Mahalach Shvilei HaDa'at. Mantua, 1563. With the Rare Leaves

Mahalach Shvilei HaDa'at. Mantua, 1563. With the Rare Leaves

Sefer Mahalach Shvilei HaDa'at on the study of vowelization by Rabbi Moshe Kimchi, with a commentary by Rabbi Eliyahu HaBachur. Mantua, 1563. Pedigree copy.

Composition in the form of a (vowelized) poem on the art of vowelization, with a detailed commentary, paragraph by paragraph.

Colophon on page 62b: Completed and printed at the clock tower here in Mantua at the Pilotarsi and Clidano Philiponi Brothers' press." The "clock tower" is probably the Torre dell'Orologio, a Renaissance symbol built in the 15th century on which an astronomical clock was installed during its construction. It still stands today in Mantua.

This copy has an additional two leaves, which according to Dr. Yisrael Mehlman's lists are "extremely scarce." These include, on the last two leaves, "Abbreviated Division of Verbs, " "Strategies" a story and a mathematical riddle by Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra, with the solution; "Rhyme against Mockers" and more. These end with a colophon on page 64b: "Completed on ... Shushan Purim 1563 ..."

Italian inscription on the back of the title page: "Bought with my own funds, Yisrael Bassan, Mantua."

Ginzei Yisrael - Osef Mehlman 1255, which lists an incomplete copy. The National Library has several copies, but only the one from the Valmadonna collection is complete, including the two leaves at the end.

[64] leaf, 14.5 cm.

Fine condition. Aging stains. Magnificent antique leather binding.