Sefer Yetzirah – Mantua, 1562 – First Edition – Signature of Rebbe Chaim of Liska Author of Tal Chaim

Sefer Yetzirah – Mantua, 1562 – First Edition – Signature of Rebbe Chaim of Liska Author of Tal Chaim
Sefer Yetzirah, attributed to Avraham Avinu, with four commentaries: R. Saadiah Gaon, R. Eliezer of Worms, the Ramban and the Raavad. [Mantua: Jacob Kohen of Gazolo, 1562. First edition]. Kabbalistic diagrams and charts.
Signature at the top of the first leaf: " Chaim Rabbi of Liska".
Rebbe Chaim Friedlander – rabbi of Liska (d. 1904), son of R. Moshe Friedlander Rabbi of Kleinwardein, and son-in-law of R. Tzvi Hirsh of Liska author of Ach Pri Tevuah. He succeeded his father-in-law as rabbi and rebbe of Liska in 1874, a position he held for thirty years. He authored Tal Chaim on the Talmud, and Tal Chaim UVracha on the Torah.
Various inscriptions on the endpapers, including interesting inscriptions regarding zodiac signs and planets. Signature: "Moshe Frey" (perhaps R. Moshe Frey Rabbi of Negyed, grandson of the Ktav Sofer, or one of his family members).
Sefer Yetzirah includes several diagrams designed for the addition of moveable parts (volvelles), for calculating Holy Name combinations. The moveable parts were printed on a separate plate, for the reader to cut out and assemble. This plate, and the moveable parts, are missing from most extant copies of the book, and from this copy as well (see Kedem Auction 51, item 44).
Incomplete copy. 2-52, 54-55, 61-64, 69-88, [88-89, i.e. 92-93], 95-104, [1] leaves. (Originally: 105 leaves; [1] leaves. Altogether lacking 16 leaves: title page and leaves 53, 56-60, 65-68, 89-91, 94, and [1] plate of volvelles [see above]). 18 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. Tears and open tears, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Some leaves trimmed close to text. Inscriptions. Signatures and stamps. Old leather binding, damaged.