Tikkunei ha-Zohar, edited by Emanuel ben Jekutiel Benionto, Mantua: Meir ben Ephraim of Padua and Jacob ben Naphtali ha-Kohen of Gazolo, 1558

152 leaves (8¼ x 6 in.; 210 x 152 mm). [4],1-146 [2]. Woodcut architectural title border, woodcut head- and tail-piece; title soiled and stained, upper outer corner of title and second leaf mended, owners' notes on title, recto of second leaf and recto of final leaf, marginal notes on ff. 18r, 30r, 31v, occasional dampstains, spotting and soiling. Eighteenth-century blind-tooled maroon morocco, decorated in a panel design; joints and edges rubbed.

Vinograd, Mantua 59; Mehlman 1119; Steinschneider 3492

152 leaves (8¼ x 6 in.; 210 x 152 mm). [4], 146 [2]. Woodcut architectural title border, woodcut head- and tail-piece; title soiled and stained, upper outer corner of title and second leaf mended, owners' notes on title, recto of second leaf and recto of final leaf, marginal notes on ff. 18r, 30r, 31v, occasional dampstains, spotting and soiling. Eighteenth-century blind-tooled maroon morocco, decorated in a panel design; joints and edges rubbed.
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

Tikkunei ha-Zohar, a separately published portion of the larger Zohar, the magnum opus of Jewish mysticism, comprises a commentary to the opening pericope of the book of Genesis, named after the initial word of the text, Bereshit.  The book was designed to contain 70 tikkunim, or chapters, an allusion to "the 70 aspects of the Torah," but there are several additional tikkunim added at the end of the book (ff. 137-146). Each tikkun begins with a new interpretation of the word bereshit (in the beginning.) 

In an inscription found on the last leaf of the volume, the owner of this kabbalistic treatise relates a "good" dream he had in which he saw several great scholars, including the putative author of the Zohar, Simeon bar Yohai, a second century sage. The inscription records that the dream occurred on Wednesday, 13 Nov 1591.