Two copies of the book Toldot Yaakov Yosef, Chassidic work on the Torah portions, by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonne. Medzhybizh, [1817]. Second edition.
Toldot Yaakov Yosef was the first Chassidic book brought to print. It was authored by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonne (d. 1781), a leading and close disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the first to disseminate Chassidut. This book is the most important and authentic source of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, and was especially cherished by Chassidic leaders.
Two damaged copies. First copy: [1], 3, 5-33, 20-21, 34-89; 19, 32-33, 22-31, 34-48, 53-54, 49-52, 55-56, 58-59. Lacking leaf 57 of second sequence. Leaves 20-21, 22-31, 49-52 of second sequence bound out of place. 34 cm. Bluish paper. Fair condition. Several leaves in fair-poor condition. Stains and significant wear. Tears to many leaves (including title page), affecting text with loss in some places, repaired with paper. Large tears, with significant damage to text, to final leaf. Worming to final leaves, slightly affecting text. Stamps and inscriptions. New leather binding.
Second copy: 3, 5-89; 56, 58-59 leaves. Lacking title page and leaf 57 of second sequence. Approx. 31.5 cm. Poor condition. Stains. Open tears to first and final leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Significant worming in various places and along spine, affecting text. First two leaves detached. Without binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 606.