Printer’s Colophon for Solomon Ibn Gabirol’s Choice of Pearls

Cornelio Adelkind

1547

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This Hebrew colophon (a note at the end of a book giving information about its publication) was included at the end of a printed copy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol’s eleventh-century book of ethical sayings, Mivḥar ha-peninim (Choice of Pearls), produced in Venice. In this colophon, Adelkind mentions the Signoria, the governmental body that ruled the Republic of Venice beginning in the fifteenth century, and the principate (term) of Francesco Donato (ca. 1468–1553), a wealthy Italian diplomat who served as Doge of Venice from 1545 to 1553. 

And the work was finished on the eve of Sabbath, in
the month of Shebat, in the year 307, in the great
city of Venice which is under the rule of
the Signoria, may God increase their
glory, and in the first year of
the principate of Francesco
Donato, by the hands
of Cornelio Adelkind.

 

Translated by

David Werner
Amram.

 

Credits

Cornelio Adelkind, “Colophon” in Solomon Ibn Gabirol, Mivḥar ha-peninim (Choice of Pearls). Venice: Bomberg, 1546.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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This Hebrew colophon (a note at the end of a book giving information about its publication) was included at the end of a printed copy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol’s eleventh-century book of ethical sayings, Mivḥar ha-peninim (Choice of Pearls), produced in Venice. In this colophon, Adelkind mentions the Signoria, the governmental body that ruled the Republic of Venice beginning in the fifteenth century, and the principate (term) of Francesco Donato (ca. 1468–1553), a wealthy Italian diplomat who served as Doge of Venice from 1545 to 1553. 

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Page of printed Hebrew text with word set in decorated border on top.
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