Abraham ibn Ezra

Perush ha-Torah (Commentary on the Pentatech). Naples: Joseph ben Jacob Ashkenazi Gunzenhauser and his son [Azriel], 36th day of Omer [5]248 (2 May 1488)



Chancery folio (11 x 8 in.; 280 x 203 mm). Types 6:90 (sc.), 5:246 (sq.). Metalcut (?) passepartout (Thes A60.1). Double-column, 47 lines (variable). collation: 1–11^{8 1210: 97 (of 98) leaves; lacking fol. 98 with colophon, quire 2 misbound (sheet 4.5 on the outside), quire 10 misbound (sheet 3.6 between sheets 1.8 and 2.7), quire 11 misbound (sheet 1.8 bound in front of the 3 other sheets), quire 12 misbound (sheet 2.9 on the outside), words and passages censored, that on 2/5r heavily, with a spreading stain, portion of fol. 1 torn away with words lost from last 17 lines of column a, and similarly fol. 97 with loss of about half the text of the outer columns, scattered annotations, including pen-trials on fol. 1r in Hebrew, Latin, and Italian. Despite these flaws, the paper generally strong. Nineteenth-century marbled boards, dark green morocco spine and tips, marbled endleaves, edges stained brown.}

Offenberg 56; Goff Heb-1; Hain 23; GW 114; Steinschneider 4221.1; Thes A60; Iakerson 47; BMC XIII 53 (C.50.d.12)

Perush ha-Torah (Commentary on the Pentatech). Naples: Joseph ben Jacob Ashkenazi Gunzenhauser and his son [Azriel], 36th day of Omer [5]248 (2 May 1488) Chancery folio (11 x 8 in.; 280 x 203 mm). Types 6:90 (sc.), 5:246 (sq.). Metalcut (?) passepartout (Thes A60.1). Double-column, 47 lines (variable). collation: 1–118 1210: 97 (of 98) leaves; lacking fol. 98 with colophon, quire 2 misbound (sheet 4.5 on the outside), quire 10 misbound (sheet 3.6 between sheets 1.8 and 2.7), quire 11 misbound (sheet 1.8 bound in front of the 3 other sheets), quire 12 misbound (sheet 2.9 on the outside), words and passages censored, that on 2/5r heavily, with a spreading stain, portion of fol. 1 torn away with words lost from last 17 lines of column a, and similarly fol. 97 with loss of about half the text of the outer columns, scattered annotations, including pen-trials on fol. 1r in Hebrew, Latin, and Italian. Despite these flaws, the paper generally strong. Nineteenth-century marbled boards, dark green morocco spine and tips, marbled endleaves, edges stained brown.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition. The commentary of ibn Ezra (1089-1164) is distinguished by its sharp and independent reasoning, and he has been seen as the "father" of Biblical criticism because of his hints that Moses could not have been the literal author of the Torah. The colophon names both Joseph Ashkenazi (Gunzenhauser) "and his son", and records that it was completed just before "the entrance of the bride", that is, the onset of Shabbat. Conceivably, this was intended to convey that it was completed not only on that day, but late in the afternoon (sunset in Naples on this day is about 7:00 pm). The colophon further names the editor and corrector, Moses ben Shem Tov ben Habib, Sephardi, who states that he was from the Jewish community of Lisbon, where he had a school, and that he was sojourning in Naples.