Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts

Machzor with the Kimcha DeAvishuna Commentary – Bologna, 1540 – Two Parts in Two Volumes – Handwritten Glosses

Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium

Roman-rite machzor, with the Kimcha DeAvishuna commentary. Prayers and piyyutim for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. Including: Passover Haggadah, and Tractate Avot with the commentaries of the Rambam and R. Ovadiah Sforno. Bologna: [Menachem son of Avraham of Modena, Yechiel son of Shlomo of Ravenna and Dan Aryeh son of Shlomo Chaim of Monselice, 1540]. Two parts in two volumes.
One of the most prominent machzorim printed in Italy. First edition of Kimcha DeAvishuna, comprehensive commentary on prayers and piyyutim, by R. Yochanan son of R. Yosef Treves (the commentary was published anonymously), as well as first edition of the commentary of R. Ovadiah Sforno to Tractate Avot, printed in his lifetime.
Both volumes contain many handwritten glosses in cursive script (several trimmed). In first volume, glosses by several writers, most additions from halachic and ethical works. After introduction, lengthy gloss on morning conduct (including the halachic measure of reviit in the local Venetian ounce, as well as an idea cited from R. Shmuel Aboab of Venice, d. 1694). On first leaf of the volume, lengthy inscription on birth of twins to a couple who had been infertile for twenty years.
In second volume, glosses in neat cursive Italian script by a writer from Mantua, who frequently mentions the customs of the great synagogue in his city (e.g. pp. 17a, 145a).
Censorship expurgations in a few places. Signatures of two censors on last leaf of volume II.


Two parts in two volumes. Vol. I: [197] leaves. Missing title page and leaves [9], [16] (with handwritten text replacements for both middle leaves). Vol. II: [188] leaves. Missing title page. 29.5-31 cm. Overall fair condition. Stains, including dampstains, and wax stains in several places. Heavy wear. Many tears, including open tears affecting text, partially repaired with paper. New bindings (uniform).
Fewer than twenty Hebrew books were ever printed in Bologna. This machzor was one of the last books printed there.


Provenance: Collection of Prof. Eliyahu Shmuel Hartom.

Siddurim and Prayer Books
Siddurim and Prayer Books