Bidspirit auction | Seder Chamishah Ta’aniyot – Complete

Seder Chamishah Ta’aniyot – Complete Copy with the Rare Engraving of the Destruction of Jerusalem – Magnificent Artist’s Binding with Gold Tooling. Amsterdam, [1726] - Seder Chamishah Ta’aniyot, following the custom of the Sephardic communities. Amsterdam, 5486 [1726]. An exceptional complete copy, including the rare illustrated preliminary title page with an engraving of the Destruction of Jerusalem. Bound in a magnificent original leather binding with elaborate gold tooling, executed by a renowned Amsterdam master bookbinder, of whose work only approximately thirty bindings are known worldwide. Order of prayers for the Five Fasts according to the Sephardic rite, including the Shacharit service and the prayers for Tisha B’Av. Printed in Amsterdam by Isaac ben Solomon Raphael Judah Leon Templo. Leaves 111–115 contain the Haftarah for Tisha B’Av with a Ladino translation, verse by verse. The Rare Preliminary Title Page – The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Rebuilt Temple At the beginning of the volume is an impressive and rare illustrated preliminary title page. Its upper section depicts the Destruction of Jerusalem with the inscription “Zecher LaChurban” (“A Remembrance of the Destruction”); beneath it appears a depiction of the Temple rebuilt, accompanied by the verse: “The Sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.” The completeness of the present copy is particularly significant: in many copies, the preliminary title page and the opening leaves are lacking, whereas they have been preserved here. Rare Artist’s Binding – Amsterdam, Early 18th Century The importance of this copy is further enhanced by its magnificent original leather binding, richly decorated with gold tooling and complemented by gilt edges. The binding is attributed to a prominent and renowned master bookbinder active in Amsterdam and its environs between 1705 and 1741, of whose exceptionally accomplished work only approximately thirty luxury bindings are known today. His work was distinguished by its exceptional craftsmanship and characteristic style and is referred to in the professional literature as Konstboeken-binderij (“Art-Book Bindery”), a designation associated with five known bindings he produced for special art books. See: Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana – Treasures of Jewish Booklore, p. 71. An exceptional collector’s copy, combining rare bibliographical completeness—including the engraving of the Destruction of Jerusalem, absent from many copies—with a magnificent original master binding from the period. [5], 138 leaves. 19 cm. White paper. Condition: Very good. Minor age stains. Gilt edges. Impressive original leather binding with gold tooling. Minor defect to the upper part of the spine.