Bidspirit auction | Order of the Four Fasts.

Order of the Four Fasts. Amsterdam, 1688–1689 - Order of the Four Fasts. Amsterdam, Atias Press. 5448–5449 [1688–1689]. An early and important edition printed at the distinguished Atias family press — one of the finest Sephardic printing houses in Amsterdam during the 17th century. The volume contains two title pages, one dated 5448 and the other 5449. According to the Bibliographic Project, the title page bearing the date 5448 is missing from most surviving copies; its presence here makes this copy particularly rare and desirable. Preceding the title page is a beautifully illustrated engraved frontispiece depicting men and women fasting, with the destruction of the Temple in the background. At its center appears the word “Fasts” (“תעניות”) in large, ornate Hebrew letters — a striking example of the artistic refinement characteristic of the Atias press of that era. [3], 120 leaves. 15.5 cm. A very good, well-preserved copy. Minor age stains only. Contemporary wooden boards covered in leather, with remnants of the original clasps — an impressive and dignified binding.