Gal shel Egozim [expositions on the Book of Genesis].

EGOZI, MENACHEM.

Joseph Ascaloni for Dona Reyna, Duchess of Naxos

Belvedere, Constantinople

(c.1593-95)

Vinograd, Const. 306.

Following the death in 1593 of the Constantinople-based Hebrew printer Solomon Jabez, Dona Reyna, widow of the illustrious Don Joseph Nasi, and daughter of Dona Gracia, had much of her wealth expropriated from her. However, the remaining inheritance was used to establish a printing-press in her Palace of Belvedere in nearby Orta-Koy. For reasons unclear, the press was soon transferred to Kuru-Cesme, another suburb of Constantinople. Thus, “the noble lady of noble lineage” became the first Jewish woman to establish a printing-press. Menachem Egozi, the Turkish Talmudist and author of this work also served as an editor for the press at Belvedere. See: C. Roth, The House of Nasi-The Duke of Naxos (1948) pp. 217-19.