Chovat HaLevavot - Mantua, 1558-1559

Chovat HaLevavot, by Rabbi Bechaye the Dayan, translated by Rabbi Yehuda Ibn-Tibbon. Mantua, [1558-1559]. Printed by the partners Meir of Padua and Ya'akov of Gazzuolo.
Fourth edition of Chovat HaLevavot, a basic book of ethics and service of G-d; more than one hundred editions were printed before the modern era. This edition is the basis for most of the editions printed thereafter, and the revisions of this edition labeled S.A. [Sefarim Acherim, i.e. other books], were integrated into the version of following editions.
96 leaves (lacking leaves 97-103). 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear, detached leaves. Ancient leather binding, worn.
Lacking leaves 97-103 of indexes of verses and Chazal quotes. The name of the printers and the date the printing was concluded - January 4, 1559 - appears on Leaf 93/b in the colophon. For information regarding the importance of this edition and its crucial role as prototype for all following editions, see the article LeCheker Sefer Chovot HaLevavot V'Nusche'otav Ha'Ivriot (Study of the book Chovot HaLevavot and its Hebrew versions) by the bibliographer A.M. Haberman. Sinai, Year 28, 1951, pp. 318-321.