Bidspirit auction | Rare Sefer Yesod with Dozens

Rare Sefer Yesod with Dozens of Woodcut Illustrations! Mashal Hakadmoni - Venice, 1547 - Mashal Hakadmoni, an early Mussar book containing proverbs, fables and poems aimed at teaching Mussar and virtues. The book is written in the format of a dialogue between the author and an wise opponent, each party using proverbs and animal fables to introduce his moral positions. The work was authored by Rabbi Yitzchak ben Shlomo ibn Sahula (the 13th century), a Spanish philosopher, physician and Mekubal. The author emphasizes in his introduction that he was not influenced by from non-Jewish proverbs and fables and all his proverbs have a purely Jewish origin. Published by the printer Meir ben Yaakov Franconi, Venice - 1547. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 460.  An ancient Jewish work whose first edition is the first illustrated Hebrew book ever published (by Gershom Soncino in Reisha - 1491). In this edition, the illustrations were renewed rather than copied from the 2 previous ones. This edition contains 79! woodcuts depicting scences from the proverbs and fables, with figures of animals and humans.  64 leaves. approx. 19 cm. Fine copy in a new leather binding. Leaf 4 was completed with a professional photocopy. Tears along the edges of 2 leaves were professionally restored, including completion of text. Some professionally restored tears. Marks of usage and minor blemishes. Good overall condition.