Auction 059 Items from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection: Early Printed Books, Manuscripts, Glosses and Autographs by Leading Rabbinic Figures

Shem HaGedolim by the Chida – First and Second Editions Printed by the Chida – Livorno, 1774-1798

Opening: $180
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Shem HaGedolim by the Chida, first and second editions of first part (with additions):

• Shem HaGedolim, lexicon of rabbis and books, by R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai – the Chida. Livorno: Gio. Falorni, 1774. First edition.
On back endpaper, inscription written during the lifetime of the Chida.
131, [1] leaves. 14.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Light wear. Old binding.

• Shem HaGedolim, Part I, by the Chida. Livorno: Eliezer Saadon, [1798].
Second edition of Part I, with additions (Vaad LaChachamim Part II) printed here for the first time.
[2], 144 leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Old binding.


Shem HaGedolim was printed by the Chida gradually in several parts. The book as known today (Shem HaGedolim HaShalem) was a combination of all the parts edited by bibliographer Yitzchak Eizik son of Yaakov.
Early Printed Books – 17th and 18th Centuries
Early Printed Books – 17th and 18th Centuries