah Ketanah, Targum and the commentary of Rashi: the commentary of Ibn Ezra to most of the Bible, the commentary of Radak (to Neviim), the commentary of Ralbag (Neviim Rishonim, Mishlei and Iyov) and the commentary of R. Saadiah Gaon (to Daniel). The commentaries to Mishlei, Iyov and Ezra-Nechamia printed under the name of Ibn Ezra were actually authored by R. Moshe Kimchi.
At the end of the fourth volume, the Final Masorah was printed, along with lists of variants between Ben-Asher and Ben-Naftali and between the Western and the Eastern traditions, Shaar HaNeginot, and more.
Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu was born in Tunis, and fled to Italy due to persecutions. He settled in Venice, where he became a proofreader in Bomberg's press, and took part in several of his prominent printing enterprises, including the present Mikraot Gedolot, the Jerusalem Talmud, and more. At some point, Yaakov ben Chaim converted to Christianity. In his book Masoret HaMasoret (second preface), R. Eliyahu Bachur praises the beauty and superiority of the Mikraot Gedolot edited by Yaakov ben Chaim, while at the same time condemning his conversion and criticizing the errors which crept into his work.
A lengthy foreword by Yaakov ben Chaim appears at the beginning of the first volume, where he recounts his life story, describing his peaceful years studying in Tunis, and the tribulations he underwent until he reached Venice, where he was approached by Bomberg who employed him to proofread the books he was printing.
Signature (in Rashi script) on the title page of vol. I: "Yehoshua, here in Shidlov and its surroundings" (this may be R. Yehoshua Rabbi of Shidlov [son of R. Yehuda Leib of Shidlov Rabbi of Krakow], who according to certain sources converted to Christianity and adopted the name Jan Jacob Szydlowski).
Calligraphic signature on the title page of vol. IV: "Shlomo Laniado".
Four volumes: Torah: [234] leaves. Neviim Rishonim: [209] leaves. Without final blank leaf. Neviim Acharonim: [211] leaves. Without final blank leaf. Ketuvim: [297] leaves. Without blank leaf following Divrei HaYamim (leaf [232]). 36.5-39 cm (fourth volume smaller than other volumes). Condition varies, fair to good-fair. Stains, including large dampstains (large, significant dampstains to vol. IV, with traces of past dampness and mold in several places). Tears, including open tears affecting text, primarily to first and final leaves of volumes, repaired in part with paper (large strips of paper to margins of several leaves). Title pages of vols. I, III and IV damaged (tears and large open tears, affecting text and borders), repaired with paper and mounted on paper for reinforcement. Inner margins of title page of vol. II reinforced with paper. Final leaf of vol. IV mounted on paper for reinforcement. Worming, affecting text in several places, repaired in part. Inscriptions and stamps. Censorship deletions (many deletions in Book of Daniel). New bindings.
References: M. Goshen-Gottstein's introduction to Biblia Rabbinica, a reprint of the 1525 Venice edition edited by Jacob ben Hayim ibn Adoniya, Jerusalem, 1972, I, pp. 7-8; J. Penkower, Jacob ben Hayyim and the rise of the Biblia Rabbinica, Jerusalem 1982.
Habermann, The Printer Daniel Bomberg, no. 93.
The present set is from the renowned Mikraot Gedolot edition printed by Bomberg. This edition, which was edited by Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu, is considered one of the most important editions of the Bible. It is renowned for its accuracy and beauty, and served as prototype and standard text for all following editions. This edition is also unique for its Masorah (Masorah Gedolah and Masorah Ketanah). Yaakov son of Chaim, who initiated this edition and prepared it for print, established the text of the Masorah based on various manuscripts, with the addition of his glosses to the Masorah and a general foreword which he authored. The present edition is in fact the first edition in which the Masorah is printed alongside the text of the Bible, and it became one of the most important sources for the text of the Masorah for future generations.
Colophon at the end of Divrei HaYamim: "Completed on 24th Tishrei 1525, in the press of Daniel Bomberg, here in Venice…".
