Printed Poster – Gravesites of Tzadikim in Eretz Israel – Venice, 1647 – Only Known Copy

Printed Poster – Gravesites of Tzadikim in Eretz Israel – Venice, 1647 – Only Known Copy

Printed poster, descriptions of the gravesites of tzadikim and other holy sites in Eretz Israel. Venice: Stamparia Vendramina [Giovanni Vendramin], [1647].
The poster features names and descriptions of various places in Eretz Israel, with the names of the Tzadikim buried in each place, printed in four columns.
Early pilgrims to Eretz Israel would tour the country following a set route, visiting various gravesites of Tzadikim (most of which were identified by the Arizal). The poster begins by listing the sites included in the "Hakafah Ketanah" (short tour), intended for pilgrims visiting only Safed and the area; and continues with the details of the "Hakafah Gedolah" (long tour), which includes various sites throughout the Galil; followed by the sites to be visited as part of the tour of Jerusalem.
Further details about the cities of Jerusalem, Hebron and Beit Lechem/Halhul are printed on the bottom, within three decorative frames. The name of the publisher, "Yosef Alshech", is printed beneath the frames; with the imprint in the center: Venice, 1647 (some words affected by tears).
The text of this poster was printed by emissaries of Eretz Isael throughout the 17th century, both in book format and as printed posters. A statement from the emissaries of Eretz Israel is printed on both sides of the frames at the foot of the leaf: "Upon seeing… how unfortunately, due to the length of the exile… our holy city has almost been forgotten by our brethren…" (this text appears in the first known edition of the leaf, 1626).
To the best of our knowledge, this is the sole existing exemplar of this poster.

51X37.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Tears, including many open tears, affecting text and decorative border, repaired with paper, with many handwritten and photocopy replacements of missing parts.

Reference: M. Benayahu, R. Yosef Riqueti, Asufot, II, 1988, pp. 364-371 (a picture of the present poster appears on p. 367); A. Yaari, Sheluchei Eretz Israel, Jerusalem 1951, pp. 80-81.
See also: Elisheva Carlebach, Palaces of Time, Jewish Calendar and Culture in Early Modern Europe (Harvard University Press, 2011). The present calendar is photographed on p. 165.
Provenance:
1. Collection of Prof. Meir Benayahu.
2. The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 088.011.040.