Tashbetz, rulings and customs of R. Meir (Maharam) of Rothenburg, by his disciple R. Shimshon son of R. Tzadok. Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1556. First edition.

This work, which became known as Tashbetz Katan, is considered an important source whose rulings are presented as law by the Shulchan Aruch and other halachic authorities. It was common in manuscript and became one of the most important halachic books in Germany. Reputedly, the author – a disciple of the Maharam of Rothenburg – recorded his halachic rulings during the latter's imprisonment. The present book is the first edition of the work (the second edition was printed only some 300 years later, in Lemberg, 1858). The present title page records the name of the author (disciple of the Maharam) as R. "Shmuel son of R. Tzadok", but it is commonly accepted that his name was Shimshon (this is also the conclusion of the Chida in his entry in Shem HaGedolim).

Title page illustrated with fine engraving.

Handwritten inscriptions inside front board, one deleted.

Several glosses in Ashkenazic script [ca. 18th/19th century], one referring to the writer's other glosses and novellae (p. 40b).

[6], 55 leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains and inkstains. Marginal tears to several leaves. Close trimming, affecting page headers in several places. Early binding, with leather spine. Wear and defects to binding.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah, Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat, by R. Yosef Karo. Venice: Giorgi di Cavalli, 1567. Second edition, printed in the author's lifetime.

Incomplete and defective set of all four parts (in one volume). Printed in three columns.

Many glosses by different writers (Oriental script, characteristic of the Persian expanse), mainly to Orach Chaim. Some glosses trimmed.

Ownership inscriptions to leaf 10 of Choshen Mishpat and end of Orach Chaim (dated 1673). Family inscriptions at beginning of Even HaEzer. Most trimmed or incomplete.

Incomplete and defective copy. Orach Chaim: 35-62, 3-34 leaves (bound out of place after leaf 23 of Choshen Mishpat). Lacking leaves 1-2. Yoreh Deah: 9-56 leaves. Lacking 1-8 leaves. Even HaEzer: 34 leaves. Choshen Mishpat: 71, [2] leaves. Lacking last [7] leaves (very small portions of two leaves remain). 32.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains, including large dark dampstains. Much wear. Many tears and open tears, especially to first and last leaves of volume, affecting text in many places. Stamps. Old binding.

Sefer Chassidim, ethics and fear of G-d, by R. Yehudah HeChasid. Basel: Ambrosius Froben, Kislev 1580.

Second edition. Although some of the text is superior to that of the first edition, it also suffers from Christian censorship.

On title page, signature in Ashkenazic cursive script, contemporaneous with printing.

[4], 116 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dark dampstains and wax stains. Traces of former dampness to last leaves. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves, including open tear slightly affecting text on one leaf. New binding.