Masoret HaMasoret, grammatical and Masoretic composition, by R. Eliyahu Bachur-Ashkenazi. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, [1538]. First edition.
This copy belonged to the author's grandson, the apostate Vittoria Eliano, a famous proofreader in Italian printing firms who assisted his grandfather in proofreading this edition. Ownership inscription at the top of the title page in Italian script: " This book is mine, so says Vittorio, grandson of the grammarian R. Eliyah HaLevi". This is followed by an additional inscription: " Acquired with my money, I, Vittorio, previously named Yosef son of Yitzchak". A further inscription by Vittorio at the foot of the title page.
Additional inscription: "I, Gershon son of R. Moshe HaKohen Rofe". The names in all the inscriptions were crossed out, yet remain legible. Two other inscriptions are deleted in a way that they are no longer legible.
The book contains many inscriptions and emendations (including some which don't appear in the errata). Lengthy handwritten inscriptions on leaf 87 (in Italian script) relating to the final poem. Several glosses in Latin. Glosses by several writers.
Two errata leaves were added at the end of the book. In his introduction to the errata, the author writes that he asked his grandson Yosef to assist him in proofreading the book. The grandson mentioned is the apostate Vittorio, owner of this copy. A handwritten inscription (deleted with ink) appears near the words "my grandson Yosef", and it appears to read: "now named Vittorio… 28th October 1548".
Vittorio Eliano (b. 1528), whose Jewish name was Yosef, was the son of R. Yitzchak son of R. Yechiel Pihem of Bohemia, son-in-law of R. Eliyahu Bachur. Yosef converted to Christianity shortly before the passing of his grandfather, and he was joined several years later by his brother Solomon Romano, who adopted the Christian name Giovanni Battista. Both brothers became Catholic priests, and were largely responsible for the condemnation and burning of the Talmud. Giovanni Battista is recorded as one of the apostates who caused the burning of the Talmud in 1553, while his brother Vittorio was connected to the burning of Jewish books in Cremona (see: Benayahu, HaDfus HaIvri BeCremona, pp. 95-99; Benayahu raises doubt as to Vittorio's involvement in the decree and the exact part he played in it). Concurrently, Vittorio Eliano became a prominent proofreader and censor of Hebrew books. He first worked in Cremona (1557-1560), and later in Venice (1560-1567), and finally in Rome. In the colophons of books he proofread, he would pride himself of his prominent grandfather R. Eliyahu Bachur the grammarian. Vittorio was also one of the proofreaders of the first edition of the Zohar, printed in Cremona in 1559-1560.
In the rhymed preface to this book, R. Eliyahu Bachur refers to the famous proofreader Yaakov son of Chaim son of Adoniyahu, editor of the Bomberg Mikraot Gedolot edition printed in Venice, as "previously named Yaakov". This phrase indicates that this Yaakov converted to Christianity (see enclosed material). One gloss in this copy, in Italian script, relates to this: " It appears from this that the author of the Mikra Gedolah converted, and so I heard from elders".
12, 15-87 pages, [2] leaves (without [1] blank leaf found in some copies between pages 12 and 15). Final leaf, after errata of Masoret HaMasoret, contains errata for the book Tuv Taam (originally printed with this book). Approx. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming to upper part of leaves, not affecting text. Inscriptions. New binding.

Leaf fragments of Tractate Shabbat from the Babylonian Talmud, printed in Soncino by Gershom Soncino, [ca. 1489]. From the first edition of the Babylonian Talmud to be printed.
Leaf fragments from a "bindings genizah", some forty fragments of Tractate Shabbat – fragment of chapter I, (equivalent to folio 4a-b); fragment comprising end of chapter V and beginning of chapter VI; fragments from chapters III, IV and VII; many fragments from chapters XV-XIX; and more.

Fragments of this tractate are extant in several libraries around the world, however, to the best of our knowledge, this section parallel to leaf 4 is the only existing copy of this section and is not found elsewhere.
Leaves of the first Talmud edition printed by the Soncino family are particularly rare, for several main reasons: 1. The printing was done clandestinely, for fear of the Christian authorities, following the 13th century burning of the Talmud Papal decrees (in 1239 and 1264). For this reason, the printing of the entire Talmud was not completed by the Soncino family (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, pp. 8-9). 2. Many copies which were sold to Spain and Portugal were lost during the expulsion and forced conversions in 1492-1497. 3. Many copies were later burnt in the 1553-1554 burning of the Talmud in Italy (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, ibid. p. 15). 4. Many copies were worn out from constant use (this was the only edition printed for several decades).
