Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 121 - 132 of 168
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Large diverse collection of books, booklets and various printed matter printed in Baghdad during 1866-1937.
This unusually large collection contains more than 100 items: books, booklets, single leaves and calendars. The collection represents the history of the Baghdad Hebrew printing press, from its beginning in the first half of the 19th century until the 1930s.
The collection originated in the library of the renowned R. David Sassoon and is one of the key sources for the bibliographic records of Baghdad printings listed by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Part 2, Jerusalem 1940, Baghdad). The collection contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
This collection is composed of 115 books and booklets and 36 printed calendars. 77 of the items are listed in the Ya'ari records and 19 books from this collection do not appear in the Ya'ari listing. The collection also contains 14 Baghdad books which were printed in Livorno, some with fake title pages (with Baghdad inscribed on them).
A detailed list is available upon request.
Although Baghdad was one of the most important ancient Jewish communities in the East, it did not have its own printing press until the mid-19th century. In the 18th century, Baghdad residents would send their books to Constantinople or to Livorno for printing. The first Hebrew printing press was established in 1866 by Rachamim ben Reuven ben Mordechai and the first book printed in letterpress printing was Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital (only a few lithographs were printed prior to that). After a respite of several years, Hebrew printing was reintroduced by R. Shlomo Bechor Chutzin, a Baghdad rabbi, Torah scholar and leader who later passed on the press to his son R. Yehoshua Bechor Chutzin. In 1904, a new printing press was established in Baghdad by R. Ezra Reuven Dangur who was rabbi and posek in Yangon (Rangoon) Burma and in 1923, he was appointed Chacham Bashi of Baghdad. During the British mandate, two more Hebrew printing presses were founded: the "al Wataniya Yisraeliya" and the printing press of Elisha Shochet. This collection aptly represents all the printing presses, from the first books printed in Baghdad including the very first book, Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital, until the printings during the British mandate. The collection also contains many calendars of various publishers. Some books have dedications or ownership inscriptions (most related to the Sassoon family) and some have title pages printed in gold ink or printed dedication leaves.
115 books and booklets, 36 calendars. Size and condition vary.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
This unusually large collection contains more than 100 items: books, booklets, single leaves and calendars. The collection represents the history of the Baghdad Hebrew printing press, from its beginning in the first half of the 19th century until the 1930s.
The collection originated in the library of the renowned R. David Sassoon and is one of the key sources for the bibliographic records of Baghdad printings listed by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Part 2, Jerusalem 1940, Baghdad). The collection contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
This collection is composed of 115 books and booklets and 36 printed calendars. 77 of the items are listed in the Ya'ari records and 19 books from this collection do not appear in the Ya'ari listing. The collection also contains 14 Baghdad books which were printed in Livorno, some with fake title pages (with Baghdad inscribed on them).
A detailed list is available upon request.
Although Baghdad was one of the most important ancient Jewish communities in the East, it did not have its own printing press until the mid-19th century. In the 18th century, Baghdad residents would send their books to Constantinople or to Livorno for printing. The first Hebrew printing press was established in 1866 by Rachamim ben Reuven ben Mordechai and the first book printed in letterpress printing was Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital (only a few lithographs were printed prior to that). After a respite of several years, Hebrew printing was reintroduced by R. Shlomo Bechor Chutzin, a Baghdad rabbi, Torah scholar and leader who later passed on the press to his son R. Yehoshua Bechor Chutzin. In 1904, a new printing press was established in Baghdad by R. Ezra Reuven Dangur who was rabbi and posek in Yangon (Rangoon) Burma and in 1923, he was appointed Chacham Bashi of Baghdad. During the British mandate, two more Hebrew printing presses were founded: the "al Wataniya Yisraeliya" and the printing press of Elisha Shochet. This collection aptly represents all the printing presses, from the first books printed in Baghdad including the very first book, Shivchei Rabbi Chaim Vital, until the printings during the British mandate. The collection also contains many calendars of various publishers. Some books have dedications or ownership inscriptions (most related to the Sassoon family) and some have title pages printed in gold ink or printed dedication leaves.
115 books and booklets, 36 calendars. Size and condition vary.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $10,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Large varied collection of printed matter, books and booklets and calendars printed in Bombay, India, encompassing an entire century, from the beginning of Hebrew printings in Bombay in 1840, until the mid-20th century. Hebrew, Judeo-Arabic and Marathi.
