Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
Sodot Gedolim MiChachmei HaEmet – Constantinople, 1515 (Post-Incunable) – First Printing of the Writings of the Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe de Leon, Revealer of the Zohar
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Sold for: $5,250
Including buyer's premium
Sodot Gedolim MiChachmei HaEmet [Great Secrets from the Kabbalists], part of the book Avkat Rochel, attributed to R. Machir son of Yitzchak Sar Chessed. [Constantinople, 1515].
The present book comprises most of Avkat Rochel, printed in Constantinople in its early years of Hebrew printing. The book originally began with six leaves of part I – "Signs of the ten wars of King Machiach". The present item contains the part named Sodot Gedolim MiChachmei HaEmet, which forms the majority of the book. Colophon on the final leaf: "This book was completed… Tuesday, 15th Kislev 1515, Constantinople…".
This book was attributed to R. Machir son of Yitzchak Sar Chessed, disciple of the Rosh, yet in fact these are writings of the kabbalist R. Moshe de Leon, revealer of the Zohar, later printed in his book HaNefesh HaChachamah (Basel 1608). These writings were also published under the title Matok LaNefesh, erroneously attributed to R. Avraham Zacuto (see listing in Bibliography of the Hebrew Book).
The first leaf features a poem by R. Moshe de Leon (see: Davidson, Thesaurus of Hebrew Mediaeval Poetry, no. 245).
A few glosses in early Sephardic script (from time of printing).
[14] leaves. Originally: [20] leaves. Lacking first six leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. A few tears in several places. Paper reinforcements. Without binding.
Yaari, HaDfus HaIvri BeKushta, no. 44.
The present book comprises most of Avkat Rochel, printed in Constantinople in its early years of Hebrew printing. The book originally began with six leaves of part I – "Signs of the ten wars of King Machiach". The present item contains the part named Sodot Gedolim MiChachmei HaEmet, which forms the majority of the book. Colophon on the final leaf: "This book was completed… Tuesday, 15th Kislev 1515, Constantinople…".
This book was attributed to R. Machir son of Yitzchak Sar Chessed, disciple of the Rosh, yet in fact these are writings of the kabbalist R. Moshe de Leon, revealer of the Zohar, later printed in his book HaNefesh HaChachamah (Basel 1608). These writings were also published under the title Matok LaNefesh, erroneously attributed to R. Avraham Zacuto (see listing in Bibliography of the Hebrew Book).
The first leaf features a poem by R. Moshe de Leon (see: Davidson, Thesaurus of Hebrew Mediaeval Poetry, no. 245).
A few glosses in early Sephardic script (from time of printing).
[14] leaves. Originally: [20] leaves. Lacking first six leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. A few tears in several places. Paper reinforcements. Without binding.
Yaari, HaDfus HaIvri BeKushta, no. 44.
Books – 16th-17th Centuries
Books – 16th-17th Centuries