De auro dialogi tres, In quibus non solum de auri in re medica facultate [three dialogues on the medical uses of gold], by R. Avraham HaRofe Portaleone. Venice: Io. Baptistam à Porta, 1584. Latin. First edition.

The work contains three dialogues, in which one of the characters represents the author. The dialogues discuss the curative properties that ancient physicians attributed to gold. According to the author's testimony (at the end of his book Shiltei HaGiborim), the present book was written at the request of Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga of Mantua, and a printed dedication to him does in fact appear at the beginning of the book.
R. Avraham HaRofe Portaleone (Shaar Aryeh; 1542-1612), an Italian rabbi and physician, born in Mantua, a disciple of R. Avraham Provenzalo. Studied medicine and graduated from the University of Pavia.

On page 12 is a fine engraving with the emblem of the author, with a lion in the center surrounded by a cartouche, next to a banner bearing the caption: "Adivtor Non Timebo".
The last leaf in the present copy, with the corrigenda, was added after the printing only to some copies.

[8], 178, [24], [2] pages. Approx. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains. Ownership inscriptions on title page. Original parchment binding, with damage.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.