Post-Incunable
Lashon Limudim. First Edition. Constantinople, 1506
Ancient book of Hebrew grammar by Rabbi David ben Yichya, a leading sage in Lisbon during the era of the Spanish Expulsion. His work Lashon Limudim was enthusiastically received and studied by his contemporaries to the extent that it was already reprinted twice within the first fifty years after its original publication.
Rabbi David ben Yichya was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1440. With the influx of Spanish Jewish refugees into Portugal following the Spanish Expulsion, Rabbi David endeavored greatly on their behalf, sought to lift their downtrodden spirits and bolster their faith. Unfortunately, his devoted efforts evoked the ire of King Johann II who accused him of encouraging the anusim to return to their Jewish faith. Rabbi David had to flee to Turkey and he remained there until his passing in 1504.
The last 8 pages are an essay entitled Shekel Hakodesh a composition on hebrew poetry and proper song writing. This is the first rabbinic print on this subject .
Constantinople, 1506. First edition. Printing Press of Brothers David & Shmuel Nahmias. [60] leaves. Page size: 18 cm. The first page (1b) boasts a decorative border. The first and last pages were professionally restored with all text intact. Owner’s signature – Rabbi Yitzchak Lampronti (1679-1717), Av Beis Din of Ferrara, author of Pachad Yitzchak. New leather binding.
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First Printing Press in Constantinople
The first Jewish printing house in Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, was founded by the Nahmias family – Spanish expatriates who had fled the Inquisition to Turkey. This press (which was also the first press in all of the Middle East), began with printing fundamental Jewish texts. Many of these were based on handwritten manuscripts which had been taken with theirSpanish and Portuguese owners into exile. Without the Constantiople press, it is likely that the vast majority of these manuscripts would have vanished over the years. All books printed during this era are extremely rare and sought-after by collectors and libraries worldwide.
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Colophon
The colophon text reads as follows: “To make the wisdom of grammar a glorious wisdom and essential to understanding the Scriptures. This essay, called Lashon Limdum, is straight and pure…
“This work was completed on 19 Elul, 1506, Greater Constantinople…”
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