Auction 93 Part 1 - Manuscripts, Prints and Engravings, Objects and Facsimiles, from the Gross Family Collection, and Private Collections
Der Gantze Jüdische Glaube [The Whole Jewish Belief], by Antonius (Anton) Margaritha. Augsburg: Heinrich Steyner, 1530. German (and some Hebrew). First edition, first issue (March 1530); printing details from the colophon.
An anti–Semitic, polemic work by the apostate Anton Margaritha (1492–1542), a descendant of a well–known family of rabbis in Germany; son of R. Shmuel Margolies Rabbi of Regensburg and grandson of R. Yaakov Margolies Rabbi of Nuremberg. Several in–text woodcuts, including woodcuts depicting Jews at the synagogue (after woodcuts printed in Johannes [Josef] Pfefferkorn's book 'Ich heyß ain büchlein der juden peicht' [Augsburg 1508]).
The work claims to expose the true face of Judaism, mocks Jewish customs and makes serious accusations against the Jews. Margaritha warns his Christian readers against having contact and trading with Jews, cautions them not to consult with Jewish physicians and portrays a negative picture of the Jewish Sabbath and the custom of using a "Sabbath Gentile". One of the worst allegations targets the political loyalty of the Jews, who are portrayed as treacherous subjects and supporters of enemy countries, headed by the Ottoman Empire.
This work deeply affected Martin Luther, who was inspired by it to write his anti–Semitic book "On the Jews and Their Lies".
Alongside its wide influence on anti–Semitism in early modern history, the book is also considered a valuable source of information about the daily life of Jews and their customs during that period. This work includes, among others, the first translation of the Jewish prayer book for a non–Jewish readership (see: Between Judaism and Christianity(ies), between Ethnography and Polemic: Antonius Margaritha's Writing on the Kabbalah in 'The Whole Jewish Belief' [Hebrew], by Daniel Lehmann).
The grim accusations against the Jews made by Margaritha in this book led to a public debate, conducted in 1530 before the Imperial Committee, that convened in the Reichstag of Augsburg, in the presence of Emperor Karl V. Margaritha's opponent in this debate was the well–known Jewish lobbyist Rabbi Joseph ben Gershon of Rosheim (Joseph Loanz). After Joseph ben Gershon refuted Margaritha's claims against the Jews, Margaritha was banished from Augsburg.
[199] pages (gatherings A–Z4, a–b4). 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases and minor wear. Minor tears. Marginal open tears to final leaves, repaired with paper, with minimal damage to text. Stamps of the Berlin Jewish library on a few leaves. Inscriptions and glosses. New parchment binding.
Exhibition:
• Glaubensfragen: Chatrooms auf dem Weg in die Neuzeit, Ausstellungskatalog des Ulmer Museums und des Museum of the Bible, Felicitas Heimann-Jelinek, David Trobisch and Gabriele Holthuis. Ulm, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2016, p. 66-67.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.331.
1. [The Martyrdom of Simon of Trent]. Incunable leaf from Hartmann Schedel's Weltchronik (the Nuremberg Chronicle). Nuremberg, 1493. German.
The leaf contains a large woodcut depicting Jews apparently torturing to death the child Simon of Trent (the names of the Jews appear on the illustration)
On 23rd March 1475, a Christian child named Simon, two and half years old, disappeared from his home in Trent, North Italy; three days later, on the eve of Good Friday (anniversary of Christ's crucifixion), his body was found near the home (or cellar or well) of a local Jew, a moneylender named Samuel. After the body was found, the bishop declared that the entire Trent Jewish community, including several converts to Christianity, as guilty of the child's murder. The entire Jewish community was arrested, tortured, and some were burned at the stake or beheaded. Simon was declared as saint by the Pope, and his memory was commemorated annually in March, until his status as a saint was cancelled in 1965. Three additional woodcuts on the verso: a comet; Christian King of Denmark, Sweden and Norway; and Hercules Duke of Ferrara.
