Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Ruach HaChen / Letter of the Rambam to the Rabbis of Marseille – Cologne, 1555 – Hebrew and Latin / With Latin Book of Poetry – Munich, 1570
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,750
Including buyer's premium
Three books in one volume, two Hebrew works with Latin translations, with another book in Latin:
• Ruach HaChen, Physica hebraea, philosophical-scientific work attributed to R. Yehudah ibn Tibbon, with Latin translation by the apostate Johann Isaac Levita. Cologne: Iacobus Soter, 1555. Hebrew and Latin on facing pages.
This work is attributed to R. Yehudah ibn Tibbon, but there is no evidence that he is the true author. Some attribute the work to R. Yaakov son of R. Abba Mari Anatoli, a Provençal scholar, but this attribution also appears to be erroneous, leaving the author's identity unknown. The book has been published in many editions over time.
• De Astrologia, Rabbi Mosis filii Meimon epistola, letter of the Rambam on astrology, addressed to the rabbis of Marseille, with Latin translation by the apostate Johann Isaac Levita. Cologne: Iacobus Soter, 1555. Hebrew and Latin on facing pages.
With Latin introduction (some words in Hebrew).
The work comprises the letter of the Rambam to the sages of Marseille regarding astrology and its use, and the Rambam's opinion absolutely discounting it.
The Hebrew text of the letter was first printed with Responsa and Letters of the Rambam (Constantinople, ca. 1514).
• Bound with:
Anacreonticorum Odae, by Johann Aurpach. Munich: Adam Berg, 1570. Latin.
Latin poetry in the style of Anacreon.
Latin ownership inscriptions on title page and blank leaf at end of book.
Ruach HaChen: [15], 157, [2] pages. Letter of the Rambam: [43] leaves. Anacreonticorum Odae: [46] leaves. 15 cm. Partially dark paper. Fair condition. Stains. Much worming to margins, affecting text. New binding, with leather spine and corners.
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 16th-17th Centuries