Shnei HaMeorot HaGdolim.

Two Responsa books published as one. The first being Aderet Eliyahu written by Eliyahu ben Yehudah Kovo, and the second Pnei Yehoshua, written by Yehoshua Chandali, the son in law of Rabbi Kovo. The manuscripts of Aderet Eliyahu were kept by his two grandsons after Rabbi Kovo's death in 1689, and were printed in 1739 together with their father's work, Pnei Yehoshua. Hence the name of the book 'The two great lights'.

The Kovo family were prominent Rabbis and community-leaders from Thessalonika, active for more than 400 years. The family originated from either near Lake Como in Italy, or Villar Del Como in the north of Spain, and had settled in Thessalonika in the beginning of the 16th century. Members of the family spread to the neighbouring Jewish communities and had served in various public posts. The family had more than 50 Chachamim [wise men] among its members between the years 1600-1910.

The ornate signature to the title page is attributed to Rabbi Chaim Shmuel HaCohen (c. 1810-1873), Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic community in Tiberias from 1857 to 1873.

First Edition; folio (32.5 x 22 cm); contemporary-style calf, spine gilt, with red morocco label stamped in gilt; old owners' signatures and inscriptions to title page; margins restored to some of the first and last leaves, edges rubbed; browning to most leaves. [2], 155, 14, 3, [2], 25 ll.

Vinograd (Const.), 501; Yaari 378, p.191.