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Besamim Rosh, eight discourses on Halachah and Aggadah by R. Yitzchak Ashkenazi son of R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi; with the will of his grandfather, R. Moshe David Ashkenazi Rabbi of Tolcsva. [Frankfurt am Main, ca. 1915 / Munkacs, 1903].
In reality, only the cover was printed in Frankfurt, while the book itself was an old printing of the final section of Shemen Rosh - the book of his father R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi Rabbi of Stanislav, which was published in Munkacs, 1903 (see: enclosed copy). This is an interesting case of plagiarism between father and son: R. Yitzchak Ashkenazi, son of R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi, was exiled during WWI and settled in Frankfurt am Main. During his stay there, he took the original booklets of Besamim Rosh from his father's book (printed in Munkacs, 1903), added a new printed wrapper featuring the title page, in which he attributes the composition to himself: "Besamim Rosh, includes eight discourses in Halacha and Aggadah, by R. Y. Ashkenazi… son of R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi…". In the lower part of the title page, two additional lines are printed with emphasis: "This is the one booklet which was saved from the destruction in our town, and the printed part testifies on the whole…". At the bottom of the title page, the following statement is printed: "Now, in times of emergency and destruction, the address of the rabbi, author and publisher is…".
A possible explanation for this strange plagiarism is the difficult and desperate situation which R. Yitzchak Ashkenazi found himself in during WWI, which compelled him to wander and reduced him to dire financial straits. Publication of this booklet, and attributing it to himself, was perhaps an attempt on his part to earn recognition, so as to receive financial and material help which would allow him to survive the war.
[1] Title wrapper, 16 leaves. 33 cm. Very dry and brittle paper. Fair condition. Stains. Tears to several leaves, affecting text with some loss. Damage. Cover detached and damaged.
Enclosed: Original copy of Shemen Rosh - Responsa on all four parts of Shulchan Aruch, with the Besamim Rosh section, various discourses and eulogies, by R. Asher Anshel Ashkenazi Rabbi of Stanislav. Munkacs, [1903].
[4], 45; [1], 1-52, 51-60; 24; [1]-2, 27-42, [2]; 16 leaves. Approx. 33 cm. Very dry and brittle paper. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Minor tears and damage to title page and other leaves. Marginal creases to some leaves. Old, crumbling binding, without spine.