Tur Choshen Mishpat, with Beit Yosef. Sabbioneta: Tobias Foa, 1559. First edition with the Beit Yosef commentary by R. Yosef Karo (author of the Shulchan Aruch).
The title page contains various ownership inscriptions in Italian script (most of the names of the signees are erased). Two scholarly marginal notes in Italian script. Censor deletions. Censorship inscription and signature on the last page, dated 1607.
332 leaves. 38 cm. Thick, high-quality paper. Condition varies, most of the leaves in excellent condition. Stains. Slight worming. Mold stains to the last leaves, with wear affecting margins of the last leaf. The top corner of the title page is cut (lacking). Contemporary leather binding (Italy), rubbed and slightly damaged.

Toaliyot HaRalbag, in the order of the five books of the Torah and Neviim Rishonim, by R. Levi son of Gershon. Riva de Trento: [Antonio Bruin], 1560. First edition.
In his commentaries on the Torah and Neviim, the Ralbag wrote the lesson and moral learnt from each verse and section. This book is a compilation of all the morals which the Ralbag included in his commentaries to Torah and Neviim Rishonim.
A Latin inscription (censorship authorization) appears on the title page, dated 1613.
40; 27 leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Minor wear to some leaves. Worming affecting text to approx. first 20 leaves. Early binding, damaged.

Shoresh Yishai, commentary on Megillat Ruth, by R. Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz - author of Lecha Dodi. Constantinople: Solomon ibn Usque, [1561]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Corrections and deletions in Italian script on one leaf. Several censor deletions.
Ownership inscription in the margin of the title page: "Belongs to the wealthy R. Zusman Yavetz of Kolno, Łomża" (father of writer and historian Zev Yavetz).
96 leaves. 20 cm. Good condition. High-quality, thick paper. Stains. Stains and light wear to the title page and a few other leaves. Slight worming to inner margins in several places, repaired. New binding.

Tanchuma, called Yelamdenu, a Midrash on the Five Books of the Torah. Mantua: Giacomo Ruffinelli, 1563.
This edition was arranged by R. Ezra of Fano, with the addition of new sections of the Midrash, which were not printed in the Constantinople and Venice editions preceding it. All subsequent editions were based on this edition (see: Shlomo Buber, Mevo HaTanchuma, Chapter 14, pp. 163-180).
106 leaves. 29.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears (repaired) to the title page (top left corner repaired with pieces of paper) affecting the border and the text on the verso. Printer's note at the bottom of p. 71b slightly trimmed. A few inscriptions and marks. Minor damage. Old binding with early leather spine. Wear and damage to the binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.

Meor Einayim, by R. Azaria de Rossi (min HaAdumim). Mantua, 1574.
Divided into three parts: Kol Elokim (account of the earthquake in Ferrara in 1570), Hadrat Zekenim (about the Septuagint) and Imrei Bina (various essays and homilies).
R. Azaria de Rossi (1512-1578, Otzar HaRabbanim 16731) was an Italian scholar, proficient in Torah and science. His book Meor Einayim was banned by Italian rabbis immediately after its publishing, having found it containing teachings opposing tradition and disrespectful to the words of Chazal. The book was brought before R. Yosef Karo – the Beit Yosef, who ordered the book to be banned, yet the ban was never applied. The Maharal sharply criticizes the book and his book Be'er HaGolah was reputedly written in response to this book (despite the book's negative standing, there are authors who quote it and the Sdei Chemed endorses them, writing that the fact the Beit Yosef's ban was never applied is a sign from Heaven that the book is acceptable).
During the controversy over the book, a condition was made with R. Azaria that six leaves (52-53, 81-82, 87-88) containing unfit ideas must be replaced, and that he print and attach to his book the objection of R. Moshe Provençal to his words.
Dr. Mehlman writes on the endpaper that leaves 81-82 of the book are the original, non-replaced leaves. However, our research seems to show that in this copy, all the leaves are of the replacements (see enclosed photocopy). Two leaves of "objection" by R. Moshe Provençal were bound at the end of the book, followed by four leaves with the author's "response to the objection".
Three notes in early Oriental handwriting appear in the book. The top of the title page contains a (trimmed) signature: "…son of R. Yom Tov HaKohen". The subsequent leaf contains a stamp: "Who is hoping for salvation of G-d, Yisrael son of R. Yom Tov HaKohen". Additional signatures on the title page: "Chai Moshe Picciotto" (rabbi in Aleppo, author of VaYechal Moshe. Died 1816, see: Likdoshim Asher BaAretz, entry 452), signature of "Yehoshua Zorogon".
194 leaves. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming. Repaired damage to first and last leaves. New half-parchment binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.