This edition includes, apart from the Masorah Gedolah and Masorah Ketanah, Targum and the commentary of Rashi: the commentary of Ibn Ezra to most of the Bible, the commentary of Radak (to Neviim), the commentary of Ralbag (Neviim Rishonim, Mishlei and Iyov) and the commentary of R. Saadiah Gaon (to Daniel). The commentaries to Mishlei, Iyov and Ezra-Nechamia printed under the name of Ibn Ezra were actually authored by R. Moshe Kimchi.
At the end of the fourth volume, the Final Masorah was printed, along with lists of variants between Ben-Asher and Ben-Naftali and between the Western and the Eastern traditions, Shaar HaNeginot, and more.
Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu was born in Tunis, and fled to Italy due to persecutions. He settled in Venice, where he became a proofreader in Bomberg's press, and took part in several of his prominent printing enterprises, including the present Mikraot Gedolot, the Jerusalem Talmud, and more. At some point, Yaakov ben Chaim converted to Christianity. In his book Masoret HaMasoret (second preface), R. Eliyahu Bachur praises the beauty and superiority of the Mikraot Gedolot edited by Yaakov ben Chaim, while at the same time condemning his conversion and criticizing the errors which crept into his work.
A lengthy foreword by Yaakov ben Chaim appears at the beginning of the first volume, where he recounts his life story, describing his peaceful years studying in Tunis, and the tribulations he underwent until he reached Venice, where he was approached by Bomberg who employed him to proofread the books he was printing.
Signature (in Rashi script) on the title page of vol. I: "Yehoshua, here in Shidlov and its surroundings" (this may be R. Yehoshua Rabbi of Shidlov [son of R. Yehuda Leib of Shidlov Rabbi of Krakow], who according to certain sources converted to Christianity and adopted the name Jan Jacob Szydlowski).
Calligraphic signature on the title page of vol. IV: "Shlomo Laniado".
Four volumes: Torah: [234] leaves. Neviim Rishonim: [209] leaves. Without final blank leaf. Neviim Acharonim: [211] leaves. Without final blank leaf. Ketuvim: [297] leaves. Without blank leaf following Divrei HaYamim (leaf [232]). 36.5-39 cm (fourth volume smaller than other volumes). Condition varies, fair to good-fair. Stains, including large dampstains (large, significant dampstains to vol. IV, with traces of past dampness and mold in several places). Tears, including open tears affecting text, primarily to first and final leaves of volumes, repaired in part with paper (large strips of paper to margins of several leaves). Title pages of vols. I, III and IV damaged (tears and large open tears, affecting text and borders), repaired with paper and mounted on paper for reinforcement. Inner margins of title page of vol. II reinforced with paper. Final leaf of vol. IV mounted on paper for reinforcement. Worming, affecting text in several places, repaired in part. Inscriptions and stamps. Censorship deletions (many deletions in Book of Daniel). New bindings.
References: M. Goshen-Gottstein's introduction to Biblia Rabbinica, a reprint of the 1525 Venice edition edited by Jacob ben Hayim ibn Adoniya, Jerusalem, 1972, I, pp. 7-8; J. Penkower, Jacob ben Hayyim and the rise of the Biblia Rabbinica, Jerusalem 1982.
Habermann, The Printer Daniel Bomberg, no. 93.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Sefer HaTerumah, halachic rulings on various topics, by R. Baruch son of R. Yitzchak of France. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1523. First edition.
Sefer HaTerumah is one of the prominent halachic works composed in the times of the Tosafists. It includes halachot on various topics: laws of shechitah, terefot, kashrut, challah, Niddah, divorce, Chalitzah, Avoda Zara, Yayin Nesech, Torah scrolls, tefillin, Shabbat. Following the laws of tefillin is a special chapter devoted to the laws of Eretz Israel.
The author, R. Baruch son of R. Yitzchak, was a Tosafist from France (named Baal HaTerumah after his book; sometimes erroneously referred to as R. Baruch of Worms), close disciple of R. Yitzchak son of R. Shmuel (R. Yitzchak the elder). He immigrated to Eretz Israel shortly before his passing.
The book opens with a comprehensive table of contents, containing a summary of the laws in the order of the chapters.
