Obj. ID: 37682
Jewish printed books  Halel ve-hodaot... Devotissime Azioni... by Yisrael Gedaliah Kazis, Mantua, 1767

This text was prepared by William Gross:

The Jews of Italy loved beautiful printing and used books and broadsides to pray, celebrate and commemorate in every area of their lives. There exists a greater variety in the use of Hebrew printing in Italy than in any other place into the 18th century. Mantua was probably second only to Venice in its importance in the history of Hebrew presses in Italy.
This very luxurious printed volume was published for a special prayer offered in honor of the recovery from an illness of the Empress of Austria, Maria Teresa, in whose Austrian Empire the city of Mantua had been included since 1708. The fine paper and elegant design were a feature of several special books printed in Mantua. The use of the red ink, the printing of both Italian and Hebrew texts on opposing pages and the placement throughout the work of delightful engraved illustrations, many of which have no particular relevance to the text, add immeasurably to the impressive appearance.
The Jewish community of Mantua dates back almost 1,000 years. Its members, who took part in most commercial and cultural activities in the city, once numbered about 3,000. After suffering heavily the Holocaust, the Jewish community today numbers around 100 members.
41 pp.