Maseches Avoda Zora Bomberg First Edition. Venice 1520.

Maseches Avoda Zora Bomberg First Edition. Venice 1520.
Maseches Avoda Zara, printed by Daniel Bomberg, with the Rashi and Tosfos commentaries alongside the Talmud. With additional commentary of the Rosh, Piskei HaTosfos, as well as the Rambam’s commentary on the Mishna printed at the end of the volume.
Individual volume of the first complete edition of the Talmud. This edition determined the layout of the page for nearly every subsequent edition of the Talmud. Additionally, this particular edition of the Talmud is virtually free of the encroachments of the censor. As is well-known Daniel Bomberg spared no effort in printing an accurate and magnificent set of the Talmud. The result was the famed “Bomberg Shas” which has been a treasured collectors’ item for generations.
Tractate Avoda Zara, which literally means “foreign worship”, deals primarily with the laws of Jews living amongst Gentiles, and includes regulations about the interaction between Jews and “Idolaters”. Historically it has been the subject of criticism from the Church which interpreted the polemic of the tractate as being directed against it. As such it has been heavily censored over the generations.
Incomplete copy. Lacking title page, as well as pages 2, 7, 48, 69-73, 91-97.
Vinograd Venice 29. Bomberg press. (Should be) 97 pages. 36.5 cm. Overall fine condition. Some professional restorations throughout, at times effecting some text. Modern binding.
Opening bid $2000