Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Toldot Adam – Livorno, 1657 – First Edition of Part II of Responsa of the Rashba
Opening: $300
Sold for: $550
Including buyer's premium
Toldot Adam, Part II of Responsa of the Rashba, with Responsa of R. Molin HaLevi – the Maharil. Livorno: Yedidiah son of Yitzchak Gabbai, author of Kaf Nachat, [1657]. First edition.
The book comprises 405 responsa by the Rashba, known as Part II of Responsa of the Rashba. This part was not available to leading poskim such as the Beit Yosef, the Sma, the Shach and the Taz. The Knesset HaGedolah does not mention this part in Mahadura Kama of his book, and begins referring to it only in Mahadura Batra.
Inscription on several leaves at beginning: "From the Zera Moshe yeshiva – Yad Ramah…".
8; 104 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large, dark dampstains to first leaves. Worming, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Tears and open tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired with paper. Inscriptions (deleted). New binding.
One of the first books printed in Livorno.
The first Hebrew press in Livorno was founded in 1650 by Yedidiah Gabbai, son of R. Yitzchak Gabbai, author of the Kaf Nachat commentary on the Mishnah. It was active for only nine years, and Hebrew printing in Livorno was resumed only 82 years later. Yedidiah Gabbai's son Avraham immigrated to Izmir, where he established its first printing press; the Gabbai family press later moved to Salonika.
The end of this book, like others printed by the family, features three crowns (resembling the printer's device of Bragadin in Venice), with a caption playing on the Gabbai family name: "There are three crowns, and the crown of a good reputation is superior to them (Gabeihem)".
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries
Books Printed in Livorno – 18th-19th Centuries