Three books printed in Frankfurt an der Oder in the 1700s:

• Shem Yaakov, ethical sermons according to the kabbalistic method, by R. Yaakov son of R. Yechezkel Segal of Łobżenica. Frankfurt an der Oder: Michel Gottschalk, [1716].

68 leaves. 19 cm. Partly dark paper. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming to first leaves, affecting text in several places. Small marginal tear to title page. Old binding.

• Ir Chomah, on the juxtaposition of Mishnah tractates, by R. Avraham Yehudah Eliyahu son of Eliezer Lipman of Minsk. Frankfurt an der Oder: Michel Gottschalk, [1719].

[52] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text in several places. Marginal tears to several leaves. Close trimming, affecting text in several places. Old binding.

Both books, Shem Yaakov and Ir Chomah, have a title page with a woodcut illustration, depicting a vulture with outspread wings, inside of which is an illustration of the meeting of Joseph and Jacob in Egypt.

• Manchil Yaakov, on Tractate Pesachim, by R. Menachem Manle Segal. Frankfurt an der Oder: [Yehudah Filler, 1739].

Handwritten dedication on title page.

[1], 26, 28-34 leaves. 20 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. New binding.

Esh Dat, sermons according to the order of the Torah portions, and Mutzal MeEsh, responsa, by R. Chaim Alfandari. Constantinople: Yonah son of Yaakov Ashkenazi, [1718]. First edition.

Distinguished copy, belonging to R. Binyamin Ze'ev Wolf HaLevi Boskowitz, and R. Tzvi Hirsch Heller. Their signatures appear on the title page: "Wolf HaLevi Boskowitz"; "Tzvi Hirsch Heller Rabbi[?] of Bonyhád".

Additional signatures and inscriptions on title page.

On leaves of book, several glosses by different writers, in Ashkenazic and Sephardic script. The gloss on p. 21a is handwritten by R. Wolf Boskowitz, and two other glosses (in Ashkenazic script) on leaves 21-22 may be as well.

R. Binyamin Ze'ev Wolf HaLevi Boskowitz (1740-1818), prominent Hungarian rabbi, son and disciple of the Machatzit HaShekel. He served in rabbinic and Torah positions in several cities, and trained hundreds of great Torah scholars. He was held in high esteem by the leading Torah scholars of his time, including the Noda BiYehudah, the Chatam Sofer and R. Akiva Eger. His comprehensive Seder Mishnah covers the entire Mishneh Torah by the Rambam, and has yet to be published in full.

R. Tzvi Hirsch Heller (1776-1835), leading Hungarian rabbi, known as "R. Hirsch Charif" for his brilliance and sharp wit. He served as rabbi of Brigel, Galicia (present-day Brzesko, Poland), and later as prominent yeshiva dean in Brody. He was compelled to flee the city after he was informed on, whereupon he reached Hungary and served as rabbi of Bonyhád, Ungvár (Uzhhorod) and Óbuda (Budapest). His prominent disciples include Rebbe Tzvi Hirsch of Liska and R. Shlomo Ganzfried, author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. He authored Chidushei Tiv Gittin and other works. His widow married the Chatam Sofer (and apparently brought part of his library along with her to her second husband).

[2], 84; 42 leaves. 27.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Marginal tears and open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text (repaired with paper to verso of title page). Worming. New binding.

CB, no. 4669, 1; Zedner, p. 40.

Emunat Chachamim, on kabbalah, by R. Aviad Sar Shalom Basilea. [Mantua: Stamperia di S. Benedetto, per Alberto Pazzoni, 1730].

On decorative frame on title page, ownership inscription of "R. Hertz Medel". On leaves 5, 10 and 29, more ownership inscriptions: "The official R. Hertz Medelsheim", "The official R. Hertz Medelsheim" – Naftali Hertz Cerfbeer Medelsheim, brother-in-law of R. David Sinzheim, author of Yad David, French Jewish leader, lobbyist and official who provided food to the government, served as the head of Jewish affairs in Alsace, and was the only Jew granted the right to live in Strasbourg at the time.

[2], 54, [2] leaves. Last four leaves bound upside down. 22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears and worming to margins of several leaves. Handwritten inscriptions. New binding.

Shulchan HaMelech, Orach Chaim section of Shulchan Aruch, by R. Yosef Karo, with glosses of R. Moshe Isserles (Rama), in Ladino translation by R. Avraham Asa. Constantinople: Binyamin son of Moshe Rushi, [1749].

Poems and introductions in Hebrew and Ladino.

The translator,
R. Avraham Asa (ca. 1710-1765), an 18th century Torah scholar of Constantinople, translated many books into Ladino, mainly halachic and ethical books, for popular use.

Signature on title page.

324, [5] leaves. Lacking two leaves ([5]-[6]) of index leaves at end of volume. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming. Tears and open tears, to title page and other leaves (large open tear to last leaf), affecting text, partially repaired with paper filling. New binding.

Shesh Shearim, Azharot – poems comprising the positive and negative commandments, and the seven rabbinical commandments, by R. Shlomo Sasportas, with Spanish translation by R. Shlomo Adahan. Amsterdam: Naftali Hertz son of Alexander Ziskind Levi of Emden, [1727]. Hebrew and Spanish.

Stamps: "Jacob Nino, Bone (Algerie)".

16, [30] leaves. 21.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Significant worming, affecting text in many places. Small marginal tears to several leaves. New binding.

Zedner, p. 681.