Meshal HaKadmoni – Many Woodcut Illustrations – Venice, 1547

Meshal HaKadmoni – Many Woodcut Illustrations – Venice, 1547

Meshal HaKadmoni, by R. Yitzchak ibn Sahula. Many woodcut illustrations. [Venice]: Meir son of Jacob Parenzo, [1547?].
Meshal HaKadmoni, the first illustrated Hebrew book, was first printed by Gershom Soncino in Brescia, ca. 1491; and then again in ca. 1497 (a copy of the second edition was sold in Kedem Auction 83, part I, item 16). This is the third edition of the book, printed in Venice.
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Shlomo ibn Sahula, was a philosopher, physician and kabbalist. Born in Spain in 1244, he presumably passed away in late 13th century. His composition Meshal HaKadmoni is a collection of fables, parables and poems, striving to inculcate ethics and positive attributes. Various animal fables are employed by the author as moral allegories. The composition takes the form of a dialogue between the author and his opponent, who argue over the importance and necessity of cultivating moral virtues.
The book includes many woodcuts, illustrating scenes from the parables and fables, depicting both animal and human figures. The illustrations, which originate from the author's manuscript (now lost), were copied in later manuscripts, and eventually printed by the Soncino family. The present edition features a new series of woodcut illustrations, more detailed than the illustrations found in the Soncino editions (the illustrations in the present edition were numbered, 1-79).
Inscription in Sephardic script on final leaf, with biographic details on the author, signed "HeChaviv" (possibly handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Benveniste author of Knesset HaGedolah, who would sign with this acronym). Additional inscription on this page, faded and difficult to decipher.
64 leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text and slightly affecting illustrations, mostly repaired with paper (many leaves restored). Tears, including open tears, affecting text in several places, repaired with paper. Tear across leaf 7, affecting illustration and text (without loss), repaired. Leaf 4 (and possibly other leaves) may have been supplied from a different copy. Leaves trimmed close to headings in several places. Lower margins of several leaves trimmed, with damage to catchword in one place. Stamp and inscriptions on title page. New, elegant leather binding, with gilt decorations.

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