Ben Sira with Talmudic tales - anthology of various compositions and selections. [Constantinople: Astruc de Toulon, 1519].
The anthology (when complete) comprises the following works: Alpha Beta of Ben Sira; Tale about R. Yehoshua ben Levi; Twenty-four things which preclude repentance; Signs of the Messiah; Fast days; Midrash Megillat Esther; Seven things which preclude prayer; Maaseh Torah by Rabbenu HaKadosh (R. Yehuda HaNasi); Letter sent by Prester John to the Pope in Rome; Tale about Avraham Avinu; Book of Eldad HaDani; Tales of the Talmud; Sefer Zerubavel; Midrash VaYosha; Tobias (Jewish apocrypha), and Orchot Chaim by R. Eliezer HaGadol.
This copy features several leaves from an unknown variant (in comparison with other copies known to us: the Mehlman copy and the Valmadonna copy, currently in NLI, the JTS copy in New York and the copy of the Bavarian State Library). These leaves feature typographic variations, omission of lines, a different heading and more. The variant leaves are: [19-20], [22] and [24] (original pagination).
Incomplete copy. [54] leaves. Originally: [80] leaves. Lacking: title page; leaves [2]-[13] and [15]-[18] of Ben Sira; leaves [21], [23], [25]-[30], [32]. Altogether lacking: [26] leaves (the missing leaves were replaced with photocopies, apart from the title page and Ben Sira). Large amounts of text lacking from leaves [22], [31] and [33], replaced with photocopies. Leaf [14] of Ben Sira detached. Leaf [31] bound back to front. Approx. 18 cm. Condition varies, fair to fair-poor. Stains. Worming. Damage and tears affecting text. Entire book professionally restored. Stamp. New leather binding.
The title page of this book is extant in only a few copies, and bibliographers who saw the book without its title page gave it various names (A. Yaari, HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, no. 60, lists a copy comprising only [62] leaves, and named it "Likutim VeChiburim"). In 1997, the Valmadonna Trust Library in London published a limited facsimile edition of the complete book, including the title page, based on the library's copy.