Rivash Responsa - First Edition - Constantinople, 1546 - Elaborate Copy

"Responsa of Rabbi… Yitzchak son of R. Sheshet" - Rivash responsa. [Constantinople]: Eliezer Soncino, [1546-1547]. First edition.
Basic book of halachic responsa. The Rivash, who lived at the end of the period of the Rishonim, was born in Spain in 1326 and died in Algeria in 1408. His primary teacher was R. Nissim bar Reuven (the Ran). He was also a disciple of R. Chasdai Crescas and of R. Peretz HaCohen.
This book was printed in pamphlets and distributed on Shabbat to subscribers as was the custom in Constantinople at that time. A halachic discussion ensued among the rabbis of Constantinople regarding this practice [see: E. Ya'ari, HaDfus HaIvri B'Kushta (Hebrew Printing in Constantinople), Jerusalem 1967, p. 103, no. 145]. The first [21] leaves contain indexes and errata. The title page follows on leaf [22].
A gloss in Italian-Ashkenazi script from the 17th century appears on the margins of Responsum 437 [the writer cites two books printed in the 17th century: Gidulei Teruma and Knesset HaGedola]. Several censorship erasures; ink erosion damaging the text is a few places. Censor stamps on first and last leaf.
Especially handsome copy on high-quality light-colored paper with wide margins. [303] leaves. 33 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor worming in a few places. New binding, with vellum spine, slightly damaged.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.