In this edition, the Tosafot were for the first time set as an integral part of the Talmud page layout, alongside Rashi's commentary (unlike Talmud editions printed in Spain, were only the Rashi commentary was printed alongside the text of the Gemara. See: Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Sefarim, Gemara entry). The type of Tosafot included in each tractate was also determined here for future generations (mostly Tosafot of Touques. Regarding the Soncino family's choice of Tosafot for each tractate, see: Shem HaGedolim by the Chida, Maarechet Sefarim, Tosafot of Sens entry). In contrast, the page layout (and leaf numerals) in this edition is different to the one accepted today, which was only determined in the subsequent Bomberg edition.
The Soncino family, a Jewish family whose members were amongst the first Hebrew printers, took its name from the town Soncino, in northern Italy, where the family settled and established their first printing firm. There, they began publishing the Babylonian Talmud tractates (concurrently, printing of several tractates began in Spain). The first tractate, Berachot, was printed in 1484. Due to difficulties and troubles which befell them, the Soncino family were compelled to wander with their printing tools, and settled in various towns throughout Italy. Wherever they settled they continued their work and published prominent Hebrew books.
Approx. forty fragments (including more than ten large fragments, almost the size of the original leaf, or most of it). Size varies. Various degrees of damage due to use in binding.

Talmud edition printed by R. Leib son of R. Yosef Shmuel, complete set in twelve volumes. Amsterdam and Frankfurt am Main, [1715-1722].
The dayan R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib son of R. Yosef Shmuel of Krakow began printing the Amsterdam Babylonian Talmud edition in 1714. He printed 16 parts, until Tractate Ketubot, and was then compelled to interrupt the printing in 1717. In 1720, he resumed the printing of the edition in Frankfurt am Main (in the printing firm of Johann Kölner), from Tractate Kiddushin onwards. When he completed the printing of the entire Talmud, he printed once again the tractates he had printed earlier in Amsterdam (see: R. N.N. Rabinowitz, Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, Jerusalem 1952, pp. 109-111). The present set is comprised both of volumes printed in Amsterdam and volumes printed in Frankfurt am Main (all the volumes printed in Amsterdam are present, apart from the Berachot volume which was part of the volumes reprinted in Frankfurt, with all the rest of the edition printed in Frankfurt). The last tractate printed in Amsterdam (Ketubot) is bound together with the first tractate printed in Frankfurt (Kiddushin).
On the title pages, the publisher thanks R. Yissachar Bermann Segal of Halberstadt for allowing him to print the present Talmud edition even though the copyright term set by the rabbis in their approbation to R. Yissachar's Talmud edition (printed in Frankfurt an der Oder 1697-1699) had not elapsed yet. On the title pages of the volumes printed in Frankfurt, the publisher also thanks the renowned philanthropist R. Shimshon Wertheim (Wertheimer) of Vienna, who donated "a tremendously large sum" towards the printing expenses.
In some copies of this edition, the title page contains a lengthy notice in Latin, describing the contents of the tractate and declaring that it was printed according to the censorship of Marco Marini in the Basel edition. This notice appears on most title pages in the present set.
This edition includes many emendations and additions: the text was revised based on the corrections of the Maharshal and the Maharsha; the Masoret HaShas and Ein Mishpat compositions were greatly expanded and added in places where they didn't previously appear; previously unpublished sections of Tosafot from manuscripts were added; and more. Other important additions were included in the tractates printed in Frankfurt am Main: "Index to the Laws of the Rosh", in tractates Kiddushin, Gittin and Nedarim and in Order Nezikin; Tosafot for tractate Horayot (printed here for the first time); the Chesed Avraham commentary to Rambam's Shemonah Perakim; many illustrations relating to the Talmudic commentaries, including a plan of the Second Temple (at end of tractate Middot). Likewise, the Rambam's commentary on Mishnayot was printed at end of each tractate (see list of all the additions and innovations in this edition in Rabinowitz's Maamar al Hadpasat HaTalmud, pp. 101-105; 110-111). R. N.N. Rabinowitz praises the superiority of this edition: "…and this edition is superior to all previous editions, for its great value, additions and glosses, and it served as a prototype for all future editions…" (Rabinowitz, p. 111).
