Nahmanides (Moses ben Nahman)

Sha'ar ha-Gemul (Gate of Retribution). Naples: Joseph ben Jacob Ashkenazi Gunzenhauser, Rosh Hodesh of Adar I, 5250 (22 January 1490)



Chancery 4to. (7¼ x 5 in.; 183 x 130 mm). Types 7B:100 (sc.), 5:246(sq.). 27 lines. collation: 1–3^{8 410: 34 leaves, 1/1r and 4/10v blank; several words censored, crude repairs of wormholes in top margin of first seven leaves, touching a few letters, and in bottom margins of other leaves, last two leaves with crude repairs not affecting text. Twentieth-century vellum, sprinkled edges, bulking leaves added at end.}

Censor's signature: Camillo Jagel, 1619

Offenberg 99; Goff Heb-89; Hain 11668; Steinschneider 6532.55; Thes A64; Iakerson 51; BMC XIII 57 (C.50.a.4)

Sha'ar ha-Gemul (Gate of Retribution). Naples: Joseph ben Jacob Ashkenazi Gunzenhauser, Rosh chodesh of Adar I, 5250 (22 January 1490) Chancery 4to. (7¼ x 5 in.; 183 x 130 mm). Types 7B:100 (sc.), 5:246(sq.). 27 lines. collation: 1–38 410: 34 leaves, 1/1r and 4/10v blank; several words censored, crude repairs of wormholes in top margin of first seven leaves, touching a few letters, and in bottom margins of other leaves, last two leaves with crude repairs not affecting text. Twentieth-century vellum, sprinkled edges, bulking leaves added at end. 20th-century vellum, sprinkled edges, bulking leaves added at end.
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. As noted in the colophon, this work is the final chapter (30) of Nahmanides' Torat ha-Adam (Law of Mankind), a discussion of Jewish law relating to illness, dying, and death. The full work was first printed in Constantinople in 1518 (see lot 83). The colophon is unusual in that Gunzenhauser includes his family name; more commonly, he signed as Joseph Ashkenazi. The date is given as the beginning of the month (Rosh Hodesh) of Adar I, 5250. Most bibliographies (Goff, Offenberg, BMC XIII, and many others) interpret this as 1 Adar I, corresponding to 23 January 1490, a Saturday. However, Adar I always has a two-day Rosh Hodesh, 30 Shevat and 1 Adar I. It is probable that Gunzenhauser's simple reference to "Rosh Hodesh" refers to the first day of Rosh Hodesh, thus 30 Shevat, thus Friday, 22 January 1490. It is noteworthy that the colophon is printed in Gunzenhauser's largest titling type. The traditional interpretation of the date as 1 Adar I, would imply that Gunzenhauser proclaimed proudly to contemporary readers that he had finished the work on the Sabbath.