Auction 11
Rare Hebrew Books & Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters and Judaica
By Taj Art
Contact auction house
Dec 24, 2023
Jerusalem, Israel
The auction has ended
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LOT 31:
Incunabula: Two Astrology Compositions by Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra. Venice, 1485. Rare!
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Sold for: $2,800
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$2,500 - $3,500
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Incunabula: Two Astrology Compositions by Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra. Venice, 1485. Rare!
Most rare, Latin incunabula comprised of two early astrology works (originally printed together):
1. Liber de Nativitatibus: Astrology work by Abraham Ludei [Sefer HaMoladot of Avraham HaYehudi]. The bibliographer, Moshe Steinschneider and others, attribute this composition to Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra. Some surmise that this work is a translation of the Hebrew book, Sefer HaMoladot by Ibn Ezra.
The researcher, Renate Smithuis opines that this composition was originally written in Latin, either by Ibn Ezra himself or under his direction.
In an article penned by Professor Selah, he concludes that the composition is based on Hebrew writings of the Ibn Ezra, but that it cannot be attributed to him.
2. Magistralis Compositio Astrolabi: Composition on the topic of the astrolabe– an astronomical instrument that serves as a star chart and physical model of visible heavenly bodies. Authored by Henry Bate (1246-1310), a philosopher, astronomer, astrologer and poet.
The compositions include a number of woodcuts: Opening letters are decorated, and there are ten astrology illustrations (including sketches of the heavens and others)
Venice, 1485. Erhard Ratdolt Press. Latin. Incunabula.
[22] leaves, missing [8] leaves (Pamphlet B of the composition is attributed to Ibn Ezra and includes a number of illustrations. 22 cm. Very good condition. Very few worm holes. A number of antique markings in ink in the margins of the text. Renewed cardboard binding with parchment spine and corners. Notes in pencil and ex-libris on endpapers.
Regarding the composition attributed to Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra see:
1. Abraham Ibn Ezra's Astrological Works in Hebrew and Latin, New Discoveries and Exhaustive Listing by Renate Smithuis: Aleph: Historical Studies in Science and Judaism, Volume 6, 2006.
2. Shlomo Sela, Origins and Transmission of Liber Abraham Iudei de Nativitatibus: A New Appraisal Based on the Scrutiny of the Available Manuscripts and other Sources. Revue des Etudes Juives p (2018), 317-352..
