Milchamot Hashem, philosophical work by R. Levi son of Gershom, the Ralbag. Riva di Trento: [Yaakov Marcaria and Antonio Bruin], 1560. First edition.

On title page: "Milchamot Hashem… the fine parts of the books of Aristotle and other famous philosophers". First edition of the work (the second edition was printed over 300 years later).

Title page with decorated frame and with mark of the printer and physician Yaakov Marcaria, containing the emblem of Prince-Bishop Cristoforo Madruzzo (see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 28; note on p. 135).

On the verso of the title page the publisher Yaakov Marcaria addresses the controversy surrounding this work by the Ralbag: "Although some of his statements appear to contradict our Torah and the Jewish sages… and many call it 'Milchamot Im Hashem' (wars with G-d)… he defended himself against this in the introduction to the book…".

Signature on title page: "Belongs to me, Elisha of Portaleone" (apparently the father of R. Shmuel Portaleone, a disciple of R. Menachem Azariah [Rama] of Fano).

On last leaf, signatures of the censors Domenico Gerosolimitano and Domenico Carretto.

75 leaves. 29.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Small singe mark on last leaf, with open tear, slightly affecting text. Close trimming, slightly affecting illustrated title frame. Old binding with leather spine. Front binding and spine partially detached. Wear and damage to binding (tears to spine).

CB, no. 6138,2; Zedner, p. 431; Roest, p. 671.