Responsa Tashbetz, three parts, by R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran. With Responsa Chut HaMeshulash by grandsons of the author. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz Levi, [1738-1739]. First edition, with four title pages.

Reputedly, the author, R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran, merited to have his books beautifully printed and elegantly bound by virtue of his practice to cover his open books with a lavish kerchief (R. Yitzchak Palachi, Yafeh LaLev, III, Yoreh Deah 277:3). Furthermore, it is told that he deeply respected his holy books and would clean them daily with a silk cloth (Sh.Y. Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 152, related by R. Eliezerov in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch; N. Ben Menachem, Gevilei Sefarim, pp. 11-12, related by R. Zevin in the name of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch).

Interestingly, all copies of this book with the original bindings were artistically prepared by hand with fine ornamentation and decoration, with no copy identical to another. Most original bindings were made of fine vellum or a combination of leather and vellum, reminiscent of fish skin.

[11], 91; 69, [1]; 68, [1]; [1], 101, [1] leaves. 31 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming and small tears to margins of title page and several other leaves. Stamps. Original elaborate parchment binding, with fine color and gilt artistic decorations. Light damage to binding.

This edition has several known variants, which can be distinguished by the number of title pages. Some copies are known to have seven to eight title pages (see Kedem Catalogue 59, Lot 88), while others, including the present copy, have only four title pages (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, and see: Dan and Gita Yardeni, Seder Hadpasato LaRishonah Shel Sefer HaTashbetz LeRabbi Shimon Bar Tzemach Duran BiDefus Naftali Hertz Levi BeAmsterdam, Alei Sefer, X, 1982, pp. 119-132).

The present copy contains four title pages, an illustrated title page for Part I (dated 1741), and one for each of the three sections of Part IV.