Midrash Shmuel, Constantinople: 1517

16 leaves (10 1/2 x 7 3/4 in.; 267 x 196 mm). FOLIATION: 1-12 [4]. Some folios strengthened at gutter. Library stamps 1v, 2r, 16r; censor's signature (Domenico Carretto, 1622) f. 16r. Nineteenth century three quarter calf over marbled paper. spine and corners worn with losses.

Vinograd, Constantinople 90

AN EXTREMELY FINE COPY OF A VERY EARLY CONSTANTINOPLE IMPRINT; RARELY SEEN IN THIS CONDITION

Midrash Shmuel is the only Midrash to a book of the early prophets. Written in the Land of Israel no earlier than the 10^th century, it contains 32 chapters comprising interpretations and homilies on the biblical text of First and Second Samuel, with each homily being prefaced and introduced by a verse taken from some other book of the Bible. The editor arranged the sentences in the sequence of the verses to which they refer. Rashi was the first to mention and quote the Midrash, and it is frequently mentioned by later authorities, though  referred to by many names: Midrash Samuel, Aggadat Samuel, Midrash Et La'asot (from its opening words, Ps. 119:126).