Sermons on the Torah portions, by R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib. Constantinople: [printer not indicated, 1523]. First edition.
Printed without title page. The name of the author is not mentioned in the body of the work.
Initial word "Bereshit" on p. [1a] set in fine, woodcut decorative panel.
The author, R. Yehoshua ibn Shuaib (ca. 1280 – ca. 1340), was a Spanish Torah scholar in the early 14th century. A disciple of the Rashba, colleague of the Ritva and teacher of R. Menachem ben Zerach author of Tzedah LaDerech. He was renowned primarily for this book of sermons, which is arranged in order of the Torah portions and festivals (these are presumably sermons he delivered on Shabbat), and includes discussions on halachic and aggadic topics, commentaries to the Talmud and midrash, and words of ethics and kabbalah.
Colophon on final leaf, stating that the book was completed in Constantinople on Friday, 12th Adar 1523.
Signature on the title page: "Yehuda Mendola 1718" – R. Yehuda Mendola (d. 1752), rabbi in Padua, Rovigo and Mantua in the first half of the 18th century. He was a disciple and colleague of the Ramchal, who taught him kabbalah. He defended and supported the Ramchal during the polemic surrounding him.
A few glosses on several leaves, in Italian script, possibly handwritten by R. Yehuda Mendola.
Censorship expurgation appears on one leaf. A censorship inscription is found on the final leaf, written by the censor Vincentius de Matelica and dated October 1619. The inscription states that the book was authorized under the instruction of Fra. Arcangelo da Foligno.

[126] leaves. Gathering number at top of leaves, and sheet number at foot of leaves. Collation: i7, ii-xv8, xvi7. Due to binding error in gathering xv of this copy, extra copies of first and final leaves of this gathering replace leaves 2 and 7. Final leaf of gathering iv bound after leaf 7 of gathering v. Final two leaves of gathering viii bound after second leaf of this gathering. Leaf 7 of gathering ix blank (lacking in some copies). 26.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and wax stains. Worming. Tears, including open tears to first leaf and in several other places, repaired with paper (close to engraved border on first leaf). New binding.

Provenance: Estate of Prof. Ephraim Elimelech Urbach.