Large handwritten leaf, a copying of the regulations limiting the number of Shochtim (ritual slaughterers) in Constantinople, from the years 1687 and 1696, with the signatures of R. Refael Avraham Hayun (emissary of Jerusalem and Hebron) and R. David HaKohen. [Constantinople, between 1770 and 1800].
Sephardic scribal script. A regulation from 1687, limiting the number of Shochtim in Constantinople to 11, was copied at the top of the page, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Matitya ibn Arviyo, R. Shmuel Ikshino, R. Chaim Egozi and R. Yosef Kassavi).
Another regulation, from 1696, was copied thereafter, strengthening the previous regulation and threatening anyone who breaches it, with the copied signatures of the rabbis of the town (R. Avraham Rosanes, Eliya Alfandari, Eliezer ibn Shangi, Shmuel Rosanes and Yehuda Refael Kimchi).
A copying of the confirmation appears next, testifying that "this document was copied from the original verbatim…", with the copied signatures of R. Menachem HaLevi and R. Yehuda Sivilio, followed by an additional passage confirming that this is an accurate copying of the copying. Two (calligraphic) autographic signatures appear at the end of the last section, of "the young David HaKohen" and "the young Refael Avraham Hayun".
The second signee is possibly R. Avraham Hayun, a scholar from Eretz Israel, who travelled around Turkey as emissary of Jerusalem and Hebron in 1790 and 1800 (and then passed away in Izmir), he published the books Shalmei Tzibur and Shalmei Chagiga by R. Yaakov Yisrael Algazi, with his own additions and notes (see: Yaari, Shluchei Eretz Israel, pp. 558-559 and 604).
Large leaf (folded), 39.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to the margins. Folding marks. A few tears at the folds.