Handwritten inscription (in Italian script) on the title page, dating the composition of this work to 1236, based on a record in Sefer Yuchasin.
Several leaves (primarily laws of Avoda Zara and Yayin Nesech) with many censorship deletions (in several places, the deleted text was replaced in handwriting). Censor's signature on final leaf.
[140] leaves (final leaf blank). Approx. 27 cm. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Minor tear to second leaf, repaired with paper. Non-original binding, loose, damaged.
Sefer HaTerumah is one of the prominent halachic works composed in the times of the Tosafists. It includes halachot on various topics: laws of shechitah, terefot, kashrut, challah, Niddah, divorce, Chalitzah, Avoda Zara, Yayin Nesech, Torah scrolls, tefillin, Shabbat. Following the laws of tefillin is a special chapter devoted to the laws of Eretz Israel.
The author, R. Baruch son of R. Yitzchak, was a Tosafist from France (named Baal HaTerumah after his book; sometimes erroneously referred to as R. Baruch of Worms), close disciple of R. Yitzchak son of R. Shmuel (R. Yitzchak the elder). He immigrated to Eretz Israel shortly before his passing.
The book opens with a comprehensive table of contents, containing a summary of the laws in the order of the chapters.
Handwritten inscription (in Italian script) on the title page, dating the composition of this work to 1236, based on a record in Sefer Yuchasin.
Several leaves (primarily laws of Avoda Zara and Yayin Nesech) with many censorship deletions (in several places, the deleted text was replaced in handwriting). Censor's signature on final leaf.
[140] leaves (final leaf blank). Approx. 27 cm. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Minor tear to second leaf, repaired with paper. Non-original binding, loose, damaged.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Michlal Yofi, grammatical commentary on the Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, by R. Shlomo ibn Melech. Constantinople: Moses son of Elazar Parnas the physician, [1549]. First edition.
Deleted ownership inscriptions on the title page, including: "…Eliezer…"; "Acquired with my money, Moshe Kohen Rapa" (possibly the uncle and father-in-law of R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali of Reggio, the Rabach).
Hundreds of glosses in Italian script (some trimmed), by several writers. Most glosses consist of copyings from grammar books such as Sefer HaShorashim by the Radak and Nimukei R. Eliyahu Bachur on that work, and Ohel Moed by R. Shlomo of Urbino.
Censorship expurgation (one line scraped off) on one leaf. Censor's signatures.
[190] leaves. Lacking 2 leaves from final gathering (leaves [189]-[190]); originally: [192] leaves). 29.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Worming, affecting text in several places. Tears, affecting text on one leaf. Tear to title page, repaired with paper on verso. Reinforcements. Several loose gatherings. Handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, damaged.
Deleted ownership inscriptions on the title page, including: "…Eliezer…"; "Acquired with my money, Moshe Kohen Rapa" (possibly the uncle and father-in-law of R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali of Reggio, the Rabach).
Hundreds of glosses in Italian script (some trimmed), by several writers. Most glosses consist of copyings from grammar books such as Sefer HaShorashim by the Radak and Nimukei R. Eliyahu Bachur on that work, and Ohel Moed by R. Shlomo of Urbino.
Censorship expurgation (one line scraped off) on one leaf. Censor's signatures.
[190] leaves. Lacking 2 leaves from final gathering (leaves [189]-[190]); originally: [192] leaves). 29.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Worming, affecting text in several places. Tears, affecting text on one leaf. Tear to title page, repaired with paper on verso. Reinforcements. Several loose gatherings. Handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, damaged.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $300
Estimate: $500 - $800
Sold for: $1,125
Including buyer's premium
Kiryat Sefer, on the Rambam, by R. Moshe di Trani (the Mabit). [Venice]: Alvise Bragadin, [1551]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Calligraphic signature on second leaf: "Yehoshua de Montel" (perhaps R. Yehoshua de Montel, Jerusalem Torah scholar in the first half of the 17th century. From the family of R. Yechiel de Monteles, emissary of Eretz Israel and disciple of R. M. Galante, who published in 1585 in Venice the book Perush Megillat Esther by R. Ovadia Hamon – see enclosed material). Ownership inscription in Sephardic script on title page, partially deleted. Glosses in Oriental script, containing additions to the enumeration of the Mitzvot at the beginning of the book.
