A large sheet with three decrees by Cardinal Ercole Gonzaga and Duchess Margherita Paleologo Gonzaga, rulers of the Duchy of Mantua. Manuscript on parchment. Mantua, dated October 28, 1540. Latin and Italian.
The first decree refers to the rights and obligations of Jews residing in all areas of the Duchy of Mantua. The preface, in Latin, discusses the tolerance shown by the authorities of Mantua towards their Jewish citizens, and the permit they have been granted to congregate in synagogues and practice their religious ceremonies, rituals and prayers. The main portion of the decree refers to the permit granted to Jews to trade in second-hand textiles and fabrics, and to the limitations and taxes on trading in new textiles. The text also mentions the restriction on Jews employing Christian workers and servants in return for room and board, especially women (except for cases of support for new mothers), and the permit to employ male servants during the daytime, without room and board.
The second decree relates to the obligation of Jews to wear a yellow patch, with details regarding the required shape of the patch and how to sew it onto clothing.
The third decree refers to the ban on Jews doing business with Christians on Christian holidays.
Each decree also details the fines to be paid if the decree is violated.
The last part of the document cites the ban on the abuse of Jews, including offences such as murder, theft, adultery, rape or any other crime.
Signatures of the duchy's secretary and counsel, and others, appear at the bottom of the sheet. 66x52cm. Good-medium condition. A number of stains and tears, some restored, and some of which affect the text. Folded.

Prayer for the Jews of Mantua, for morning and evening…for the victory of …Emperor Giuseppe II [Joseph II, Emperor of the Holy Empire of Rome]…" [Mantua], [1788]. A prayer in Hebrew, for the Emperor's victory. Printed in two columns, in a decorated frame. The Emperor's name appears throughout the prayer in Latin letters. [1] leaf 34X26.5 cm. Good condition. Folds at corners.

Teachers Seminary, large photo. New-York, 1926.
Photo of a dinner in the New-York Teachers Seminary. Annotated in the plate (in English). Signed in the plate: I. Cantor. 31X51 cm. Good condition. Minor creases. Borders and corners slightly restored.

Ephraim Dienard (1846-1930) a bibliographer and Hebrew author, collector of books and book seller; a leading bibliographer in the new era. Historian and polemicist; his writings were subject to much criticism. Deinard was considered a provocative author, writing with no inhibitions about controversial subjects. His early literary work concerned the history of Jews in inner Russia, the Jews of Crimea and the Karaite Jews. Emmigrated from Russia to the US in the 1890s where he published his books about Hasidut and Zionism. Presented here are ten of his books, in six volumes:
1-2. Journey in the Crimean Peninsula. Warsaw, 1879 - 1880. Parts I and II. No binding. Foxing-marks. Ex-library copy.
3-4. Jewish History in Russia 1880-1888. N.J. Kearny, [1904]. Parts I and II in one volume. Foxing-marks, ex-library copy.
5-6. Zichronot Bat-Ami, memoirs of Jewish life in Russia. St. Louis, [1920]. Parts I and II in one volume. Good condition. Minor stains.
7-8. Kehilat America in two parts. Part I contains essays about literature in general and literature in America in particular, part IIcontains a list of all of the books ever printed in America since the beginning of printing in Hebrew in 1735 until 1926, and a short critic about most of the books.
St. Louis, [1926]. Printed in 300 copies. Handwritten severe comments against the author have been added on the margins of leaves. Good condition. Damaged binding.
9"Alatah", St. Louis, 1927. With title: "Am Toei Levav…" amongst others things the author denies the existence of the Ba'al Shem Tov. Printed in 300 copies. Good condition.
10. "HaYa'ar Be'ein Dov, Conclusive evidence that…Jesus Christ never existed". St. Louis, 1929. Good condition.