Sepher Arba’ah Ve’Esrim. With commentary Minchath Shai.

(BIBLE).

Raphael (Isaac) Chaim d’Italia the Physician

Mantua

1742

FIRST EDITION of commentary by Yedidiah Solomon Norzi. Edited by Raphael Hayim Basila. Four parts bound in two volumes. Each part preceded by magnificent engraved frontispiece displaying eight Biblical vignettes with printer’s device (Yaari no.121) at top. Main and divisional titles in red and black. With distinguished provenance reflective of Anglo-Sephardi pedigree (see below).

Vinograd, Mantua 397; Darlow & Moule 5150.

First edition of this most important and comprehensive commentary to the Masorah, with significance for almost every word throughout the Bible in which the possibility for error or variant reading exists. Extraordinary frontispiece depicts the Deity as represented in the Prophet Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Chap. 37), among many other impressive Biblical scenes. The appearance of such an illustration is most anomalous in a Jewish book. See C. Roth, Jewish Art (1961) cols. 25-6 (illustrated). Provenance: Stamp of: Dayan David Meldola of London (1797-1853). Bookplate of: Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885). Stamp of: Haham Moses Gaster (1856-1939). Custom binding of: Yeshivat Ohel Moshe VeYehudit (Judith Lady Montefiore College). Ramsgate, Kent.