Tractate Bava Batra – Venice, 1548 – Printed by Giustiniani – Rare Edition

Tractate Bava Batra – Venice, 1548 – Printed by Giustiniani – Rare Edition

Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bava Batra – with Rashi and Tosafot, Piskei Tosafot, Rabbenu Asher, and Rambam's commentary on Mishnayot. [Venice: Marco Antonio Giustiniani, 1548].
In 1543, Bomberg was faced with serious competition – Antonio Giustiniani, a Venetian patrician, began issuing his own Talmud edition with the assistance of Jews who had acquired printing skills in Bomberg's press. Giustiniani printed a complete Talmud edition in 1546-1551. His edition included several innovations, which were since incorporated as part of the classic Talmud page layout. His innovations include: Ein Mishpat, Masoret HaTalmud, references to the passages of Talmud quoted by Tosafot, and Kitzur Piskei HaRosh.
Bomberg's printing firm was eventually defeated by Giustiniani's fierce competition, until it stopped printing in 1549. Later, a dispute erupted between Giustiniani and another Venetian printer – Alvise Bragadin, which eventually led to the burning of the Talmud in 1553. This decree resulted in the burning of almost all the volumes of Giustiniani's Talmud edition, and they are therefore exceptionally rare. To the best of our knowledge, Tractate Bava Batra has never before been offered at auction.
Marginal glosses and inscription to several leaves. Signatures on leaves 136 and 142. Many inscriptions, quill trials and drawings on verso of final leaf, as well as signatures and stamps.
3-180; 40 leaves. Lacking first two leaves (replaced in photocopy). Leaves 20-21 of second sequence bound out of order. Approx. 34 cm. Condition varies, first leaves and several other leaves in fair condition, most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Tears, including open tears affecting text, repaired with paper. Large open tears to several leaves, affecting text, repaired with paper (with photocopy replacement of missing text). Worming affecting text, repaired with paper. New leather binding.

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