Auction 44
Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
By Kedem
Contact auction house
Mar 11, 2015
8 Ramban St, Jerusalem., Israel
The auction has ended
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LOT 14:
Igeret Orchot Olam - First Book in Hebrew Containing a Description of America - Prague, 1793 - With Illustrations
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Start price:
$
800
Buyer's Premium: 23%
VAT: 17%
On commission only
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Igeret Orchot Olam - First Book in Hebrew Containing a Description of America - Prague, 1793 - With Illustrations
Igeret Orchot Olam, by Abraham ben Mordechai Farissol. With the compositions: Igeret Teiman, called Petach Tikva, by Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon; Yesod Moreh V'sod Torah, by Avraham Ebn Ezra. Prague, 1793. Published by Rabbi Yisrael Landau, son of the Nodah B'Yehuda.
Igeret Orchot Olam is the first Hebrew composition written about the discovery of the "New World". The first part gives a general description of Earth, its division into climate zones, continents and countries. The second part focuses on discoveries by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, and describes in detail how Vasco de Gama traveled to India via the Cape of Good Hope. One chapter is dedicated to America and describes the country and its inhabitants. This is the first Hebrew composition with a description of America.
The book is accompanied by three impressive copper-etching illustrations, by the artist Anton Balzer [from
the same city and time as the publisher], and by comments and additions of Rabbi Yisrael Landau and other sages.
Ancient ownership inscriptions.
[8], 96, [2] leaves. 18 cm. Good condition, stains. Tear to one leaf. Ancient binding, with damages.
