Bidspirit auction | AZULAI, CHAIM YOSEPH DAVID -

AZULAI, CHAIM YOSEPH DAVID - (Chid’a). Shem HaGedolim. * With: Va’ad Lechachim. Together, three volumes. * Vol. I: Shem HaGedolim, Part one. Second edition, with new additions. ff. (2), 144. Livorno, 1786. * Vol. II: Shem HaGedolim, Part two. First edition. ff. 104. Livorno, 1798. * Vol. III: Va’ad LeChachamim. First edition. ff. 54, 72. Livorno, 1796. Lightly browned. Occasional marginalia, signatures. Formerly in the collection of Dayan Casriel Dovid Kaplan. Uniform 19th-century sheep-backed boards. 4to. Vinograd, Livorno 233, 413, 449. During his travels through Europe as a Shadar, the Chid'a visited countless Jewish homes as well as Europe's most outstanding libraries, taking note of the various books he consulted. From his bibliographical observations, he published two separate works, ‘Shem Hagedolim’ with the names of the authors and ‘Va’ad Lechachamim’ with the titles of the books. The Shem Hagedolim is regarded as the most important compendium of Hebrew bio-bibliographical literature, providing us with insight towards the bookshelves of Jews and non-Jews in the 18th century. “This treatise has established for Azulai a lasting place in Jewish literature. It contains data that might otherwise have been lost.” (JE vol. II, p. 376). For more, see: https://www.genazym.com/auction/620-grand-winter-event/lot-81-19/