Minchat Chinuch - First Edition, Printed Anonymously - Parts One and Three - Lviv, 1869

Minchat Chinuch - First Edition, Printed Anonymously - Parts One and Three - Lviv, 1869
Minchat Chinuch, "A wide-ranging commentary to Sefer HaChinuch, with tremendous pilpul and wondrous, wide-ranging erudition", parts I and III. Lemberg (Lviv): R. Uri Ze'ev Wolf Salat, [1869]. Without part II.
First edition of the book, published anonymously in the lifetime of the author - R. Yosef Babad Rabbi of Tarnopol, as stated on the title page: "Composed by one of the greatest Torah scholars of our times, who is holy and pure, and published it anonymously out of his exceptional modesty… was published through the efforts of R. Reuven Kohen Rappaport". Only in the second edition, printed in Lviv 1889, approx. 15 years after the passing of the author, did the publisher reveal the name of the author. Over the years, Minchat Chinuch became a basic book in the world of scholarly and in-depth study, in all study halls, in Galicia and Poland, Lithuania or Hungary, and throughout the Jewish world until this day. To date, hundreds of thousands of copies have been printed in dozens of different editions, apart from dozens of books discussing his teachings and questions.
Parts I and III only, without part II. [2], 116 leaves; [2], 105, 5 leaves. Lacking [3] leaves at the end of part III (part III originally comprised: [2], 105, [2], 4, [1] leaves. Leaf 5 at the end of part III in this copy was supplied from a later edition). 36.5 cm. Some brittle leaves. Fair condition. Tears, creases, worming and extensive wear to first two leaves (leaves partially detached). Stains and wear. Worming. Tears and damage to final leaves, affecting text. Light mold stains. Old binding, worn and damaged.