With commentary by Moses Maimonides and Obadiah Bertinoro

(MISHNAH)

and Mantua, Jacob Cohen of Gazzolo

Sabbioneta, Tobias Foa, 1559

1561

Four parts (of six) bound in two volumes. Each part with own title page within woodcut architectural border. Numerous woodcut text diagrams

Vinograd, Sabbioneta 50 and Mantua 80; Mehlman 106; not in Adams.

The first two Orders were printed by Foa in Sabbioneta and then completed in Mantua. Complete sets are rare. The Hebrew press at Sabbioneta escaped lightly from the storm of Papal condemnation of Hebrew books which was raging at the time in Venice and Rome. Indeed, the Sabbioneta Hebrew press flourished between the years 1551 and 1559, and books never previously published treating aspects of Christianity were issued with considerable freedom. The decree of Pope Paul III in 1553 passed over the city without apparent effect; a tribute to the liberality and culture of the ruling prince of the province. The Mantua volumes were the last books to be typeset by Jacob Cohen of Gazolo before he retired. He had served at the press of Foa in Sabbioneta and came to Mantua in 1556 where he established a reputation for splendid typographical work. See Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy, pp.288-93 and 325