Obj. ID: 38789
Jewish printed books Masechet Megillah, Amsterdam, 1709
This text was prepared by William Gross:
Printings of Masechtot from the Talmud were a regular occurance since the beginning of Hebrew publications. This is one such edition from Amsterdamd. In beautiful tooled leather binding with clasps. Tooled with the name "Avraham di Yosef di Mattos".
The book's publisher, Moses b. Abraham Mendes Coutinho, was from a noted familyof Sephardic Jews, whose members settled following their escape from Portugal, inter alia, in Hamburg, Brazil and the West Indies. In 1697, Moses Coutinho purchased from David Tartas the latter's printing equipment and three privilieges. It is not known where he learned the printing trade, as he is not listed by name on any work printed in Amsterdam earlier. He printed his first two works in 1699. In 1704 he was admitted to the Amsterdam Guild of Booksellers, Printers and Bookbinders. His press operated until 1711. He printed some 40 works throughout his career, including 35 in Hebrew.
Owned by: Avraham di Yosef di Mattos