Stamps, including stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss of Sighet (a Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet).
Damaged copy. 253 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Significant dampstains and traces of past dampness, with large mold stains to many leaves. Wear. Large open tears to title page (with loss of half the leaf) and to second leaf, affecting text, repaired with paper. Open tears to other leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with paper (large tears to final three leaves). Worming, affecting text. Old binding, with leather spine, damaged.
Without [3] final leaves of omissions and table of contents, added after the printing to some copies only.
Calligraphic signature on second leaf: "Yehoshua de Montel" (perhaps R. Yehoshua de Montel, Jerusalem Torah scholar in the first half of the 17th century. From the family of R. Yechiel de Monteles, emissary of Eretz Israel and disciple of R. M. Galante, who published in 1585 in Venice the book Perush Megillat Esther by R. Ovadia Hamon – see enclosed material). Ownership inscription in Sephardic script on title page, partially deleted. Glosses in Oriental script, containing additions to the enumeration of the Mitzvot at the beginning of the book.
Stamps, including stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss of Sighet (a Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet).
Damaged copy. 253 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Significant dampstains and traces of past dampness, with large mold stains to many leaves. Wear. Large open tears to title page (with loss of half the leaf) and to second leaf, affecting text, repaired with paper. Open tears to other leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with paper (large tears to final three leaves). Worming, affecting text. Old binding, with leather spine, damaged.
Without [3] final leaves of omissions and table of contents, added after the printing to some copies only.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000
Sold for: $47,500
Including buyer's premium
Three parts of Tur with Beit Yosef – Yoreh De'ah, Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat, first editions of Beit Yosef, printed in the lifetime of the author R. Yosef Karo:
• Tur Yoreh De'ah, with Beit Yosef. Venice: Alvise Bragadin, 1551.
Prefaces by R. Yosef Karo and R. Yaakov ben Asher at the beginning of the book, and detailed tables of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Copy of R. Avraham Yosef Shlomo Graziano, a Jewish-Italian scholar and maskil from the 17th century, prominent collector of books and manuscripts. With his signatures and glosses.
Signatures on title page and final leaf: "Ish Ger" (acronym of R. Avraham Yosef Shlomo Graziano). Inscription in his handwriting on the title page, attesting that he acquired the set of Beit Yosef from the heirs of R. Shlomo Berechia of Modena. Glosses in Italian script, including glosses handwritten by Graziano (some of the glosses are trimmed).
[30], 398 leaves. 33 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (significant dampstains to several leaves). Extensive worming to title page and other leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with tape (including tape repairs to title page). Many censorship expurgations, some words deleted with ink and some scraped off (partly replaced in handwriting). Censorship authorization (in Italian) on final leaf, including inscription in Hebrew: "the derogatory words about pagans do not refer to Christians…" (this inscription was presumably written by an apostate censor; see: Benayahu, Haskama VeReshut BiDfusei Venitzia, p. 192). Old binding, with leather spine (extensive worming and damage to binding and spine).
• Tur Even HaEzer, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1553.
Preface by R. Yosef Karo at the beginning of the book, and detailed tables of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Colophon on p. 232b: "The third Tur was completed… Friday, 4th Tammuz 1553, by… Cornelio Adelkind… in the press of R. Tobias Foa…".
232 leaves. 33.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains (significant dampstains to final leaves). Minor marginal tears to title page and several other leaves. Crease down title page. Paper repairs to title page. Several glosses, inscriptions and signatures. Old binding, without spine.
The copies of this edition vary in the typography of leaf 74. The present copy comprises 57 lines on recto and verso of leaf 74. (see: I. Sonne, Kiryat Sefer, VII, 1930, p. 484, no. 4).
• Tur Choshen Mishpat, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1559.
Prefaces by R. Yosef Karo and R. Yaakov ben Asher at the beginning of the book, and detailed table of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Concluding words by R. Yosef Karo on p. 332b. He writes there that he began writing the work in Adrianople, 1522, and completed it in Safed, 1547, after which he spent time editing it and composing additions, until 1554.
