![Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing pleasantly…". Livorno, [1766].
Decorated title page within arc](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/252_1.jpg "Manuscript – Sefer Pizmonim – Livorno, 1766 – Illustrated Title Page")
![Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing pleasantly…". Livorno, [1766].
Decorated title page within arc](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale109/252_2.jpg "Manuscript – Sefer Pizmonim – Livorno, 1766 – Illustrated Title Page")
Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Manuscript – Sefer Pizmonim – Livorno, 1766 – Illustrated Title Page
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $3,250
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, "Sefer Pizmonim (songbook), to sing pleasantly…". Livorno, [1766].
Decorated title page within architectural border. Italian square script, in brown ink. The manuscript contains 105 piyyutim and songs in Hebrew, for Shabbat and other occasions, to be sung out loud, as stated on the title page. Italian titles, with the musical terms Recitativo and Aria, were added to leaves 12-13.
Some of the piyyutim are not recorded in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry.
Many leaves in this volume are empty. Some of these leaves contain additions in a later handwriting. The empty leaves preceding the title page contain: an inscription in Italian, mentioning the year 1835 (in Hebrew); poems by the Radak, and other passages. Leaves [20]-[26], [28]-[29] contain various notes, copyings of poems, and more. Leaves [26]-[27] contain Italian inscriptions dated 1839, some signed by "S. de Paz".
The leaves at the end of the volume contain an index of the piyyutim, by the first scribe.
The signature of the researcher and collector Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam (in initials) appears on the first leaf. Stamps of the Montefiore collection appear in several places.
[1], 78 leaves (late pencil foliation). Leaves 30-75 are blank. Altogether 33 written leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. First leaf partially detached. Original leather binding, with slight defects.
Provenance: Collection of Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam, no. 395; London – Montefiore, no. 239.
Italian Jewry – Manuscripts and Letters
Italian Jewry – Manuscripts and Letters