Twelve volumes, as follows:
1. Berachot, with Mishnayot Order Zera'im, with commentaries. Frankfurt am Main, [1721-1722].
2. Shabbat and Eruvin. Amsterdam, [1715-1716].
3. Pesachim. Amsterdam, [1716]. Betzah. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Chagigah and Mo'ed Katan. Amsterdam, [1716].
4. Rosh Hashanah, Taanit. Amsterdam, [1717]. Yoma. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Sukkah. Amsterdam, [1717]. Shekalim, Megillah. Amsterdam, [1716].
5. Yevamot. Amsterdam, [1717]. Ketubot. Amsterdam, [1716]. Kiddushin, Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
6. Gittin, Nedarim, Nazir, Sotah. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
7. Bava Kama, Bava Metzia. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
8. Bava Batra, Avoda Zara. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
9. Sanhedrin, Shevuot, Makkot, Eduyot, Horayot (with Avot DeRabbi Natan, minor tractates, Tractate Avot with the commentary of the Rambam and Chesed LeAvraham and Halachot Ketanot by the Rosh). Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
10. Zevachim. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Menachot, Bechorot. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
11. Chullin. Frankfurt am Main, [1721]. Arachin, Temurah, Keritot, Me'ilah, Kinnim, Tamid, Middot. Frankfurt am Main, [1720]. The chronogram on the title page of Chullin indicates 1723, yet it was presumably printed in 1721.
12. Niddah, Mishnayot Order Taharot with three commentaries. Frankfurt am Main, [1720].
Ownership inscriptions and stamp of "R. Yitzchak Heilperin of Lublin" on the title page of Tractate Berachot (the stamp reads: "Iźbica Lub."). Several ownership inscriptions on the title page of Tracate Bava Kama (some deleted), including: "This Gemara belongs to the community leader, R. Gumpel…"; "Gumpel… of Frankfurt an der Oder"; "Belongs to the exalted leader, my beloved R. Elazar Kann of The Hague…".
Set in twelve volumes. • Berachot and Order Zera'im: [3], 2-100; 87 leaves. • Shabbat and Eruvin: [5], 2-191; 117, 119-130 leaves. • Pesachim, Betzah, Chagigah and Moed Katan: 121, 121-138; 51; 26, 26-27; 44 leaves. • Rosh Hashanah, Taanit, Yoma, Sukkah: 41; 35, [1]; 95; 68; 13; 36, 36-38 leaves. • Yevamot, Ketubot, Kiddushin: 148; [2], 2-145, 150-153; 97 leaves. • Gittin, Nedarim, Nazir, Sotah: 116; 59, 61-106; 69; 52 leaves. Lacking leaf 60 of Tractate Nedarim. • Bava Kama, Bava Metzia: 146; 158, [1] leaves. • Bava Batra, Avoda Zara: 219; 97 leaves. Tractate Avoda Zara without title page (many copies of this tractate were printed without title page). • Sanhedrin, Shevuot, Makkot, Eduyot, Horayot, Avot DeRabbi Natan, Minor Tractates, Tractate Avot and Halachot Ketanot of Rabbenu Asher: 129; 61; 28; 14; 16, [2]; 33; [1], 38-52 leaves. • Zevachim, Menachot, Bechorot: [2], 2-121, 121-126; 113, [4]; 73 leaves. • Chullin, Arachin, Temurah, Keritot, Me'ilah, Kinnim, Tamid, Middot: 177; 36, [1]; 36; 30, [1]; 36, [1], 37-38, [2], 41-43 leaves. • Niddah, Mishnayot Order Taharot with three commentaries: 88; 178 leaves.
Approx. 35-36 cm. Thick, high-quality paper in many copies. Overall good to fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears in various places, including large tears to some title pages, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Large tears to some leaves (particularly to two volumes of Order Nashim, Tractates Nedarim and Kiddushin), with significant damage and loss to text, repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text in various places. Many stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New, uniform leather bindings.

Two manuscripts bound together – formulary of legal documents, novellae, poems, homiletics and short Torah thoughts. Italy, 1560s.
