Bidspirit auction | Milchamot Hashem by Ralbag –

Milchamot Hashem by Ralbag – Riva di Trento, 1560 – First Edition - Milchamot Hashem, philosophical work by R. Levi son of Gershom, the Ralbag. Riva di Trento: [Yaakov Marcaria and Antonio Bruin], 1560. First edition. On title page: ”Milchamot Hashem… the fine parts of the books of Aristotle and other famous philosophers”. First edition of the work (the second edition was printed over 300 years later). Colophon dating completion of book to 1329 and of printing to 1560. Title page with decorated frame and with mark of the printer and physician Yaakov Marcaria, containing the emblem of Prince-Bishop Cristoforo Madruzzo (see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 28; note on p. 135). On the verso of the title page the publisher Yaakov Marcaria addresses the controversy surrounding this work by the Ralbag: ”Although some of his statements appear to contradict our Torah and the Jewish sages… and many call it 'Milchamot Im Hashem' (wars with G-d)… he defended himself against this in the introduction to the book…”. On title page, early ownership inscriptions in Ashkenazic cursive script of ”Yaakov son of R. Eliezer Heilprun” – possibly R. Yaakov Heilprin of Lublin (d. 1636), son of R. Eliezer Lipman Heilprin of Lublin, a relative of R. Meir (Maharam) of Lublin and an ancestor of R. Yechiel Heilprin, author of Seder HaDorot. For another autograph by him, see Lot 92. 75 leaves. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains to top of all leaves (some dark). Small open tear to title page, affecting text on both sides of leaf, and marginal tear to last leaf, repaired with paper. Close trimming, affecting illustrated title frame. Old binding, front side slightly detached (wear and defects to binding, and tape repairs to spine).