Bidspirit auction | ISAAC NATHAN BEN KALONYMOS. Meir

ISAAC NATHAN BEN KALONYMOS. Meir Nathiv [Biblical concordance]. FIRST EDITION. Opening title within architectural arch. Initial word within an elaborate cartouche. The Shemtov Gaguine copy  with his signature at the end of the introduction. And with Sangorski invoice (1955) for restoration and rebinding (nine pounds and fifteen shillings). ff. 404 (of 405, lacking second half title, found in few copies, prior to the text). Title mounted, lower margins of first few leaves repaired, some stains in places, previous owner’s inscription on opening title, trace foxed on a few leaves, slight marginal worming in places. Recent half morocco. Thick folio. Vinograd, Venice 93. Venice, Daniel Bomberg, 1524. First Edition of the First Hebrew Concordance of the Bible. The author prepared this work to assist Jews engaged in polemical debate with Christians. The text is ordered according to the roots and stems of the words, and the Biblical Books are arranged according to the order of the Vulgate. On the identity of the author, see A. Tauber, Kiryat Sepher Vol. II, pp. 141-44, reprinted in Mechkarim Bibliographiyim, pp. 59-62. Tauber takes issue with Graetz and Reggio who state that Isaac Nathan is the author. Tauber maintains that Isaac Nathan wrote only the introduction, while the actual compiler was his relative Mordechai Nathan.