Bidspirit auction | Torah, Prophets and Writings –

Torah, Prophets and Writings – Amsterdam [1700–1705] – Rare Rashi Edition – Complete and Magnificent Set in an Exceptional State of Preservation - A complete Bible with Rashi’s commentary, in four volumes, with a magnificent general title page engraved on copper and separate title pages for each section. Amsterdam, [1700–1705]. Offered here is one of the finest and most remarkably preserved copies of this important edition. The set retains its original leather bindings, richly decorated with magnificent gold tooling, preserved in such exceptional condition that they appear almost as though they have just left the bookbinder’s workshop. The original gilt edges have likewise survived with remarkable completeness and brilliance, indicating that the volumes were scarcely used over the course of more than three centuries. This is the more desirable edition – with Rashi’s commentary – considerably rarer than the parallel edition without Rashi, printed in the same year by the same printing house. The first title page is an impressive architectural copper engraving, among the most beautiful title pages printed in Amsterdam at the beginning of the 18th century. At its foot appears the handwritten signature of the publisher, Rabbi David Nunes Torres, Rabbi of the Portuguese-Sephardic community in The Hague, certifying that this is an original copy of the edition that was proofread and published under his supervision. The printing of this edition extended over approximately five years. The Pentateuch was printed in 5460 [1700], while the remaining sections of the Bible appeared during the following years, with the project completed in 5465 [1705]. The general engraved title page was likewise printed in that year and is therefore lacking in some copies; the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book even records a copy without this title page. The present copy includes the engraved general title page. Rabbi David Nunes Torres [d. 1728] was one of the prominent figures of the Sephardic-Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam. A disciple of Rabbi Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, he served as Rabbi of the Portuguese-Sephardic community in The Hague. He worked at the printing house of Immanuel Athias and proofread, among other works, the present edition of the Bible and the edition of Maimonides’ Yad HaChazakah [1700–1701]. In 1707 he published critical comments on the Chiddushei Halachot of the Maharsha and was involved in several of the well-known controversies among the sages of Amsterdam. Contents of the volumes: Torah and Five Megillot: [1], 348, [3], 349–402 leaves. Separate title page for the Five Megillot. The “Table of Haftarot According to All Customs” is bound before the Five Megillot section. Former Prophets: 205 leaves. Latter Prophets: [1], 207–500 leaves. Writings: 310 leaves. 12.6 cm. Condition: Very good. An exceptionally well-preserved set. The original leather bindings, richly decorated with gold tooling, are in a remarkable state of preservation; the original gilt edges have likewise retained an extraordinary brilliance. Several inscriptions and handwritten glosses. Tiny tears to the margins of several title pages, with no loss of text. Otherwise, a magnificent and exceptionally impressive copy. Housed in a new custom-made case.