The first manuscript comprises texts of legal documents, novellae, poems and various selections. The second manuscript is a composition named Leket Pe'ah, containing selected homiletics and short Torah thoughts on verses and teachings of the sages. Both manuscripts were presumably scribed by R. Yedidia (Amadio) son of R. Moshe of Recanati (see below). An inscription by R. Yedidia appears inside the front board, within an ornamental circular frame: "…on Sunday, 19th Adar II, 10th March, 1566, I travelled from my home in San Marino (Italy) towards Rome, and I reached Rome on Thursday, 14th March 1566…". Inside the back board, there is another inscription by R. Yedidia: "Mine, Yedidia son of R. Moshe of Recanati, a resident of Marino". There is a third inscription at the end of his poem in honor of his wife (see below), dated 1569.
The first manuscript contains many texts of legal documents, with wording distinctive of Italian Jewry: betrothal contracts, ketubot, divorce, wills, monetary legal documents (debts, rent, authorization, guardianship, and more). Many glosses and additions in the margins, including alternative texts, laws and notes pertaining to documents, and other selections.
On p. [2a], text of a betrothal contract, including the name of the place: Rimini and the year: 1565. Some documents contain a sentence relating to Italy, such as: "I wish this will to be valid everywhere, Venice, Lombardy, Bologna, Romagna and Marche, France, Spain and in all states of Italy".
On p. [8b], text of a will "instituted by R. Toviah", opening with a poetic introduction. This is followed by "A different introduction by R. Baruch Chazak".
P. [14a] contains a poem composed by the writer in honor of his wife, concluding: "composed by Yedidia son of R. Moshe of Recanati, in honor of Yentela his wife… 5th September 1569".
On p. [14b]: poem composed by the author in honor of R. Avraham Ibn Ezra, with an acrostic of his name: "Amadio son of Moshe".
Lists and diagrams of forbidden and permitted marriages, and of family ties which are valid or disqualified for testimony, on pp. [17b]-[18a].
On p. [19b] – a story about a tailor and Don Alfonso King of Spain.
The second manuscript is a compilation of homiletics and short Torah thoughts (allusions, acronyms and numerical values). The first page states: "Sefer Leket Pe'ah". This is presumably a transcript of an unknown composition authored by a R. Eliezer. The author is mentioned several times in the manuscript.
Ownership inscription at the foot of the first leaf: "The brothers, sons of the Yosef Yisrael Ravà".
The writer, R. Yedidia (Amadio) son of R. Moshe of Recanati was a Torah scholar and scribe active in Rimini, San Marino, Rome, and other places in Italy. There are several extant compositions he authored and manuscripts he copied. He translated Moreh Nevuchim to Italian, and dedicated it to the Rama of Fano.
[34] leaves (including two blank leaves). 21-22 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear and tears. Tears affecting text to several leaves. Original leather binding, damaged and detached.

Decorated parchment manuscript, Sephardi-rite selichot, produced by Mazal Tov (Fortunata) Fiano. [Italy], 1793.
Pocket size. Black and gold ink on thin parchment leaves. Title page within architectural border with geometric and floral motifs. Text on each page set within gold frame.
The title page indicates that this selichot was produced by Mazal Tov daughter of R. Yehuda Fiano, in 1793.
This manuscript was produced by Fiano for her private use. The selichot follow Sephardi-rite, and some of the piyyutim are still recited today in the Florence rite.
Original leather binding with fine gilt decorations. The front and back boards bear the Fiano family emblem (see enclosed material) within a medallion, with the initials of the scribe and owner of the manuscript: F.F. (= Fortunata Fiano).
The Fiano family is a prominent Jewish family originating from Rome (named after the town Fiano Romano, which the Jews were expelled from in 1569). The members of the Fiano family resided in Rome and Ancona, and from the 18th century, also in Florence.
[17] leaves (and three blank parchment leaves). Approx. 12 cm. Good condition. Stains (several dark stains). Ink fading in several places. Fabric bookmark. Original leather binding.
For more information about female scribes and copyists, see: A.M. Haberman, Nashim Maatikot, Kiryat Sefer XIII (Nissan 1936), pp. 114-120. Haberman compiled a list of manuscripts scribed by women; however, the present manuscript is not listed there.