Rare: Five Chumshei Torah, Megillot, and Haftarot, in a small pocket format. Venice 1702-1704

Rare: Five Chumshei Torah, Megillot, and Haftarot, in a small pocket format. Venice 1702-1704
On the title page of the chumash: “Five Chumshei Torah, Five Megillot, and Haftarot, according to the minhag of all the holy communities, reprinted in beautiful letters in line with the holy Amsterdam printing, in a small format in high quality, in purity and beauty, in Venice 1702.” Separate title page for the Five Megillot and an additional title page for the haftaroth, where the printing date is written as 1703 and 1704 (respectively).

It is interesting to note that, although Venice was already known for the beauty of its printing houses already by the beginning of the previous century, the publishers nevertheless felt the need to stress the name of Amsterdam in the title page, even though its high-quality printings didn’t start until the 18th century. In the colophon, the publisher Rabbi David ben Revay Shlomo Altoros similarly notes: “It is equal to the printings of Amsterdam…” (this edition is without the Onkelos translation—printed the same year as this printing). A rare chumash categorized as such in the National Library. [1], 203, [1], 92, [3] leaves. 12cm.

Gilded page cuttings with decorations. Old binding (probably original), partially detached. Its bookmarks are torn. Stains and light defects. Overall very good condition. Library copy, stamped by hand.