Deed of Sale of the House of Obadiah Sforno, Manuscript on Vellum, Bologna: 6 March 1553

Manuscript document on vellum (9 7/8 x 6 3/4 in.; 250 x 172 mm), 4 leaves with 6 ½ pages written in an italic hand in brown ink, 32 lines to the page, ruled in ink. Simple initial "I"; pen-drawn notary's mark and subscription of Joannes de Pulzonibus, who wrote the document, on p.6; pen-drawn notary's mark and subscription of Joannes and Jacobus de Beroaldis, three additional autograph subscriptions on p.7.  Disbound and stitched.

Severio Campanini, "Un intelletuale ebreo del Rinescimento" in: Verso l'epilogo di una convivenza: gli ebrei a Bolgna nel XVI secolo (Florence, 1996) pp. 99-128

Manuscript document on vellum (9 7/8 x 6 3/4 in.; 250 x 172 mm), 4 leaves with 6 ½ pages written in an italic hand in brown ink, 32 lines to the page, ruled in ink. Simple initial "I"; pen-drawn notary's mark and subscription of Joannes de Pulzonibus, who wrote the document, on p.6; pen-drawn notary's mark and subscription of Joannes and Jacobus de Beroaldis, three additional autograph subscriptions on p.7.Disbound and stitched.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno (ca. 1470-1550) was a renowned biblical commentator and physician. Born at Cesena, Italy, Sforno went on to Rome, where he studied philosophy, mathematics, philology, and medicine. He ultimately settled at Bologna, where he played an active role in resuscitating a Hebrew printing house and established the bet-midrash that he would lead until his death. Above all, Sforno's reputation rests on his biblical commentaries. These generally focus on the literal exegesis of the biblical text, avoiding mystical, philological and historical analysis. In addition to his biblical commentaries, he wrote a philosophical work Or Ammim, in which he sought to refute those views of Aristotle, which are in conflict with the principles of Judaism, by employing the basic elements of the Greek philosopher's own teachings.

After his death, the house where Obadiah (also known as Salvadeus) had lived in Bologna was inherited by his two sons, Jacob and Florius. Together with their uncle Hananel, Obadiah's brother and an eminent Talmudist in his own right, they sold the house in 1553, as evidenced by this document.