A collection of such a large scope is rare. It is composed of more than 120 items: books, booklets, single leaves and calendars.
The collection presents the history of the Hebrew printing in Bombay, from the beginning in 1840, and contains almost half the books printed in Bombay and dozens of calendars printed there. It contains a variety of books printed for the Bene Israel community of Bombay and of its Baghdad community. Some are printed by lithography.
The source of this collection is in the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, which is the primary basis for the bibliography record of Calcutta printings, prepared by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Bombay). The collection contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
The collection is composed of 59 books and pamphlets, 5 leaves and brochures and about 60 calendars in various formats (most are broadsides for hanging), in Hebrew, English and Marathi. Some are illustrated.
Among the items: · Machzor for days of Selichot and hatarat nedarim (annulling vows). Bombay, [1841]. Lithograph. The first Hebrew book printed in Bombay. Ya'ari, no. 90. · Passover Haggadah with Arabic Serach [Targum]. Bombay, [c. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari no. 7. · Chanoch LaNa'ar. Bombay, [c. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 9. · Sefer HaPizmonim. Bombay, [1856]. Lithograph on blue and bluish paper. Ya'ari, no 11. · Serach Ruth. [Bombay, 1859]. The first book printed in a regular printing press (using movable type) in Bombay. Ya'ari no. 15. · "And on your days of joy and festivals" - Lithograph leaf. [c. 1880]. Ya'ari, no. 23. · "Prayer for Jews in Russia", "Prayer for a public fast day… for the distress of our brethren in Russia…". Bombay, [1882]. Ya'ari no. 104. · "Prayer for all to pray together, all those who are wards of the British government". Bombay, [1914]. Ya'ari, no. 83. · Ya'arat HaDvash, Otzar HaShorashim V'Aruch, by Rabbi Yechezkel Ya'akov Rachamim. Bombay, 1890. The entire composition Shemot HaTsaddikim by Rabbi Natan of Breslov appears at the beginning of the book. Ya'ari, no. 64. · Tefillat HaChodesh - The Daily Prayers, siddur according to Sephardi tradition, translated into Marathi. Bombay, 1934 (Ya'ari, no. 142). Elaborate copy, with gilt embossment on the binding: "Rachel, wife of David Ezra…Calcutta". · And more.
The Hebrew printing press in Bombay was established following the development of two Jewish communities in the city: The religious revival of the Jewish Bene Israel community, and the development of the community of Baghdadis led by R. David Sassoon. The books printed in the city can be divided into those printed for Bene Israel and those printed for the Baghdad community. The first four books printed in Bombay during 1841-1853, were printed by Cochin Jews who settled in the city and all were intended for the Bene Israel community. In 1855, the Beit David Society of Baghdad Jews also began to print books. For many years, only the lithograph technique was used in Bombay. However, in 1859, an attempt was made to establish a letterpress printing press by Binyamin Yitzchak Ashkenazi, who used locally-cut or poured movable type to print the book Serach Ruth in the Arabic language, but this is the only letterpress printed book and Bombay remained without a printing press for another 22 years until 1882. From 1882, several printing presses were founded in Bombay, primarily The Bombay Education Society's Press in which both the Bene Israel books and the Baghdadi books were printed (established in 1882), The Anglo-Jewish and Vernacular Press (founded in 1884), the Hebrew and English Press founded by Yechezkel Shem Tov David (founded in 1887) and the printing press of Yehuda David Ashkenazi and his son (founded in 1900).
56 books (in 59 volumes) and 5 single leaves, 61 calendars and 3 cards with prayer timetables. Size and condition vary. Some with damages or lacking leaves. Some have signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
A collection of such a large scope is rare. It is composed of more than 120 items: books, booklets, single leaves and calendars.
The collection presents the history of the Hebrew printing in Bombay, from the beginning in 1840, and contains almost half the books printed in Bombay and dozens of calendars printed there. It contains a variety of books printed for the Bene Israel community of Bombay and of its Baghdad community. Some are printed by lithography.
The source of this collection is in the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, which is the primary basis for the bibliography record of Calcutta printings, prepared by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Bombay). The collection contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
The collection is composed of 59 books and pamphlets, 5 leaves and brochures and about 60 calendars in various formats (most are broadsides for hanging), in Hebrew, English and Marathi. Some are illustrated.
