Auction 90
Fine Judaica Including: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Arts
Jul 21, 2020
(your local time)
USA
Brooklyn Navy Yard: Building 77 Suite 1108 Brooklyn NY, 11205
Terms of sale
View demo
The auction has ended
LOT 174:
(PARODY).
|
|
![]() |
Start price:
$
500
Estimated price:
$500 - $700
Auction house commission:
25%
|
(PARODY).
Polido, David Raphael. Zichron Purim [The last will and testament of Haman and his sons, and other related parodies].
First edition.
Ex-library, lightly stained. Recent boards. 12mo. Vinograd, Livorno 21; Davidson, Parody in Jewish Literature pp. 48, 195.
Livorno: 1703
According to Davidson (p. 48), this parody of an Ethical Will “seems to be the earliest effort in this line.” Signed by two witnesses with satiric names, Haman is described as languishing in prison awaiting execution, whereupon he calls in his family and reads his will of twenty sections. The poetical section entitled ‘Hakafoth’ contains interesting word-play, for example: Haman’s soul will go to ‘Me’arath Ha’afelah’ (a dark cave) a play on ‘Me’arath Hamachpelah.’ This is followed by a Hashkavah - a requiem for their souls. The postscript ‘Chok Lane’arim’ provides a vivid description of the manner of celebrating Purim in the author’s day.
According to Davidson (p. 48), this parody of an Ethical Will “seems to be the earliest effort in this line.” Signed by two witnesses with satiric names, Haman is described as languishing in prison awaiting execution, whereupon he calls in his family and reads his will of twenty sections. The poetical section entitled ‘Hakafoth’ contains interesting word-play, for example: Haman’s soul will go to ‘Me’arath Ha’afelah’ (a dark cave) a play on ‘Me’arath Hamachpelah.’ This is followed by a Hashkavah - a requiem for their souls. The postscript ‘Chok Lane’arim’ provides a vivid description of the manner of celebrating Purim in the author’s day.

