Responsa Tashbetz, three parts, by R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran. With Responsa Chut HaMeshulash by grandsons of the author. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz Levi, [1738-1739]. First edition. With seven title pages.
Original unique parchment binding, with artistic decorations on both sides, and the name of the book on the parchment spine.
Notably, all copies of this book with the original bindings were artistically prepared by hand with fine ornamentation and decoration, with no copy identical to another. Most original bindings were made of fine parchment or a combination of leather and parchment, reminiscent of fish skin.
Reputedly, the author, R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran, merited to have his books beautifully printed and elegantly bound by virtue of his practice to cover his open books with a lavish kerchief (R. Yitzchak Palachi, Yafeh LaLev, III, Yoreh Deah 277: 3). Furthermore, it is told that he deeply respected his holy books and would clean them daily with a silk cloth (Sh.Y. Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 152, related by R. Eliezerov in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch; N. Ben Menachem, Gevilei Sefarim, pp. 11-12, related by R. Zevin in the name of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch).
Signature on title page of "Refael son of Avraham of Niederhagenthal" (present-day Hangenthal-le-Bas, northeastern France).
Ownership inscriptions on endpaper.
[12], 91; [1], 69; [1], 68, [1]; [1], 101, [1] leaves. Does not contain [1] leaf at end of Part II with list of books by the author (this leaf seems to appear in most copies twice, at the end of Parts II and III, while in the present copy it appears only at the end of Part III). 31.5 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains, including light dampstains and inkstains to several leaves. Light wear. Some tears, including small marginal tears to first title page, repaired with tape. Original elaborate parchment binding, finely decorated. Defects to binding (tears to top of spine).
The present copy contains seven title pages: two for Part I, one for Part II, one for Part III, and one for each of the three sections of Part IV.
This edition has several known variants, which can be differentiated by the number of title pages. Some copies, such as the present one, have as many as seven title pages (or even eight, see Kedem, Auction 59, Lot 88), while other copies have only four original title pages (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, and see: Dan and Gita Yardeni, The "Tashbez" by R. Shimon b. Zemah Duran; Amsterdam, 1739-1742, Alei Sefer, X, 1982, pp. 119-132 [Hebrew]).
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
