Bidspirit auction | Sefer ha-Bacḥur. Mantua, 1556–1557. Ancient

Sefer ha-Bacḥur. Mantua, 1556–1557. Ancient contemporary piyyutim & annotations. - Sefer ha-Bacḥur, fundamentals of Hebrew grammar, by Rabbi Elijah Bacḥur ha-Levi Ashkenazi (Elijah Levita). Mantua, 1556–1557. [Printed by Venturino Ruffinelli]. Third edition of the work. In this edition the author introduced changes, additions, and omissions compared to the earlier editions, and also wrote a special introduction for this edition. In his introduction he writes: “I resolved in my heart to print this sefer for the third time, to add to it and to subtract from it, and thereby to make my latter kindness better than the former—so as not to follow after the youths and teach them false premises and unjust proofs …” Printed after the author’s death, in 1549. On the verso of the title page: “Printed by Jacob son of our master Rabbi Naphtali ha-Kohen, of blessed memory, of Gazzolo, in 1556.” At the end of the sefer: “Completed and finished … on Tuesday, the 23rd of Marḥeshvan 1557, in the house of Messer Venturino Ruffinelli, in the name of the scribe our master Rabbi Meir, may he live long, son of Rabbi Ephraim, of blessed memory, of Padua …” Extremely Rare! A complete copy has never appeared at public auction. 80 leaves. 14.7 cm. Antique signature on the title page: Samuel son of Mordechai of blessed memory Flossheim. An unknown piyyut in an early manuscript hand, opening: “Hear my voice on the day I call to You, O Awesome God.” Early annotations from the time of printing. At the end: a poem by the proofreader, opening: “The proofreader said: since this pleasant wisdom …”