332 leaves. 36.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor open tears to title page, affecting text on recto and verso. Paper repairs to both sides of title page, and to final leaf. Worming, affecting text in several places. Title page detached. Leaves trimmed, with damage to headings in several places. Handwritten inscriptions. Censor's signatures. Old binding, damaged.
There are copies with typographic variations to title page (printed dedications to various figures, and notice from the printer, see: Wiener, Kehilat Moshe, II, p. 548, no. 4507).
• Tur Yoreh De'ah, with Beit Yosef. Venice: Alvise Bragadin, 1551.
Prefaces by R. Yosef Karo and R. Yaakov ben Asher at the beginning of the book, and detailed tables of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Copy of R. Avraham Yosef Shlomo Graziano, a Jewish-Italian scholar and maskil from the 17th century, prominent collector of books and manuscripts. With his signatures and glosses.
Signatures on title page and final leaf: "Ish Ger" (acronym of R. Avraham Yosef Shlomo Graziano). Inscription in his handwriting on the title page, attesting that he acquired the set of Beit Yosef from the heirs of R. Shlomo Berechia of Modena. Glosses in Italian script, including glosses handwritten by Graziano (some of the glosses are trimmed).
[30], 398 leaves. 33 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains (significant dampstains to several leaves). Extensive worming to title page and other leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with tape (including tape repairs to title page). Many censorship expurgations, some words deleted with ink and some scraped off (partly replaced in handwriting). Censorship authorization (in Italian) on final leaf, including inscription in Hebrew: "the derogatory words about pagans do not refer to Christians…" (this inscription was presumably written by an apostate censor; see: Benayahu, Haskama VeReshut BiDfusei Venitzia, p. 192). Old binding, with leather spine (extensive worming and damage to binding and spine).
• Tur Even HaEzer, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1553.
Preface by R. Yosef Karo at the beginning of the book, and detailed tables of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Colophon on p. 232b: "The third Tur was completed… Friday, 4th Tammuz 1553, by… Cornelio Adelkind… in the press of R. Tobias Foa…".
232 leaves. 33.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains (significant dampstains to final leaves). Minor marginal tears to title page and several other leaves. Crease down title page. Paper repairs to title page. Several glosses, inscriptions and signatures. Old binding, without spine.
The copies of this edition vary in the typography of leaf 74. The present copy comprises 57 lines on recto and verso of leaf 74. (see: I. Sonne, Kiryat Sefer, VII, 1930, p. 484, no. 4).
• Tur Choshen Mishpat, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1559.
Prefaces by R. Yosef Karo and R. Yaakov ben Asher at the beginning of the book, and detailed table of contents for the laws in the Tur and in Beit Yosef.
Concluding words by R. Yosef Karo on p. 332b. He writes there that he began writing the work in Adrianople, 1522, and completed it in Safed, 1547, after which he spent time editing it and composing additions, until 1554.
332 leaves. 36.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor open tears to title page, affecting text on recto and verso. Paper repairs to both sides of title page, and to final leaf. Worming, affecting text in several places. Title page detached. Leaves trimmed, with damage to headings in several places. Handwritten inscriptions. Censor's signatures. Old binding, damaged.
There are copies with typographic variations to title page (printed dedications to various figures, and notice from the printer, see: Wiener, Kehilat Moshe, II, p. 548, no. 4507).
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $300
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Sold for: $2,375
Including buyer's premium
Shulchan Aruch with the Rema's glosses, parts Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah. [Krakow: Isaac Prostitz, 1606-1607].
In this edition, the sources of the Rema's glosses were added for the first time, with brief comments in parentheses. The foreword to this edition states that the sources were compiled from the book Darkei Moshe of the Rema.
The foreword does not identify the compiler of the sources. Some claim that it was R. Shmuel HaLevi Horowitz of Krakow, nephew of the Rema (d. 1622), mentioned in the Krakow 1616-1620 edition as one of the printers, who added the sources from a manuscript Darkei Moshe.
