Opus toti christianae reipublicae maxime utile, de arcanis catholicae ueritatis, contra obstinatissimam Iudaeorum nostrae tempestatis perfidiam: ex Talmud, aliisque hebraicis libris nuper excerptum [about the secrets of Christianity opposing the obstinacy and lack of faith of the Jews of our times, according to the Talmud and other books], by Pietro Galatino, Ortana (Italy), 1518. Printed by Gershom Soncino.
Latin with many Hebrew quotes from the Scriptures and the Talmud. At the beginning of each chapter is a wood-cut illustrated frame [this frame was also used for the title pages of the Hebrew books printed by Gershom Soncino, e.g. the Kol Bo, Rimini 1515-1516].
First edition of a Latin anti-Jewish work, written by the Italian Friar Minor and philosopher Pietro Colonna Galatino (Petrus Galatinus). Hebrew poems praising the book, written by Jewish apostates, appear on the title page and the following page.
Gershom Soncino, one of the leading Hebrew printers in Italy, who wandered with his printing tools throughout various Italian cities, printed three books in Ortona, one of them in Hebrew. this is the first book he printed in Ortona and it is unclear why he agreed to print this anti-Jewish book (he probably knew its content). Possibly, he was forced to print it by the Christian Inquisition or compelled to do so for some unknown reason.
CCCXI, [1] leaves. 29 cm. Varied condition, most leaves in good-fair condition, the title page, the following leaf and several of the last leaves are torn, with open tears (restored with paper). Stains, dampness traces and wear. Ancient parchment binding, with minor damages.