Neviim Acharonim, with the commentary of R. Yitzchak Abarbanel. [Pesaro: Gershom Soncino], 1520. First edition. Two volumes.
Title within a woodcut ornamented border, containing the details of the printing and printer: "Printed in Italy by… a Jew from Soncino renowned amongst the Jews, [1520]…". In some copies, the verso of the title page is blank, however, in this copy it bears a long poem comprised of 52 stanzas written by the author's son, entitled: "Words of Yehuda son of the commentator, to glorify my father's commentary to the books of the Neviim", and opening with an acrostic of "Yehuda son of Isaac Abarbanel".
The book of Yeshaya contains (trimmed) marginal notes in Italian script, most particularly lengthy, by an unidentified writer. Several lengthy marginal notes in Sephardic script (Turkey and the Balkans) appear on one page of Hoshe'a and one page of Michah.
This edition was printed around 12 years after the passing of the author, R. Yitzchak Abarbanel. At the end of his commentary to the book of Yeshaya, the author writes that "the beginning of this commentary was written in the island of Corfu on Rosh Chodesh Av 1495, and since this work was postponed in deference to other compositions, I completed it in Monopoli in the region of Apulia… on Rosh Chodesh Elul [1498]…".
The famous Jewish printer Gershom Soncino, a leading Hebrew printer in Italy, wandered with his family and printing equipment through various Italian towns. In each place he settled, he printed Hebrew books. In Pesaro, he printed some Talmudic tractates and other books. He also printed the first part of the Abarbanel commentary, to Neviim Rishonim, in Pesaro, in 1511.
Incomplete copy. [392] leaves. (Originally: [398] leaves; lacking the first [5] leaves (including the title page) and leaf [398] – a blank leaf). This copy is divided into two volumes, which are comprised of different copies. Vol. I: First [5-195] leaves, until the end of the book of Yirmiya. 29.5 cm. Condition varies, good-fair, most of the leaves are in good condition. Stains. Signs of past dampness in several places. First three leaves detached. Tears (repaired) and wear to the title page, slightly affecting the border. Inner margins of first leaves repaired, not affecting text. Worming to first 10 leaves, affecting text. Binding partially detached. Vol. II: Next 197 leaves, until the end of Malachi. The last leaf (a blank leaf) is lacking. 31 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Minor worming. The leaves of this volume were professionally restored. Open tears (repaired) to the last (approx. 10) leaves, affecting text. New leather bindings. The words "Pesaro [1512]" were erroneously embossed on the spine of Vol. II, however, this volume is actually the continuation of the first volume and was printed in Pesaro in 1520.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.