[1] leaf. 42.5 cm. Good condition.
2. Rabini, Schemhamphoras [Rabbi, Shem HaMeforash]. Woodcut depicting the Judensau (Jew's Sow), presumably by Jakob Lederlein. Cut from a larger leaf, presumably from the book Lectionum memorabilium et reconditarum centenarii XVI by Johan Wolf (printed in Germany, Lauingen, 1600). Approx. 10.5X7 cm. Fair–good condition.
3. Diese Abbildung stehet zu Frankfurt am Maijn am Bruecken Thurm abgemahlt / A 1475, am Gruenen Donnerstag ward das Kindlein Simeo 2 half Jahr alt von den Juden umgebracht [this image appears on the bridge of Frankfurt am Main / in 1475, on Holy Thursday, the two and half year–old child Simon of Trent was murdered by the Jews]. [Germany, 18th century?]. Antisemitic engraving depicting the Judensau. At the top of the leaf, the stabbed body of Simon of Trent, who was libelously claimed to have been murdered by the Jews (see above, no. 1). 17.5 cm. Good condition.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 062.011.001, 062.011.002, 062.011.003.
Four incunable leaves from the Latin and German editions of the Weltchronik (the Nuremberg Chronicle) by Hartmann Schedel. [Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493].
1–2. Two leaves from the Latin edition: • Leaf CCLIII, hand–colored: on one side, Jews are depicted supposedly torturing to death the child Simon of Trent; on the other side, three other woodcuts, also colored: a comet; Christian king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway; and Hercules Duke of Ferrara. • Leaf CCLVII: on one side, Jews are seen being burned alive during the pogroms in Sternberg (Mecklenburg, Germany). In October 1492, in what is known as the Sternberg Pogrom, 27 Jews were burned alive for allegedly desecrating the host. On the verso, cityscape of Constantinople.
3–4. Two leaves from the German edition: • Leaf XXXII, hand–colored: a seven–branched candelabra on both sides. • Leaf XXXV, hand–colored (attached to leave XXXII): on one side, five ancient Roman gods are depicted, and on the other, eight sibyls (prophetesses).
Size varies. Overall good condition.
Provenance: Private collection.
Sterneberch. Vã den bosen joden volget hyr eyn gheschicht [Sternberg, here follows a story of the evil Jews]; two facsimiles of an antisemitic pamphlet, published in the early days of printing in Europe, accusing the Jews of Mecklenburg of desecrating the host:
1. Facsimile of the pamphlet on paper from the time of the original 15th-century publication. Apparently, this is an exemplar from an edition of 100 copies published in Vienna by Gilhofer & Ranschburg, 1889 (the edition was published with a title page and printer's device, missing in the present copy).
[4] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor worming. Leaves detached. Inscriptions and stamps. Paper strap glued along spine. Paper pastings.
2. Geschichte der Juden zu Sternberg mit dem Sakrament [Story of the Sternberg Jews with the Sacrament]. Arizona: Thorn Books, 2009. Fine volume, with introduction by James Owen (facsimile is placed in a small paper file at the end of the volume). The present copy is no. "E", of an edition of 120 numbered copies.
[11] leaves + [4] pages. Approx. 19.5–21 cm. Good condition.
The Sternberg Blood Libel
During July 1492 the Jews of the city of Sternberg [Mecklenburg, Germany], were accused of desecrating the sacramental bread. Antisemitic propaganda pamphlets published shortly after the event, claimed that the local Jew Elazar took advantage of the priest Peter Däne's dire financial situation, to acquire from him two hosts. During the wedding of Elazar's daughter, the Jews stabbed the sacramental bread, which bled profusely. Elazar's wife attempted to dispose of the bleeding host in a garbage heap outside the city, but failed to so, and returned the hosts to Däne, who buried them in the cemetery.
As result of the blood libel, the Jews of Mecklenburg were put on trial; 27 of them were severely tortured, and later Burned at the stake. The remaining Jews were expelled from Mecklenburg. The priest Däne was also immolated.
