Shut Parach Mateh Aharon [Bach]. Amsterdam, [1703]. First Edition. Especially Fine Copy.

Shut Parach Mateh Aharon [Bach]. Amsterdam, [1703]. First Edition. Especially Fine Copy.

Sefer Shut Parach Mateh Aharon, section I and section II, by Rabbi Aharon Perachya Hacohen, one of the rabbis of Salonika. Separate title page for each section. At the beginning of section I, a leaf with a printing license in Portuguese.

On the flyleaf, there us an ownership notation in ancient Ashkenazic script - possibly important, not studied. 

The title pages of both sections of the book are known as two of the most beautiful  title pages of printed books and have fascinated many scholars. 

Wood-engraved illustrated title pages. On their upper part, the Ark of the Testimony. On their sides, figures of Cohanim fully dressed with priestly garments. Beneath them, palms spread for the priestly blessing and the washing of the Cohen's hands (implying the name of the author, who was a member of a pedigreed family of rabbis and Cohanim). Between the two illustrations on the lower part of the title pages, an illustration of a figure holding the Tablets of the Law, facing the sea, implying the port city of Salonika, where the author served as Rav. 

Rabbi Aharon Hacohen Perachya (1627-1697): lived in Salonika and served as Rav of the Kollel of Salonika from 1689 until his passing. Based on the book She'erit Yosef, which was authored by his uncle, Rabbi Daniel Hacohen Perachya, the family tradition was that they are descendants of Yosef Hacohen Ben-Gurion (Otzar Hagedolim Alufei Yaakov, the entry of Rabbi Perachya Hacohen). 

Amsterdam, [1703]. First edition. 

[3], 249; [1], 168 leaves. 33 cm. Very good condition. Partly dark paper. Impressive ancient leather-covered wooden binding with traces of buckles. Agung stains. Tears along the edges of several leaves at the beginning. Quality paper. 

An especially fine copy of a rare book with a beautiful and important title page.