Igerres Dofi Hazman. Venice, 1598
A composition denouncing human vanity, as opposed to investing in meaningful pursuit, along with commentary on Midrashim and parables with letters written by Rabbi Yitzchak Ovadya. Published by the Venetian editor Rabbi Shmuel ben Deisus.
The author was a disciple of Rabbi Shem Tov Melamed, author of Kesser Shem Tov (see p. 106b). Among the letters printed is a letter endorsing the redemption of Greek Jewish prisoners from Turkish captivity, as well as an endorsement letter for Yeshivas Ein Zeitim which was under the auspices of Rabbi Moshe ben Machir, author of Seder Hayom (p. 101a).
The title page bears the stamp of the Admor Harav Nachum Dov Ber Friedman, grandson of the holy Harav Yisrael of Ruzhin, with a stamp bearing the words “Minchas Shai” which he used to stamp the books he received as gifts from his chassidim.
Venice, 1598. First edition. 111 leaves. Page size: 13 cm. Title page slightly cropped on left side, with small restored hole on bottom left corner. Owners’ signatures and censor marks. leather binding. Rare.
Provenance: Schoken Collection
…………………………………….. . ……………….
Publisher’s Signatures
A known, (though relatively rare) phenomenon in this era, was for publishers and authors to sign their names on the first page of a book. The primary purpose was to prevent the theft and sale of books, as demonstrated in many cases by signatures that were followed by the inscription: “A book without my signature is stolen property.”
The first known Jewish book to feature a publisher’s signature is the present book, Dofi Hazman, in which the name of Venetian editor and publisher Rabbi Shmuel ben Deisus appears on the title page. The signature is a facsimile of his flowery signature. Interestingly, this is also the first known Jewish book to include a facsimile!
…………………………………….. . ……………….
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Any inquiries about this lot?