In the wake of these events, many pamphlets emerged, chronicling the events in Sternberg. The present lot comprises two facsimiles of a pamphlet printed in Lübeck, in late 1492 or early 1493, written in Plattdeutsch, and published by Matthaeus Brandis. Notably, adorning the pamphlet's cover is a meticulously detailed woodcut depicting the Jews purportedly committing the blasphemous act of stabbing the host during the wedding of Elazar's daughter.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, NHB.154.
Jüdische Merckwürdigkeiten [Jewish Oddities], by Johann Jacob Schudt. Four parts in two volumes. Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1714–1718. German, with some Hebrew, Yiddish and Latin.
"Jewish Oddities" was published between 1714 and 1718, introducing one of the most comprehensive studies on Judaism until then: more than 3,000 pages documenting the minute details of Jewish life, dress, language, prayers, holidays and customs.
Although the book did not address any particular community, most of the information it contains was gathered in the author's city, Frankfurt, and it provides a valuable documentation of the Frankfurt Jewish community. Several of the texts copied by Schudt (in Hebrew and Yiddish) are unknown from other sources: a Selicha authored by Rabbi Shmuel Schotten Katz following the great fire in the Jewish Quarter of Frankfurt in 1711; the Purim play "Ahasuerus–Spiel" (of which most copies were burnt following a rabbinical decree; the text was preserved only thanks to Schudt); two versions of women's incantations for childbirth; regulations of the Jewish community forbidding luxuries; and more.
Besides its documental value, the book is considered a landmark in the history of modern anti–Semitism, mainly due to a special chapter dedicated entirely to a description of the Jewish body – its shape, colors and smells (this chapter is considered a harbinger of racist anti–Semitism in Europe).
The book features several engravings (some as separate plates and some in–text), including a portrait of the author, an engraving depicting Jacob blessing Joseph's sons, an engraving depicting two festive processions held in Jewish communities in Germany in 1716 for the birth of Leopold Johann, the son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Carl VI, and an especially offensive engraving of the Judensau ("Jews' Sow").
One leaf missing from part I.
Two volumes. Vol. I: [11] ff., 159, 180–580 pp. (pp. 81–82 missing); [4] ff., 432, 383, [1] pp. + [5] engraved plates; Vol. II: [4] ff., 358, [1] pp., [15] ff., 320, 447, [1], 192 pp., [19] ff., 48 pp., [31] ff. + [5] engraved plates. Approx. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Inscriptions. Minor worming. Minor perforations and marginal tears (few open tears to leaf corners). Vellum bindings. Wear, stains and minor tears to bindings.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.350.
Jüdisches Franckfurter und Prager Freuden–Fest, Wegen der höchst–glücklichen Geburth Des Durchläuchtigsten Käyserlichen Erb–Prinzens, by Johann Jacob Schudt. Frankfurt am Main: Matthias Andreä, 1716. First edition. German, Hebrew, and Western Yiddish.
Depiction of the ceremonies and celebrations arranged by the Jews in Frankfurt and Prague in honor of the birth of the imperial heir Leopold Johann (April–November 1716), son of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Including special poems and prayers composed for the occasion.
The work opens with an engraving (folded) depicting two processions which took place in the framework of the celebrations, one in the Jewish community of Prague, and the second in the Jewish community of Frankfurt. The procession of Prague's Jews includes figures of Moses and Aaron, a figure carrying a Star of David, groups of men raising a flag, and other Jewish characteristics.
Copy from the first printed edition of the book. Two years later, the author published this work within his famous book Jüdische Merckwürdigkeiten (part IV, Frankfurt am Main, 1718), with minor variations to text and typography.
84 pages + [1] folded engraved plate. 15.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains and defects. Several leaves with paper repairs to inner margins. Marginal tear to title page, repaired. Non–original binding and endpapers.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.351.
