Bidspirit auction | Chochmat HaMazalot – Basel, 1527

Chochmat HaMazalot – Basel, 1527 – First Edition – Illustrations – Signatures - Chochmat HaMazalot, Kalendarium Hebraicum, edited by Sebastian Münster. Basel: Johann Froben, 1527. Hebrew and Latin. First edition. Anthology of works and various passages on the subject of the Hebrew calendar, partially translated into Latin. Includes selections from Seder Olam Zuta, Sefer HaKabbalah by R. Avraham son of R. David HaLevi and other works. Many fine woodcut initial panels. Two leaves with large astronomical illustrations (one of the illustrations features Münster's town Heidelberg at the center). Various additional charts and illustrations. Printer's device of Johann Froben on title page and last leaf. On title page, ownership inscription in Sephardic script: ”Belongs to me, Avraham Vecinho son of Azriel”. This may be the signature of R. Avraham Vecinho, who signed a letter of R. Moshe ibn Machir along with R. Yitzchak Gershon in Venice, 1600. His father (mentioned here with a blessing for the living) may be R. Ezra son of R. Yosef Vecinho. He and his father were astronomers (the topic of the present book). His father, R. Yosef (José) Vecinho, served as physician to King John III in Lisbon, and was an acquaintance and advisor of the explorer Christopher Columbus. Another ownership inscription on title page (in Italian script, somewhat faded). Glosses and inscriptions in Latin in several places, and notations within text to some leaves. On title page and several other places, names of Sebastian Münster are deleted with ink or scraping, sometimes resulting in open tears as a result of ink erosion. [7], 200, [16] pages, [2] plate leaves (plates are usually partially folded, but in the present copy, these leaves are bound so as to obviate the need for folding). Approx. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears, including open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text in several places, partially repaired with paper. Worming. New parchment binding. Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.