These sources drew criticism shortly after they were printed. In R. Yehoshua Falk's preface to his book Meirat Enayim (Sema) printed with Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat, Prague 1614-1615, he criticizes the present edition claiming that it ignores the Shulchan Aruch and relates only to the Rema, and even the sources of the Rema were abridged and altered, to the point there is almost nothing left of them. Some of the Acharonim, who did not know that the sources were not authored by the Rema, went to great length to understand and resolve the difficulties which they raise.
Handwritten glosses and references in the margins in early Ashkenazic script (typical of the 17th-18th centuries). Birth records and signature on the verso of the title page of Yoreh De'ah part, dated 1696-1700 (another signature, slightly trimmed, on the first leaf of Orach Chaim part). Additional inscriptions on final leaf of the Orach Chaim part, and signature of R. Chaim son of R. Shmuel son of R. Shlomo Kohen Chazan of Brody (see item 136).
Incomplete copy. Orach Chaim part: 2-3, 5-61, 64-75, 72 [i.e. 76]-125, 128-176 leaves. Lacking: title page and leaves 4, 62-63, 126-127 (altogether lacking: 6 leaves). Leaves 61 and 64 erroneously bound after leaf 75. Yoreh De'ah part: 1-24, 29-170 leaves. Lacking leaves 25-28 (altogether lacking 4 leaves). 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text. Tears and open tears, primarily marginal, affecting text. Inscriptions and signatures. Several detached leaves. Old leather binding, damaged, without spine.
In this edition, the sources of the Rema's glosses were added for the first time, with brief comments in parentheses. The foreword to this edition states that the sources were compiled from the book Darkei Moshe of the Rema.
The foreword does not identify the compiler of the sources. Some claim that it was R. Shmuel HaLevi Horowitz of Krakow, nephew of the Rema (d. 1622), mentioned in the Krakow 1616-1620 edition as one of the printers, who added the sources from a manuscript Darkei Moshe.
These sources drew criticism shortly after they were printed. In R. Yehoshua Falk's preface to his book Meirat Enayim (Sema) printed with Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat, Prague 1614-1615, he criticizes the present edition claiming that it ignores the Shulchan Aruch and relates only to the Rema, and even the sources of the Rema were abridged and altered, to the point there is almost nothing left of them. Some of the Acharonim, who did not know that the sources were not authored by the Rema, went to great length to understand and resolve the difficulties which they raise.
Handwritten glosses and references in the margins in early Ashkenazic script (typical of the 17th-18th centuries). Birth records and signature on the verso of the title page of Yoreh De'ah part, dated 1696-1700 (another signature, slightly trimmed, on the first leaf of Orach Chaim part). Additional inscriptions on final leaf of the Orach Chaim part, and signature of R. Chaim son of R. Shmuel son of R. Shlomo Kohen Chazan of Brody (see item 136).
Incomplete copy. Orach Chaim part: 2-3, 5-61, 64-75, 72 [i.e. 76]-125, 128-176 leaves. Lacking: title page and leaves 4, 62-63, 126-127 (altogether lacking: 6 leaves). Leaves 61 and 64 erroneously bound after leaf 75. Yoreh De'ah part: 1-24, 29-170 leaves. Lacking leaves 25-28 (altogether lacking 4 leaves). 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text. Tears and open tears, primarily marginal, affecting text. Inscriptions and signatures. Several detached leaves. Old leather binding, damaged, without spine.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $400
Estimate: $600 - $800
Sold for: $688
Including buyer's premium
Three books printed in the 16th-17th centuries:
1. Commentary on the Five Megillot and on Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov, Daniel, Ezra and Divrei HaYamim, by R. Yosef ibn Yichye. [Bologna, Silk Weaver's Guild, 1538].
Ownership inscription (trimmed) at the top of the title page, in early script. Many stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss, a Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet. Inscriptions in several places.
Incomplete copy. 2-6, 8, 10-40; 119, 121 leaves. Lacking 5 leaves: title page, leaves 7 and 9 of first sequence, leaf 120 and final leaf of second sequence. Leaf 119 of second sequence bound back to front. Approx. 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including traces of past dampness and significant dampstains. Wear. Tears, including large open tears, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Worming, affecting text. Old binding, with damage and worming, lacking back board.
