Rare: Machzor for Shalosh Regalim, Józefów - Slavita 1844.

Rare: Machzor for Shalosh Regalim, Józefów - Slavita 1844.

A complete copy of the Machzor for Shalosh Regalim (The three festivals: Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot), printed by Chaninah Lipa Shapiro in 1844, prior to the establishment of the famed Zhitomir printing press, but after the closure of the family's press in Slavita (The Slavita printing press was forcibly closed by the Russian government in 1837). 

Interestingly, while the Hebrew text on the title page states this edition was printed under the supervision of the Shapiro printers, a closer look at the Russian text reveals that the actual printer of this edition was not Shapiro himself but a local Józefów printer named Wachs. This would seem quite mysterious as it contradicts the Hebrew text, where no such statement is made. 

Upon further research we have concluded that this edition was in fact printed by Chaninah Lipa Shapiro, however at that time, an edict known as "the presses decree" was in place. As such, only very few presses throughout Russia were given permission to operate. Finally, in 1845, the Shapiro brothers managed to lease the Zhitomir press and subsequently gain exclusive access to the printing permits. But prior to this - in 1844, Chaninah Lipa arranged to use the well-established Wachs press of Józefów - where printing permits were already in place. Thus the discrepancy between the Russian and Hebrew texts.  

In very good condition, printed on thick paper - similar to that of Slavita imprints. Old small marginal repairs to first five leaves, not affecting text. Small open tear seen at top center of pp. 36, affecting just one letter of text. Bound in old cloth binding. 

A very rare edition; not very many copies were published as printing in Zhitomir began not long after. 

[1], 152 pp.