Responsa Tashbetz, all four parts, responsa and Chut HaMeshulash. Amsterdam, 1738. First edition, with four title pages – the first title page is illustrated with figures of Moshe and Aharon, David and Shlomo.
Reputedly, the author, R. Shimon son of Tzemach Duran, merited to have his books beautifully printed and bound in fine, elegant bindings in virtue of his practice to cover his open books with a lavish kerchief (R. Yitzchak Palachi, Yafeh LaLev, III, Yoreh De'ah 277:3). Furthermore, it is told that he deeply respected his holy books and would clean them daily with a silk cloth (S.Y. Agnon, Sefer Sofer VeSipur, p. 152, related by R. Eliezerov in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch; N. Ben Menachem, Gevilei Sefarim, pp. 11-12, related by R. Zevin in the name of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch). Interestingly, all copies of this book with the original bindings were artistically prepared by hand, ornamented and decorated, with almost no copy similar to another. Most original bindings were made of fine mottled vellum, reminiscent of fish skin.
[11], 91; 69, [1]; 68, [1]; [1], 101, [1] leaves. 31.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text on some leaves. Small marginal tears to title page and other leaves, repaired with paper. Various signatures and stamps. Original artistically decorated parchment binding, with metal clasps (one lacking). Damage to binding; tears to spine. Back board partially detached.
This edition has several variants, which can be differentiated by the number of title pages. Some copies are known to have seven title pages (and even eight, see Kedem Auction 59, item 88), and some, like this copy, were printed with only four title pages (see Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, and see article by Dan and Gita Yardeni, Alei Sefer, X, pp. 119-132).