Zohar, attributed to R. Shimon bar Yochai, two parts, on Shemot and Vayikra-Devarim. [Cremona: Vincenzo Conti, 1559-1560]. First edition of the Zohar, printed simultaneously with the Mantua edition.

Incomplete copy, lacking Bereshit and several leaves in Shemot and Devarim.

Despite the imprint for 1559-1560 on the title page, the printing of the present edition actually began in 1558, the same year that printing of the Mantua edition of the Zohar commenced (M. Benayahu claims that the present edition even preceded the Mantua printing).

The present edition, with the Zohar printed in one volume and in large format (in square script), was known as the "large Zohar", while the small-format Mantua edition printed in three volumes (in Rashi script) was known as the "small Zohar".

Many copies of the present edition reached Ashkenazic lands – Poland and Germany (it may be that the printers never intended to distribute copies of this edition in Italy). Evidencing this, many authors from Ashkenazic lands cite the text of the Cremona edition until well past the mid-18th century (see further Y. Yudlov's article, below). The subsequent Lublin 1622 and Sulzbach 1684 editions follow the form of the Cremona edition.

Over the years, the Cremona edition became especially rare, in contrast to the Mantua edition which was relatively more common. Benayahu writes that many copies of the Zohar were destroyed in the Cremona burning of Hebrew books (HaDefus HaIvri BiCremona, p. 137). This edition was rare even in the very next generation, as R. Moshe Zacuto writes in one of his letters: "Only a small minority possess the large [Cremona] edition…" (Igrot HaRamaz, Livorno 1780, 2).

Biblical references are printed in the margins of the leaves (uniquely characteristic of the Cremona edition, unlike the Mantua edition). In addition to the foliation of leaves, the columns and lines are also numbered (every tenth line).

Inscriptions and signatures on p. 56b of Vayikra.

Many glosses in Oriental-Persian script, some with kabbalistic content. On margins of several leaves, glosses in Italian script (summary or title).

Enclosed are small handwritten leaves, which were present between the leaves of the book.

Two parts in one volume (lacking Bereshit). Shemot: 7-122 leaves. Lacking leaves 1-6. Vayikra-Devarim: 143, [1] leaves. Lacking last two leaves. 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains and traces of former dampness with mold stains. Heavy wear. Tears and open tears, affecting text in several places, partially repaired with paper. Stamps. Old binding, worn.

For a general description of the book and its printing, on the relation between the Cremona and Mantua editions and different copies of the Cremona edition, see: Meir Benayahu, HaDefus HaIvri BiCremona, Jerusalem 1971, pp. 121-137; Y. Yudlov, On Books, Printers and Publishers, HaSefer – 70-year jubilee volume for Mosad Harav Kook, Jerusalem 2008, pp. 556-559 (Hebrew).