Collection of Important Title Pages and Final Pages of Sefarim, Some First Editions
16th century
Over time, the first and last pages of many antique sefarim become worn, torn, or lost due to extensive study and handling. It is common to find early printed sefarim missing their title pages, final pages, or both.
This collection preserves several title pages and final pages from sefarim printed in various locations during the 16th century, including classic works.
The collection includes:
· Title page of Shu”t Harivas"h, by Rabbi Yitzchak bar Sheshet, Constantinople 1546. First edition.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 269.
· Two final leaves (indexes) from Shu”t HaRe’em, by Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, Constantinople 1560-1561. First edition (see notes on this sefer in Sifrei Yesod). Nice margins.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 279.
· Title page of Sha’arei Orah, by Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla, Mantua 1561. First edition. Includes leaves [2]-4 of the sefer, featuring numerous Italian marginal notes.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 340.
· Two final leaves from Sefer Evronot, Riva di Trento 1561. Leaves 26-27.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 511.
· Title page of sefer Na’im Zemiros, by Rabbi Shmuel Aripol, Cracow 1576. First edition.
On the verso there is a lengthy handwritten inscription in an oriental script:
"I heard from the wise and upright scholar Rabbi Moshe Gershon Ashkenazi… and I also heard from him…" followed by a written amulet to nullify witchcraft.
· Title page of sefer Menoras Hama’or, by Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav the first. Venice 1595.
· Title page and two leaves from sefer Menoras Hama’or, by Rabbi Yitzchak Abuhav the first. Venice 1623.
· Title page of sefer Amudei Shlomo, by the Maharshal, published by his disciple Rabbi Eliyahu Baal Shem. Basel 1600.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 214 (in notes).
Total content: 6 title pages, final leaves of 2 sefarim, and additional leaves. Various sizes.
Condition: Varies from good to poor (see photos). Some pages have significant damage, while others are well preserved.
