Chupat Chatanim – With Prayer for Appropriate Marriage – First Edition – Livorno, 1797 – Printed on Bluish Paper ...

Chupat Chatanim – With Prayer for Appropriate Marriage – First Edition – Livorno, 1797 – Printed on Bluish Paper and Elaborate Leather Binding – Self-Dedication on Receipt of Book from Author

Chupat Chatanim, laws and instructions for a bridegroom regarding engagement, marriage, prayers and more by R. Refael Meldola. Livorno: R. Yaakov Nunez-Vaez and R. Refael Meldola (the author), [1797]. First edition of this book, which was reprinted in many editions. This edition was published extravagantly, each page decorated with a frame.
Fine copy, printed on bluish paper and bound in original elaborate leather binding, with gilt decorations.
On endpaper, self-dedication (in Ashkenazic cursive script) attesting to having received the book from the author, while he was in England: "This fine book was gifted to me by the author… R. Refael Meldola, Rabbi of the Sephardic Shaar HaShamayim community…".

The author, R. Refael Meldola (1754-1828), dayan in Livorno, where he was ordained by his teacher the Chida, and later Rabbi of London and leader of the British Sephardic-Portuguese community. His gravesite in London is frequented to this day in order to recite his prayer for an appropriate marriage, which appears at the end of the introduction of the present book.

[19], 88, 88-111 leaves. One of the leaves of the introduction (followed by a blank leaf) is mistakenly bound in the middle of the prayer for an appropriate marriage. 14 cm. Bluish paper. Gilt edges. Good condition. Stains. Original leather binding. Wear and damage to binding.

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