Entdecktes Judenthum, oder Gründlicher und wahrhaffter Bericht, welchergestalt die verstockte Juden die Hochheilige Dreyeinigkeit, Gott Vater, Sohn und Heiligen Geist erschrecklicher Weise lästern [Judaism Unmasked – a thorough and true report about the horrifying manner in which the stubborn Jews blaspheme the Holy Trinity…], by Johann Andreas Eisenmenger. [Berlin], 1711 (false imprint on title page for: Königsberg). Second edition. Two parts in one volume. German, Hebrew and some Arabic.
Bookplate of Chaim Brody (signed in print "Struck").
Johann Andreas Eisenmenger (1654–1704), a German orientalist and professor of Semitic languages, is considered a precursor of modern antisemitism. Eisenmenger studied the Bible, the Talmud and rabbinical writings and met with Jewish scholars and rabbis, seeking evidence that Judaism was immoral and promoted hatred of Christians. For some 19 years, he professed to be studying the Jewish religion in order to convert to Judaism; in 1694 he even printed the Hebrew Bible in Frankfurt and was granted the approbation of Rabbi David Gruenhut (who described Eisenmenger in his foreword as an "exalted scholar"). Entdecktes Judenthum – "Judaism Unmasked" – is a credible, seemingly scientific study defaming Judaism and its threats to Christianity, and is considered to this day a classic of modern antisemitism. It was dubbed "an encyclopedia of Jew hatred" by historian Simon Dubnow.
This is the second edition, printed clandestinely in violation of an injunction against the book, seven years after the author's death. In order to avoid prosecution, it was falsely presented as having been printed in Königsberg, which was outside the jurisdiction of Emperor Joseph I.
[20], 1016, [1]; [3], 1111, [1] pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains, and minor defects. Ownership inscriptions on front endpapers and inside front binding. Minor marginal tears to some leaves. Worming to binding and first leaves, slightly affecting text. Parchment binding, slightly worn and stained.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.216.
Plünderung der Iudengassen zu Franckfurt am Main den 22 Augusti 1614 / Auszug der Iuden den 23. Augusti [plundering of the Jewish streets in Frankfurt am Main on 22nd August 1614 / Jews leaving on 23rd August]. [Engraving by or after Georg Keller]. [Germany, ca. 1616–1617]. German.
Double engraving, depicting two scenes: to the left the violent raid on the Jewish quarter of Frankfurt am Main on 22nd August 1614, during the course of the uprising of the guilds led by Fettmilch; to the right the Jews leaving Frankfurt on the 23rd August (the Jews are seen wearing the same distinctive round badge on their clothing, some of the figures are seen exclaiming sorrowfully: "O wey" and "leider o leider").
In 1614, Vinzenz Fettmilch, a German baker from Frankfurt am Main, led the uprising of the guilds against his city's institutions. The uprising developed into a raid on the Jewish quarter, in the course of which Jewish homes were looted. As a result, the Jews were forced to leave the city. After the intervention of Emperor Matthias, Fettmilch was imprisoned, and in February 1616 he was executed in one of the city's squares. The Jews of Frankurt am Main were allowed to return to their homes, and the day of their return was declared a holiday called the "Frankfurt Purim" or "Vinz Purim". See item no. 231.
Engraving: 33.5X21.5 cm; leaf: 36.5X24.5 cm. Good condition. Minor tears, professionally restored. Some stains and creases. Paper residue on verso.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.020.
Rare.
Executio Rebellium Francofurti Ad Maenum [execution of the rebels in Frankfurt am Main]. Engraving depicting the execution of Vinzenz Fettmilch in Frankfurt am Main. Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, 17th century, ca. 1620].
In 1614, Vinzenz Fettmilch, a German baker from Frankfurt am Main, led the uprising of the guilds against his city's institutions. The uprising developed into a raid on the Jewish quarter, in the course of which Jewish homes were looted. As a result, the Jews were forced to leave the city. After the intervention of Emperor Matthias, Fettmilch was imprisoned, and in February 1616 he was executed in one of the city's squares. The Jews of Frankurt am Main were allowed to return to their homes, and the day of their return was declared a holiday called the "Frankfurt Purim" or "Vinz Purim". See also item no. 230.
