Siftei Yeshenim, bibliography of Hebrew books by R. Shabtai Meshorer Bass. Amsterdam: David Tartas, [1680]. First edition.

Lexicon of books and authors from the Torah until the author's time. The first Hebrew bibliographical book.

R. Shabtai Meshorer Bass (1641-1718) was a Torah scholar, bookseller and printer. Born in Poland, he moved to Prague where he served as cantor in the famous Altneuschul (earning him the name Meshorer Bass for his gifted bass vocal abilities). He moved to Amsterdam and later established a Hebrew press in Dyhernfurth. He is best known for his Siftei Chachamim supercommentary on Rashi, printed in hundreds of Chumash editions.

[1], 2-20 leaves; 92 pages; 93-108 leaves. Pages 73-74, 79-80 appear twice. 19.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Tears to several leaves, affecting text (without loss). Marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Abrasions to title page. Bookplate. Old binding.

Provenance: Collection of Yosef Weinman (1906-1974).