2. Igrot UTeshuvot HaRambam. [Venice, Giovanni dei Farri, 1544].
First edition of Igrot HaRambam. In 1545, Giustiniani reprinted the book in Venice leaf by leaf after the present edition, using the same type (with a different colophon and other minor variations).
Signatures on leaves 35b and 79b of Yehoshua Monsonego (possibly R. Yehoshua Monsonego Rabbi of Fez, author of Shevilei HaMishpat, Nishmat Chaim and others; 1826-1892).
2-95 leaves. Lacking title page. Lacking leaf 89 (text replaced in late hand). Final leaf – leaf 95 torn; half missing (with late handwritten text replacement). 14 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains. Worming, affecting text, repaired in part with tape. Marginal tears, repaired in part with tape. Some leaves loose. Inscriptions. Original leather binding, damaged.
3. Lechem Mishneh, commentary on Rambam's Mishneh Torah, part II, Haflaah-Shoftim, by R. Avraham de Boton. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, [1604-1606]. First edition. Signatures of R. Leibush Strozover (presumably R. Yehuda son of Tzvi Strizover, author of Minchat Yehuda and Bechinat HaChochmah).
234 leaves. Lacking 8 final leaves (235-242). 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including significant dampstains. Traces of past dampness with mold stains to many leaves. Worming to title page and other leaves, affecting border and slightly affecting text in several places. Open tears to title page and other leaves (including large open tear to final leaf), affecting border and text, repaired with paper. Paper repairs to inner margin of title page (affecting border). Leaves trimmed close to text in several places. New binding.
Enclosed: • Title page of Midrash Tanchuma (damaged). Verona: Jacob son of R. Gershon Bak, 1595. Signature in center of title page.• A copy of Midrash Tanchuma (lacking title page), [Amsterdam, 1733 edition]. Many stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss, Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet. Inscriptions in early script in several places.
1. Commentary on the Five Megillot and on Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov, Daniel, Ezra and Divrei HaYamim, by R. Yosef ibn Yichye. [Bologna, Silk Weaver's Guild, 1538].
Ownership inscription (trimmed) at the top of the title page, in early script. Many stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss, a Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet. Inscriptions in several places.
Incomplete copy. 2-6, 8, 10-40; 119, 121 leaves. Lacking 5 leaves: title page, leaves 7 and 9 of first sequence, leaf 120 and final leaf of second sequence. Leaf 119 of second sequence bound back to front. Approx. 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including traces of past dampness and significant dampstains. Wear. Tears, including large open tears, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Worming, affecting text. Old binding, with damage and worming, lacking back board.
2. Igrot UTeshuvot HaRambam. [Venice, Giovanni dei Farri, 1544].
First edition of Igrot HaRambam. In 1545, Giustiniani reprinted the book in Venice leaf by leaf after the present edition, using the same type (with a different colophon and other minor variations).
Signatures on leaves 35b and 79b of Yehoshua Monsonego (possibly R. Yehoshua Monsonego Rabbi of Fez, author of Shevilei HaMishpat, Nishmat Chaim and others; 1826-1892).
2-95 leaves. Lacking title page. Lacking leaf 89 (text replaced in late hand). Final leaf – leaf 95 torn; half missing (with late handwritten text replacement). 14 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains. Worming, affecting text, repaired in part with tape. Marginal tears, repaired in part with tape. Some leaves loose. Inscriptions. Original leather binding, damaged.
3. Lechem Mishneh, commentary on Rambam's Mishneh Torah, part II, Haflaah-Shoftim, by R. Avraham de Boton. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, [1604-1606]. First edition. Signatures of R. Leibush Strozover (presumably R. Yehuda son of Tzvi Strizover, author of Minchat Yehuda and Bechinat HaChochmah).
234 leaves. Lacking 8 final leaves (235-242). 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including significant dampstains. Traces of past dampness with mold stains to many leaves. Worming to title page and other leaves, affecting border and slightly affecting text in several places. Open tears to title page and other leaves (including large open tear to final leaf), affecting border and text, repaired with paper. Paper repairs to inner margin of title page (affecting border). Leaves trimmed close to text in several places. New binding.
