Bidspirit auction | Orchot Chaim, With Shoshanat Yaakov

Orchot Chaim, With Shoshanat Yaakov – Venice, 1623 – First Printed Jewish Magic Book – Only Edition - Orchot Chaim, ethical will of R. Eliezer HaGadol to his son Hyrcanus, with Shoshanat Yaakov, guide to magic and sleight of hand, by R. Yaakov Heilprun of Padua. Venice: Giovanni Calleoni, 1623. Only edition of Shoshanat Yaakov. Published by R. Yaakov Heilprun of Padua, a disciple of Maharam of Padua and R. Avigdor Cividal of Venice, editor of Responsa Nachalat Yaakov. R. Yaakov added an introduction to the book, as well as an independent work of particular interest called Shoshanat Yaakov (pp. 8-12a), with instructions for various magic tricks. This is the only edition of this work, and it appears to be the first Jewish magic book to be printed. The last page of the book includes a poem by the disciple of R. Yaakov Heilprun, R. David of Warburg, which the author states was supposed to have been printed in Nachalat Yaakov but he was deceived by the printer, therefore printing the poem in this book. Signatures on title page, leaf 2 and leaf 8: ”Yitzchak Yosef Chazan son of R. Tzvi Hirsch” – R. Yitzchak Yosef Chazan of Lubicz (1842-1928), author of Siach Yitzchak (Poltava, 1913), son of R. Tzvi Hirsch of Płock. 12 leaves. Approx. 14 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Wear. Marginal tears and open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting title frame, partially repaired with paper. Old cardboard binding. Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.