Foundational work: Shut Shvus Yaakov—first edition, Halle 1709/10.

Foundational work: Shut Shvus Yaakov—first edition, Halle 1709/10.

Shut Shvus Yaakov, Part 1, by Rabbi Yaakov ben Yosef Risher (Av Beit Din of Risha, the state of Ansbach, and more, author of the works Torat HaShlamim, Minchas Yaakov, and more). At the end is Peer Yaakov, chiddushim from the author on a few tractates of the Shas. First edition from the author’s lifetime—Halle. The title page has a pneumonic suggesting that the date of publication was 1809 but based on the date in the printer’s introduction the true date is 1710. Similarly, bibliographic lists have determined that the title page was a mistake and that the year was between 1709-1710. [2], 81, 13 leaves. Stefanski Sifrei Yesod #305. The National Library categorizes it as rare. Title page has a pretty engraving.

Endorsements from: Rabbi David Oppenheim of Prague, the author’s father-in-law Rabbi Wolff Shapira (Av Beit Din of Bohemia), Rabbi Naftali Katz of Franfkurt, and his father Rabbi Yosef.

Antique leather binding, taped spine, stains, moth damage in the margins, repaired title page, overall good condition for a book of this age.

Stamps of ownership: “From the books of Yitzhak Isaac Stern, a dayan and motz in Miskolcz” and “Yeshay’ Bennet Budapest.”