Le Duc Joseph De Naxos. Contribution à l'Histoire Juive du XVIe siècle (Duke Joseph of Naxos: Contribution to 16th-Century Jewish History)
Paris: Librairie Lipschutz, 1936. First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. 270, [6]pp., 4 plates. Bound in three quarter cloth over marbled paper boards with gilt lettering and ruling on spine. Fascinating work on Don Joseph Nasi (1524–1579), Jewish diplomat and administrator, member of the House of Mendes, and influential figure in the Ottoman Empire during the rules of both Sultan Suleiman I and his son Selim II. He was a great benefactor of the Jewish people. A Court Jew, he was appointed the Lord of Tiberias, with the expressed aim of resettling Jews in Palestine and encouraging industry there; the attempt failed, and, later, he was appointed the Duke of Naxos and the Seven Islands. Nasi also brought about war with the Republic of Venice, at the end of which Venice lost the island of Cyprus to the Ottomans. After the death of Selim, he lost influence in the Ottoman Court, but was allowed to keep his titles and pension for the remainder of his life. Four pages of publisher's titles advertised at rear.
Some wear of binding along edges and boards rubbed. Small paper sticker on front cover cloth near lower spine. Reinforced at front free endpaper and here starting lightly. Name lightly inked to front free endpaper. Number penciled to half title. Block age-toned. Back inside cover with flaws as at front. Good- condition. Item #55742
Price: $175.00