Enclosed: • Title page of Midrash Tanchuma (damaged). Verona: Jacob son of R. Gershon Bak, 1595. Signature in center of title page.• A copy of Midrash Tanchuma (lacking title page), [Amsterdam, 1733 edition]. Many stamps of R. Yisrael Weiss, Torah scholar who owned a large library in Sighet. Inscriptions in early script in several places.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $600
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Issur VeHeter, by R. Yonah Ashkenazi of Regensburg. Ferrara: Abraham ibn Usque, [1555]. First edition.
Title page states that the book was authored by R. Yonah (the book was occasionally misattributed to Rabbenu Yonah Gerondi). This book, which is also known as Issur VeHeter HaAroch, was authored by R. Yonah son of R. Isserl Ashkenazi, a Torah scholar of Regensburg, and dayan in the Beit Din of R. Yisrael Bruna. R. Yonah was the disciple and mechutan of R. Yisrael Isserlein, author of Terumat HaDeshen. Issur VeHeter HaAroch became one of the primary sources of Halachic rulings on Kashrut for Ashkenazi Jews.
Usque's printer's device at center of title page.
[169] leaves. Lacking [5] leaves following title page, with preface and part of table of contents. Approx. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Extensive worming to title page and other leaves, affecting text and title page border, repaired with paper and tape. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text (singeing to one leaf). Title page partially detached. Paper repairs with slight damage to text in several places. Stamps. Early binding, mostly detached, with defects.
The present copy includes the final two leaves of errata. These leaves are lacking in many copies.
Title page states that the book was authored by R. Yonah (the book was occasionally misattributed to Rabbenu Yonah Gerondi). This book, which is also known as Issur VeHeter HaAroch, was authored by R. Yonah son of R. Isserl Ashkenazi, a Torah scholar of Regensburg, and dayan in the Beit Din of R. Yisrael Bruna. R. Yonah was the disciple and mechutan of R. Yisrael Isserlein, author of Terumat HaDeshen. Issur VeHeter HaAroch became one of the primary sources of Halachic rulings on Kashrut for Ashkenazi Jews.
Usque's printer's device at center of title page.
[169] leaves. Lacking [5] leaves following title page, with preface and part of table of contents. Approx. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Extensive worming to title page and other leaves, affecting text and title page border, repaired with paper and tape. Open tears to several leaves, affecting text (singeing to one leaf). Title page partially detached. Paper repairs with slight damage to text in several places. Stamps. Early binding, mostly detached, with defects.
The present copy includes the final two leaves of errata. These leaves are lacking in many copies.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Responsa of R. Yosef Colon. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1557.
Engraved title page – architectonic gate surmounted by an eagle, with a depiction of the Akedat Yitzchak beneath the eagle.
Signature on the title page and front endpaper of R. Moshe Herzfeld Rabbi of Szilas-Bolhas (Mezőszilas), disciple of the Chatam Sofer and son-in-law of R. Daniel Prostitz (HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, pp. 348-349).
[12], 171, [1] leaves. 30.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor worming, not affecting text. Several marginal tears to title page, minutely affecting engraving (one tear repaired with tape; one open tear repaired with paper). Marginal open tears to several other leaves, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Several handwritten inscriptions. Original decorated leather-covered wooden binding, with clasp remnants. Damage to binding.
Engraved title page – architectonic gate surmounted by an eagle, with a depiction of the Akedat Yitzchak beneath the eagle.
Signature on the title page and front endpaper of R. Moshe Herzfeld Rabbi of Szilas-Bolhas (Mezőszilas), disciple of the Chatam Sofer and son-in-law of R. Daniel Prostitz (HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, pp. 348-349).
[12], 171, [1] leaves. 30.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor worming, not affecting text. Several marginal tears to title page, minutely affecting engraving (one tear repaired with tape; one open tear repaired with paper). Marginal open tears to several other leaves, not affecting text, repaired with paper. Several handwritten inscriptions. Original decorated leather-covered wooden binding, with clasp remnants. Damage to binding.
Category
Early Books and Miscellanea
Catalogue