Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Shoshanat HaAmakim / Einei Moshe / Devarim Tovim / Masat Moshe / Devarim Nichumim – Venice, 1591-1601 – First Editions of the Alshich's Commentaries on the Five Megillot – Complete Five-Volume Set
Opening: $2,500
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $5,500
Including buyer's premium
The five books of R. Moshe Alshich on the five Megillot, in five volumes. First editions of all works.
· Shoshanat HaAmakim, on the Book of Shir HaShirim. Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1591. Printed in the lifetime of the author. Signature on p. 30a: "Lipman son of R. Itzik Pussweiler [=Bouxwiller]".
· Einei Moshe, on the Book of Ruth. Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1601. Signature on p. 30a: "Eliezer Lipman Pussweiler".
· Devarim Tovim, on the Book of Kohelet. Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1601. Signature on p. 30a: "Lipman Pussweiler".
· Masat Moshe, on the Book of Esther. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, 1601. Ownership inscription on title page: "Aharon son of R. Elyakim". Ownership inscription on back endpaper: "This book belongs to the officer R. Yosef Willstätt, the tax collector of the Jewish community of Metz. Signed today, Tuesday, 12th Av 1745" (R. Yosef son of R. Lemele Willstätt, a dayan of Metz; an approbation by him appears in Even Yisrael, Metz 1766). Lengthy gloss on p. 16b, signed: "Masud Adahan".
On p. 84b fine woodcuts, depicting the figures of Mordecai, Ahasuerus, Esther and Haman, as well as the feast of Purim, and the mitzvot of gifts to the poor and mishloach manot.
· Devarim Nichumim, on the Book of Eichah. Venice: Zuan (Giovanni) di Gara, 1601. Signature on p. 30a: "Eliezer Lipman son of R. Itzik Pussweiler".
Shoshanat HaAmakim is the only one of the five books to have been published during the lifetime of the author. All the other books were printed by the author's son, R. Chaim Alshich, about a year after his father's passing.
Five books in five volumes. Shoshanat HaAmakim: 60 leaves. Einei Moshe: 46, [1] leaves. Devarim Tovim: 39, [3] leaves. Masat Moshe: 86 leaves. Devarim Nichumim: 38, [1] leaves. 19-19.5 cm. Condition of volumes varies, good to good-fair. Stains, including dampstains. Tears, including open tears. In Shoshanat HaAmakim, marginal open tears to several leaves (with singeing to paper), and open tear to one leaf, affecting text, repaired with paper (with handwritten replacement of text). Worming to Masat Moshe, slightly affecting text. New bindings.
Early Printed Books – Italy
Early Printed Books – Italy