![MOSES BEN NAHMAN (Nahmanides; Gerona c. 1194-Acre 1270). Perush Ha'Torah (Commentary on the Pentateuch). Lisbon: Eliezer [Toledano], 15 July 1489.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/NYR/2000_NYR_09364_0226_000(011320).jpg?w=1)
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MOSES BEN NAHMAN (Nahmanides; Gerona c. 1194-Acre 1270). Perush Ha'Torah (Commentary on the Pentateuch). Lisbon: Eliezer [Toledano], 15 July 1489.
Chancery 2o (291 x 208 mm). Collation: [18(8+1) 2-68 712 8-1310 1412 15-2810 29-308 3112]. 125 leaves (of 301, leaves 16/10 and 31/12 blank). This fragment comprising Exodus 30 to Deuteronomy 20 (16/3-28/7, blank 16/10 removed, plus an unidentified leaf bound in after 20/9). Unfoliated, signed on rectos of first leaf of each bifolium (with some errors). Double column, 35 lines with headline and signature. Types: 1:230 H (square) for titles and initial words, 2:117 H (semi-cursive) for text, headlines and signatures. Opening word of each book in fine metalcut floriated capitals. Fols. 20/10, 21/10, 25/10 and 26/1 misbound, an unidentified leaf (apparently from another section) bound after 20/9. (Wormtracks throughout, crudely repaired in places, causing substantial loss of text to upper inner portion of first leaf and lesser text loss to nearly all other leaves, gutters reinforced occasionally covering edge of text block, dampstaining throughout, a few leaves severely stained.) Modern buckram, blue mottled edges. Provenance: Jews' College (inkstamps, paper shelfmark label on spine).
Second edition. A SUBSTANTIAL FRAGMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN LISBON AND THE SECOND BOOK PRINTED IN PORTUGAL, preceded only by the Hebrew Pentateuch printed by Samuel Gacon at Faro in June 1487 (one copy known, in the British Library). The physician Eliezer of Toledo set up a press in Lisbon in the summer of 1489, using type stock acquired from Eliezer ben Abraham Alantansi, the second (and first Hebrew) printer at Hijar; the present book was soon followed by the first edition of Abudarham's commentary on the synagogue ritual of Seville (November 1489). Hebrew printing in Portugal was short-lived: when the Jews were forced to baptism in 1496-97 many fled. Printers from Toledano's workshop later set up shop in Salonica and Fez, founding the earliest printing presses in both cities.
Adri K. Offenberg's census lists 53 copies (of which 23 are imperfect), the present copy included; Dr. Offenberg has since found a 54th copy. Goff Heb-87; H 11670; Haebler, Bibliografía Iberica 458; CIBN Heb-27; IGI 6752 and Suppl. E 53; Goldstein 91 (recording 9 copies in England, including this one); Oates 4222 (giving incorrect collation); Steinschneider 6532.49; Walsh Heb-31; Zedner p. 592; Offenberg Census 97.
Chancery 2
Second edition. A SUBSTANTIAL FRAGMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN LISBON AND THE SECOND BOOK PRINTED IN PORTUGAL, preceded only by the Hebrew Pentateuch printed by Samuel Gacon at Faro in June 1487 (one copy known, in the British Library). The physician Eliezer of Toledo set up a press in Lisbon in the summer of 1489, using type stock acquired from Eliezer ben Abraham Alantansi, the second (and first Hebrew) printer at Hijar; the present book was soon followed by the first edition of Abudarham's commentary on the synagogue ritual of Seville (November 1489). Hebrew printing in Portugal was short-lived: when the Jews were forced to baptism in 1496-97 many fled. Printers from Toledano's workshop later set up shop in Salonica and Fez, founding the earliest printing presses in both cities.
Adri K. Offenberg's census lists 53 copies (of which 23 are imperfect), the present copy included; Dr. Offenberg has since found a 54th copy. Goff Heb-87; H 11670; Haebler, Bibliografía Iberica 458; CIBN Heb-27; IGI 6752 and Suppl. E 53; Goldstein 91 (recording 9 copies in England, including this one); Oates 4222 (giving incorrect collation); Steinschneider 6532.49; Walsh Heb-31; Zedner p. 592; Offenberg Census 97.