(BIBLE). Sepher Arba’ah Ve’Esrim. With commentary Minchath Shai. FIRST...

(BIBLE).
Sepher Arba’ah Ve’Esrim. With commentary Minchath Shai.

FIRST EDITION of commentary by Yedidiah Solomon Norzi. Edited by Raphael Hayim Basila. Four parts bound in two volumes. Each part preceded by magnificent engraved frontispiece displaying eight Biblical vignettes with printer’s device (Yaari no.121) at top. Main and divisional titles in red and black. With distinguished provenance reflective of Anglo-Sephardi pedigree (see below).
ff. (4), 142 (i.e. 138); * (2), 88; * (2), 98; * (2), 54, 51, (2), 5. Touch discolored, final few leaves of second volume with small marginal tear. Later calf-backed gilt-tooled boards, rear cover of second vol. loose. Large 4to. Vinograd, Mantua 397; Darlow & Moule 5150.
Mantua: Raphael (Isaac) Chaim d’Italia the Physician 1742

First edition of this most important and comprehensive commentary to the Masorah, with significance for almost every word throughout the Bible in which the possibility for error or variant reading exists. Extraordinary frontispiece depicts the Deity as represented in the Prophet Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Chap. 37), among many other impressive Biblical scenes. The appearance of such an illustration is most anomalous in a Jewish book. See C. Roth, Jewish Art (1961) cols. 25-6 (illustrated). Provenance: Stamp of: Dayan David Meldola of London (1797-1853). Bookplate of: Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885). Stamp of: Haham Moses Gaster (1856-1939). Custom binding of: Yeshivat Ohel Moshe VeYehudit (Judith Lady Montefiore College). Ramsgate, Kent.