Torah “Tikkun Sofrim”,  Amsterdam, 1726

Complete Set in Original Bindings ...

Torah “Tikkun Sofrim”,  Amsterdam, 1726

Complete Set in Original Bindings

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Complete set of Chamishah Chumshei Torah with Haftaros in 6 volumes with illustrated title pages in good condition. Each volume is bound in its original Amsterdam leather binding and features gilded engravings and edges.

Each Volume features a magnificent copper engraved title page, illustrated by Bernard Picart with images from Tanach and a depiction of angels bearing a Torah crown.

The impressive title pages are from the French master artist Bernard Picart (1673-1733), one of the most sought-after copper engravers and illustrators in Europe in the17th-18th Century . Picart’s artwork, which often expressed cultural or religious themes, were popular in the world of Judaica art. On the bottom corner of the title page is his printed signature and date(1725).

This remarkable edition of Tikkun Sofrim was printed in the famed Amsterdam style by dignitaries and philanthropists of Amsterdam’s Sephardic community. The title page illustrations of Moshe, Shmuel and David are allusions to the names of the philanthropists who sponsored the printing of the set.

This is, undoubtedly, one of the most extraordinary editions of Tikkun Sofrim printed.

Amsterdam, 1726.

Bereishis: [9], 81. Shmos: [1], [82]-149. Vayikra: [1], [150]-188. Bamidbar: [1], [189]-267. Devarim: [1], [268]-327. Haftaros: [1], [328]-446, [4] leaves. 16, [1] sides . 1 6 last sides are written in Portuguese, of which sides [3-8] are folded index pages. Size: 16.5 cm.

Provenance: Sotheby's Dec. 2007.

Private Collection, Five Towns NY.

The Art of Bookbinding

18th century bookbinding was regarded as a form of art, and professional bookbinders of the era competed in the production of artistic creations. Bookbinding was considered a prestigious vocation, and successful bookbinders occupied a distinguished status in society. Often, young bookbinders apprenticed themselves to the veterans in order to acquire the range of skills required to flawlessly bind a book.

The elaborate bindings and jackets characteristic of this era expressed the honor that the public assigned to the written word, and it became a trend for wealthy or influential figures of a high socioeconomic standing to custom-order special bindings for their books which sometimes cost double that of the actual book itself!

Master bookbinders manufactured ornate bindings and jackets from a range of superior materials such as high quality leather, leather-bound wooden matrixes, and fine parchments. Many of the bindings were engraved or embossed with elaborate decorations, and the edges of the book were sometimes hand-painted gold by an artist.

In our catalogue you will find a fine presentation of some of the most beautiful custom

bindings created in this era, allowing us to do away with the maxim ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.

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