Bidspirit auction | Sefer Eilim and Maayan Ganim

Sefer Eilim and Maayan Ganim – Amsterdam, 1628-1629 – With Portrait of Author – First Edition – Printed by Menasseh Ben Israel - Sefer Eilim, on mathematics, astronomy, philosophy and more, with diagrams, by R. Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo – known as the Yashar of Candia. Amsterdam: Menasseh Ben Israel, [1628-1629]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime. The book contains several works, in two parts. The first part of the book is Sefer Eilim, and the second part is Maayan Ganim (with a divisional title page), comprising four works: Sod HaYesod, Chukot Shamayim, Gevurot Hashem and Maayan Chatum. Sefer Eilim presents twelve ”wellsprings” and seventy ”palms” – comprising various uncertainties and questions, to be answered in the other parts of the book (the name and organization of the book is based on the Israelite encampment in Eilim as described in Shemot 15:27). The sections of the book deal with many scientific topics in the fields of geometry, algebra, chemistry, physics and medicine, and were written in the form of answers to questions addressed to the author by the Karaite scholar Zerach son of Natan of Troki. Considered one of the most important scientific works published in Hebrew in pre-modern times, it includes tens of detailed diagrams and illustrations (including character illustrations). After the title page of Maayan Ganim appears a leaf with a fine engraved portrait of the author, produced by W. Delff, after a drawing by W.C. Duyster. Around the portrait appears the caption: ”Ioseph del Medico Cretensis philosophus et medicus aet. XXXVII. Anno M.D.C.XXVIII”. At the beginning of Sefer Eilim are approbations by the rabbis of Venice, R. Simchah Luzzatto, R. Nechemiah Saraval and R. Yaakov LeBeit HaLevi. On verso of title page of Maayan Ganim, introduction by printer, Menasseh Ben Israel. The author, R. Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo of Crete , known as the Yashar of Candia (1591-1665) was a physician, philosopher, astronomer and mathematician, a disciple of Galileo Galilei (mentioned several times in the present book, and granted the honorific of Rabbi – ”my teacher”). This book figured centrally in scholarly debate of the time, both Jewish and Christian. Ownership inscription on first title page, erased with ink. Ownership inscription at front of binding (deleted by scraping). Handwritten inscriptions to endpaper, comprising detailed contents of Sefer Eilim and Maayan Ganim (dated Kislev 1920). More handwritten inscriptions on verso of engraving, in praise of the author. [1] portrait leaf, [6], 83; [2], 190, [2]; 80 pages. Does not include [1] leaf at beginning of book with contents in Latin. 17.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear to some leaves. Tears, including marginal open tears to title page of Sefer Eilim and several other leaves, repaired with paper, and tears to engraving leaf, repaired (engraving leaf reinforced by mounting on paper; text at bottom of leaf slightly affected by trimming). Worming near inner margins of several leaves. Stamps. Old leather binding, with gilt decorations to spine. Worming and defects to binding. Bookplate of the famous Parisian ”Librairie Lipschutz” inside the front board.