Sefer Dikduk by Rabbi Moshe Kimchi - Ortona, 1519 - Printed by Gershom Soncino - The Only Hebrew Book Printed in Ortona

Sefer Dikduk [Grammar book], by R. Moshe Kimchi, "With other grammar compositions authored by others". Ortona (Italy), [c. 1519]. Printed by Gershom Soncino.
Copy missing 10 leaves.
Gershom Soncino was among the greatest of the Italian Jewish printers. He travelled with his family through many cities in Italy, and printed Hebrew books in each city. The early development of Jewish printing is therefore entwined with the travels of the Soncino family, starting from the city of Soncino (source of the family name), and continuing through Brescia, Casalmaggiore, Barco, Fano, Pesaro, Rimini, Ortona and Naples. In Ortona, Gershom printed only two books: an anti-Semitic composition in Latin by Pietro Galantino (it is unclear why Soncino published this work; he may have been compelled to do so), and this grammar book by R. Kimchi. This is therefore the only Hebrew book printed in Ortona. The title page hints at the Soncino family’s many wanderings, “[I], the youngest and least of the disciples, Ger-shom [a play on the words ‘a stranger there’] in the city of Ortona”. The title page further states that the work was published "Under the rule of our Master King Carlos King of Sicily and Jerusalem… in the second year of his reign". (Charles [Carlos] V inherited the united kingdom of Spain in 1516, which included Sicily and parts of Italy. In 1519 he was appointed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire).
On the last (blank) leaf there is a handwritten monetary agreement in Italian Hebrew script (debenture?).
Lacking copy. [25] leaves, instead of the original [35] leaves (Leaves [1]-[4], [6]-[7], [9], [17]-[20], [22]-[35]. Leaf [35] is blank). 19 cm. Condition varies among the leaves, most are complete and in good condition, the title page and several other leaves have restored tears. Stains and inscriptions. Open tears to margins of several leaves, professionally restored with paper filling. Open tear to title page affecting text, skillfully repaired with a photocopy. Leaf [6] has large open tear to upper part, skillfully repaired with a photocopy. The lacking leaves were replaced with photocopies. New binding.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.