Sefer Toldot Ya'akov – London, 1770 – One of the First Hebrew Books Printed in England

Sefer Toldot Ya'akov, Drushim on the Bible and Midrashim by the Sages. By Rabbi Ya'akov ben Rabbi Eliezer Eisenstadt of Szydłowiec, the grandson of Rabbi Meir Av Beit Din of Eisenstadt, author of Panim Me'irot. "Resident of England in London". London, [1770].
The year in which the book was printed was the first year of Hebrew printing in England. Except for prayer books (Siddur, Haggadah and Selichot), the book before us is most likely the first Hebrew religious composition that was printed in England!
At the beginning of the book, the author recalls the special adventures he had experienced during his life and the miracles that had saved him from various perils. 
The author, who came from Poland to Israel, specifically included in his book an approbation by Rabbi Moshe Ha'Cohen di Azivido, the rabbi of the Sephardi c community of London. In his preface of the book, the author explains that he had not included the approbations by the rabbis of the Ashkenazic community who had praised the book only due to "the large expenses of printing". 
In his homilies, the author refers to the situation of the Jewish world in those days. Thus for example, he writes (leaf 64): "God has graced several people who are considered important by the king, his ministers and advisors and sometimes they save Jewish lives … I have heard with my very own ears that that non-Jews say to each other: Jews have more influence in the king's court since they can save a Jew from death more than we can, and they would say it is because of the money they have to give in order to save a life … this is why they are graced in the king's court…"
[3], 65 leaves. 14.5 cm.
Condition: Good. Thick paper. Various stains and wear. The last leaf is detached. Slight tears. Red edges. Old binding.