Toldot Yitzchak – Constantinople, 1518 – First Edition – Two Incomplete Copies

Toldot Yitzchak, commentary on the Torah, by R. Yitzchak son of R. Yosef Karo. [Constantinople, 1518]. Printer unknown. First edition.
Two copies lacking title pages. One of the copies is lacking another seven leaves.
The book was printed and sold section by section. See: Avraham Yaari, HaDefus HaIvri BeKushta, Jerusalem 1967, p. 77, no. 59.
The last page contains closing words by "the youngest of printers, Shlomo son of… R. Mazal Tov". The colophon states: "The work was completed… on Wednesday Elul 18, [1518] in Constantinople…".
The author, R. Yitzchak Karo, an exile of Spain and Portugal, was the uncle of R. Yosef Karo author of the Shulchan Aruch, who consulted him on Halachic matters. He lectured in Turkish communities, and left for Eretz Israel in 1518 (the year he printed this book). It is unclear whether he reached his destination or was delayed in Damascus where he remained until his passing.
Copy I: [2]-[101] leaves. Lacking title page. 23 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains and wear. Signs of past dampness. Worming affecting text. Some detached leaves. Repairs. New binding.
Copy II: [8]-[22], [24]-[101] leaves. Lacking first seven leaves (including title page) and leaf [23]. 25 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Open marginal tears and worming, affecting text, professionally restored. Significant open tears to several leaves, professionally restored. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.