35.5X26 cm. Fair–good condition. Open tears to left margin (affecting edge of illustration), professionally restored. Minor stains. Ink stamp on verso. Paper residue on verso.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.021.
Des justificirten Juden / Joseph Sueß oppenheimers / Geburt / Leben und Tod [The Execution of the Jew Joseph Süß Oppenheimer, Birth, Life and Death]. Hand–colored engraving, depicting scenes from the life of "the Jew Süß". Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, ca. 1738]. German.
The present engraving was originally part of a larger sheet (broadsheet), comprising a brief biography and satirical stanzas describing the story of Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer in its lower part ("the Jew Süß", 1698–1738). The broadsheet was presumably part of a group of publications circulated shortly after his execution. See also items 233 and 234.
Compare: USHMM, item 2016.184.242; Würtemberg State Library, Stuttgart, item HBFC 6015.
Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer (1698–1738) was a court Jew, banker and financial advisor to Duke Karl Alexander of Würtemberg. After the Duke's sudden death, Oppenheimer was charged for a variety of offenses: treason, abusing his position and authority for his personal gain, embezzlement of public funds and licentious lifestyle; he was hanged and his body left in a suspended cage for six years (this cage is featured in most engravings depicting his story).
31X21 cm. Fragment (lacking lower part). Overall good condition. Folding marks. Tears, professionally restored. Some stains. Paper residue on verso.
Exhibition:
• Only on paper: Six Centuries of Judaica from the Gross Family Collection, CD, 2005.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.008.
Des Joseph Süssen Lebens–Wamdel, wie auch sein Schellme–voller handel, wird mit dem galgen–Tod bezahlet woran er in den Kefig prahlet / [Die Hinrichtung des Juden Süß Oppenheimer in Stuttgart]. [Execution of the Jew Süß in Stuttgart]. Engraving by an unknown artist. Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, ca. 1738]. German.
Engraving depicting six scenes from the life of Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer, from the time he served as court Jew until his execution. The center of the leaf is occupied by a large illustration of the gallows and the metal cage Oppenheimer's body was exhibited in. This engraving is presumably part of a group of publications circulated shortly after his execution.
Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer (1698–1738) was a court Jew, banker and financial advisor to Duke Karl Alexander of Würtemberg. After the Duke's sudden death, Oppenheimer was charged for a variety of offenses: treason, abusing his position and authority for his personal gain, embezzlement of public funds and licentious lifestyle; he was hanged and his body was left in a suspended cage for six years (the cage is featured in most engravings depicting his story). See also items 232 and 234.
Compare: Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg, Inventarnummer HB3934.
Engraving: 35.5X27.5 cm; leaf: 36.5X29 cm. Very good condition. Minor creases, minor stains. Paper residue on verso.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.018.
Joseph Süß Oppenheimer… Engraving by Ioh. [Iohann?] Gustav Kleckler, hand–colored. Publisher, place and year not indicated. [Germany, ca. 1738]. German.
High–quality, hand–colored engraving, printed on thick paper, portraying the life of Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer, accompanied with illustrations and verses describing his life story. This engraving is presumably part of a group of publications circulated shortly after his execution.
Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer (1698–1738) was a court Jew, banker and financial advisor to Duke Karl Alexander of Würtemberg. After the Duke's sudden death, Oppenheimer was charged for a variety of offenses: treason, abusing his position and authority for his personal gain, embezzlement of public funds and licentious lifestyle; he was hanged and his body left in a suspended cage for six years (this cage is featured in most engravings depicting his story). See also items 232 and 233.
Compare: Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main (ISG FFM) Best. S7Z (Zeitbilder) No. 1614-4.
Engraving: 29.5X21.5 cm; leaf: 32.5X23.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Minor tears, professionally restored. Minor creases. Paper residue on verso.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.019.
Rare.