Bidspirit auction | Babylonian Talmud – Magnificent Vienna

Babylonian Talmud – Magnificent Vienna Edition. Complete 12-Volume Set in Original Fine Leather Bindings. Vienna, 1840–1849 - Babylonian Talmud, with the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot and important additional material. Vienna, printed by Franz Schmid and Jacob Busch, 1840–1849. Complete set of twelve volumes, in magnificent original leather bindings. Before us is one of the most impressive and important editions of the Talmud printed in the 19th century – the celebrated Vienna edition, which upon its appearance was regarded as a pinnacle of Hebrew printing and represented a significant advance in printing quality, typography and the design of the traditional Talmud page. The edition was printed in sharp, clear type on particularly high-quality paper, with exceptional attention to readability and ease of study. It was highly regarded already in its own time and influenced later editions of the Talmud. This edition was the first to print on the pages of the Talmud the glosses of the Gaon Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Chajes – the Maharatz Chajes, one of the foremost Galician scholars and important Talmudic commentators of the 19th century. His glosses subsequently became an integral part of the traditional study of the Talmud. Among the notable innovations of this edition was a revised arrangement of the Talmud page. Beneath a heavy rule separating the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot, the glosses of the Levush and Piskei Tosafot were added, enabling convenient consultation while preserving the traditional appearance of the page. At the beginning of the first volume appears an approbatory letter by Rabbeinu the Chatam Sofer, lavishly praising the edition. Among other things, he writes that the printer: “Has accomplished wonders beyond all those who preceded him and those who followed him until this very day; nothing comparable to this has been seen…” The Chatam Sofer further praises the renowned printer Franz Schmid, whose reputation had already spread through the hundreds of books issued from his press, and urges the public to support the newly printed Talmud by purchasing it. Already in its own time, this edition was regarded as a prestigious luxury edition, acquired by batei midrash, rabbis and collectors who sought a handsome and finely produced Shas both for study and as an ornament to their libraries. The present complete set is particularly impressive in its physical appearance. Printed in an exceptionally large format on bright, high-quality paper, with unusually broad margins, the volumes possess a distinguished and imposing appearance. All twelve volumes are preserved in their handsome original leather bindings, forming a remarkably attractive and uniform set. Illustrated title pages. 12 volumes. Height: 43 cm. Total shelf length: approx. 60 cm. Condition: Very good. Original leather bindings.