Eliyah Mizrachi, supercommentary to Rashi on the Torah, by R. Eliyahu Mizrachi. Venice: Alvise Bragadin, [1574]. Third edition.
Approximately 50 glosses in Italian cursive script, some particularly lengthy. Some glosses consist of the writer's original novellae and commentaries, and some contain arguments on the words of the author, or proofs substantiating the author's teachings. Apart from the numerous lengthy glosses, there are dozens of corrections to the text, and interlinear additions. On p. 2a - early signature, deleted. On the verso of the last leaf, calligraphic signature (damaged and indistinct) of R. Yisrael Binyamin son of R. Yeshayahu Bassan.
Most of the glosses in this book were presumably written by R. Yeshayahu Bassan (prime teacher of the Ramchal), and some were handwritten by his son R. Yisrael Binyamin Bassan rabbi of Reggio. On p. 74b, an interesting gloss, the beginning of which was presumably written by R. Yeshayahu, and the end apparently by his son R. Yisrael Binyamin. In this gloss, the second writer (the son) brings a correction to the text of Rashi, to resolve the difficulty raised by the first writer (the father), and he writes: "And in the book Imrei Noam (by R. Yaakov di Illescos), I found that he wrote in the name of a scholar who saw that Rashi himself wrote 'batzoret', and the truth is recognizable". In his old age, the second writer added another gloss (in tremulous handwriting), writing that he found this version in an early print of Rashi on the Torah: "And now, in the year 1777, I found a Chumash printed in Lisbon in 1491, with the version 'batzoret', and it is held in the collection of Mr. Moshe Binyamin Foa (of Reggio) amongst his precious books".
The kabbalist R. Yeshayahu Bassan (1673-1734), outstanding Torah and kabbalist, foremost Italian Torah scholar, son-in-law of the elder of Italian rabbis, the Rabach (R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali). He served as rabbi of Reggio Emilia. He authored Responsa Lachmei Toda. He was the prime teacher of the Ramchal, and the disciple of the Ramchal in Kabbalah. He was involved together with his father-in-law the Rabach in the polemic surrounding his disciple the Ramchal, and they both came to his defense.
His son, R. Yisrael Binyamin Bassan (1701-1790), was his successor as rabbi of Reggio. Childhood companion of R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto - the Ramchal, and his disciple in Kabbalah. He sent letters during the course of the polemic surrounding the Ramchal (see Igrot Ramchal UBenei Doro). On the occasion of his wedding, the Ramchal wrote a poem in his honor named Migdal Oz (later printed in Leipzig 1837). He published his father's book - Lachmei Toda (Venice, 1741), which includes a few of his responsa.
A map of Eretz Israel is presented on p. 235a.
261, 260-266 leaves. 31 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Dampstains and traces of past dampness (to most leaves), with mold to some leaves. Minor worming. Tears to title page and other leaves, repaired with paper. Early leather binding, with gilt ornaments to spine. Damage to binding and spine. On the endpaper, dedication in German dated 1908, to R. Kalonymus Rothschild, teacher and director of the boys' school in Hamburg.

Tur Choshen Mishpat, with Beit Yosef, by R. Yosef Karo. Sabbioneta: Tobias son of Eliezer Foa, 1559. First edition of the Beit Yosef on Choshen Mishpat.
Hundreds of glosses in Oriental script. The writer, who was presumably a Torah scholar of Salonika, refers repeatedly to the books of the Maharshdam, the Maharshach, the Maharchash and of other Salonika Torah scholars. The writer also quotes the book Bedek HaBait by the Beit Yosef. On the title page, signature in early Italian script: "Avraham son of R. Binyamin".
Incomplete and damaged copy. 323 leaves. Lacking 9 leaves: 324-332. 37 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains and extensive wear. Dark dampstains and traces of past dampness to title page and in other places (with mold). Damage and numerous open tears to title page and in other places. Worming. Large tears, affecting text with some loss. Edges rough-cut. Detaches leaves and gatherings. Handwritten inscriptions on title page and in other places. Without binding.

Kehillat Yaakov, comprising three books: Tosefet DeRabbanan, Maaneh Lashon part II - Lashon Chachamim, and Maaneh Lashon part III - Lashon Bnei Adam, by R. Yisrael Yaakov Algazi. Salonika, [1786].
This copy was in the possession of several Turkish Torah scholars, who signed their names on it and annotated it. Only some of the writers have been identified: On p. 2a, a gloss handwritten by R. Chaim Palachi, with his signature: "And it is easy to understand, Chaim"; on p. 133b, a gloss signed with a calligraphic signature: "Ch.M.F.", presumably R. Chaim Frandji author of Yismach Lev; on the same page another gloss in a different handwriting, signed: "Sh.K."; on p. 4b, a gloss by a fourth writer, signed "Shabtai"; on pp. 45a, 136, 148, glosses (in pencil and pen), signed "L.Y."; and several other glosses in other handwritings.
On the front endpaper, lengthy Torah notes, from an unidentified writer (in a handwriting typical of 19th century Turkey).
A signature on the title page: "Avraham Palombo" (R. Avraham Palombo, a Constantinople rabbi and Torah scholar, son of R. Eliyahu Palombo author of Yad HaMelech). Another inscription: "This book belongs to the exalted wealthy man, Señor Avraham Foa" (R. Avraham Foa, one of wealthy members of the Constantinople community, maintained a study hall in his home frequented by several of the city's leading Torah scholars).
212 leaves. 30 cm. Condition varies. Most leaves in good condition. Stains and light wear. Title page and several subsequent leaves in fair condition, with tears and wear. Last leaf detached, with large tears affecting text. Old binding.