Sefer HaShorashim. Constantinople, 1513.

Sefer HaShorashim. Constantinople, 1513.

Post-Incunabula From the Valmadona collection.

Sefer HaShorashim, Volume Two. Famed composition of Rabbi David son of Yosef son of Kimchi (Known as The Radak). The book is part of the composition, “HaMichlol”.

The endpaper features various ancient, handwritten ownership listings.

The printing begins on the second page, and the copy does not include a title page, as is characteristic of many incunabula and post-incunabula copies.

In his book about Constantinople’s Hebrew printing (Jerusalem 1967 page 20-21), Avraham Ye’eri writes: “In some books the first leaf is blank, and the title page or poem is not printed on it.”

One of the first books printed in Constantinople. This copy is in exceptionally great condition, with outstanding leaves and margins!

Sefer HaShorashim: In his grammar book, HaMichlol, the Radak delves into the wisdom of early Grammar experts, including Rabbi Yehudah Haiuj, and Rabbi Yonah Ibn Janach. The Radak’s primary approach in his book is based on his brother, Rabbi Moshe’s teachings. Rabbi Moshe innovated a number of grammar rules. The first part of the book deals with grammar. The second part is comprised of a Hebrew language alphabetically-arranged dictionary, according to word roots. Over the years this part of the book became known as Sefer HaShorashim – The Book of Roots. During the later period of the Renaissance, some of the Radak’s grammar theories began to be uses. Rabbi Eliyahu Bachur added glosses and explanations to both parts of the book, entitles his work ‘Nimukim’.

Constantinople, 1513. Shmuel Rikomin and R. Astruc de Toulon Press . Post-Incunabula.

[132] leaves. 30 cm. Very good condition. Beautiful, new, leather binding.

Otzar Hasefer Computerized Database No. 58101.

Most rare and magnificent copy of a fundamental grammar book, post-incunabula edition.