Machzor for the High Holidays, Sephardi rite. Bombay, [1841]. Lithograph.
First Hebrew book printed in Bombay.
Hebrew printing firms were established in Bombay following the development of two Jewish communities in the city - the Bene Israel community and the community of Baghdadi Jews led by R. David Sassoon. The books printed in the city can thus be divided into two categories - those printed for Bene Israel, and those printed for the Baghdadi community. The first four books published in Bombay, in 1841-1853, including the present book, were printed by Jews from Cochin who settled there, and were all intended for the Bene Israel community. In 1855, the Beit David society of Baghdadi Jews also began publishing books. For many years, all books printed in Bombay were printed in lithography. In 1859, Binyamin Yitzchak Ashkenazi attempted to establish a letterpress printing firm and printed the book Sharh Ruth. This was however the only book printed in letterpress, after which Bombay remained without a printing firm for 22 years. Beginning in 1882, several printing firms were established in Bombay, including The Bombay Education Society's Press, which printed books both for the Bene Israel and Baghdadi communities; The Anglo-Jewish and Vernacular Press; Hebrew and English Press; the press of Yehuda David Ashkenazi and Son.
Ownership inscription on the endpaper and title page (in Hebrew, English and Malayalam).
[1], 41, [1] leaves. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Minor wear. Large tear to one leaf, affecting text, without loss. Worming, slightly affecting text. Margins of title page reinforced with paper, with slight damage to border. Handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, with damage and worming.