THE FIRST ITALIAN-LANGUAGE JEWISH PRAYER BOOK, 1802

JUDAICA. Formulario delle Orazioni degli Ebrei Italiani. Mantua: Presso la Societa Tipografica All'apollo, 1802. Octavo, original blue paper wrappers, stitched as issued; pp. (2), viii, 140, (4). $3800.

First edition of the first Italian-language Jewish prayer book, including prayers for the entire year written for the Sephardic rite, scarce in original wrappers.

This is the first Italian-language Jewish prayer book, written for the Sephardic rite. It covers a full year of the prayer cycle. Previously, prayer books printed in Italy were in Hebrew or Ladino; this publication acknowledges a new demand for prayer in the vernacular. The acceptance—or at least tolerance—of vernacular prayer in many countries set the stage for the 19th century rise of progressive Judaism. Text in Italian. With leaf of errata at rear.

Interior clean and fine, original wrappers lightly creased, worn along spine but stitching sound. An excellent copy.