Among the items: · Machzor for days of Selichot and hatarat nedarim (annulling vows). Bombay, [1841]. Lithograph. The first Hebrew book printed in Bombay. Ya'ari, no. 90. · Passover Haggadah with Arabic Serach [Targum]. Bombay, [c. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari no. 7. · Chanoch LaNa'ar. Bombay, [c. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 9. · Sefer HaPizmonim. Bombay, [1856]. Lithograph on blue and bluish paper. Ya'ari, no 11. · Serach Ruth. [Bombay, 1859]. The first book printed in a regular printing press (using movable type) in Bombay. Ya'ari no. 15. · "And on your days of joy and festivals" - Lithograph leaf. [c. 1880]. Ya'ari, no. 23. · "Prayer for Jews in Russia", "Prayer for a public fast day… for the distress of our brethren in Russia…". Bombay, [1882]. Ya'ari no. 104. · "Prayer for all to pray together, all those who are wards of the British government". Bombay, [1914]. Ya'ari, no. 83. · Ya'arat HaDvash, Otzar HaShorashim V'Aruch, by Rabbi Yechezkel Ya'akov Rachamim. Bombay, 1890. The entire composition Shemot HaTsaddikim by Rabbi Natan of Breslov appears at the beginning of the book. Ya'ari, no. 64. · Tefillat HaChodesh - The Daily Prayers, siddur according to Sephardi tradition, translated into Marathi. Bombay, 1934 (Ya'ari, no. 142). Elaborate copy, with gilt embossment on the binding: "Rachel, wife of David Ezra…Calcutta". · And more.
The Hebrew printing press in Bombay was established following the development of two Jewish communities in the city: The religious revival of the Jewish Bene Israel community, and the development of the community of Baghdadis led by R. David Sassoon. The books printed in the city can be divided into those printed for Bene Israel and those printed for the Baghdad community. The first four books printed in Bombay during 1841-1853, were printed by Cochin Jews who settled in the city and all were intended for the Bene Israel community. In 1855, the Beit David Society of Baghdad Jews also began to print books. For many years, only the lithograph technique was used in Bombay. However, in 1859, an attempt was made to establish a letterpress printing press by Binyamin Yitzchak Ashkenazi, who used locally-cut or poured movable type to print the book Serach Ruth in the Arabic language, but this is the only letterpress printed book and Bombay remained without a printing press for another 22 years until 1882. From 1882, several printing presses were founded in Bombay, primarily The Bombay Education Society's Press in which both the Bene Israel books and the Baghdadi books were printed (established in 1882), The Anglo-Jewish and Vernacular Press (founded in 1884), the Hebrew and English Press founded by Yechezkel Shem Tov David (founded in 1887) and the printing press of Yehuda David Ashkenazi and his son (founded in 1900).
56 books (in 59 volumes) and 5 single leaves, 61 calendars and 3 cards with prayer timetables. Size and condition vary. Some with damages or lacking leaves. Some have signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $6,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Large varied collection of books, booklets and various printed matter, printed in Calcutta, India, encompassing an entire century, from the first Hebrew printings in Calcutta in 1840, until the mid-20th century.
A rare wide-ranging collection composed of more than 100 items, including books, notebooks, single leaves and calendars. The collection presents the history of the Hebrew printing in Calcutta beginning in 1840. It contains most of the first books printed in the city during the 1840s (this collection contains 22 of the first 26 books printed in Calcutta by R. Elazar Iraki. No. 1, 3-7, 9-10, 12-17, 19-26 in the Ya'ari list) and about half of the books ever printed in Calcutta. Some are printed by lithography.
The source of this collection is in the library of the renowned collector Rabbi David Sassoon, which is the primary basis for the bibliography record of Calcutta printings, prepared by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Calcutta). This collection also contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
The collection contains over 100 items: books, booklets and pamphlets calendars, single leaves and printed cards. A detailed list is available upon request.
Items for example: · Shir HaShirim, with Targum Yonatan ben Uziel and Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1840]. Ya'ari, no. 1. The first book in lithograph printing in Calcutta. That same year, Sha'arei Kedusha was printed [regular printing] by R. Elazar Iraki. According to Ya'ari, Shir HaShirim was printed before the Iraki printing press was established. Since that time, no other lithograph book was printed in Calcutta until 1871. · Tractate Avot, with Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1844]. Ya'ari, no. 15. Printed on bluish paper. · Raziel HaMalach. Calcutta, [1845]. Ya'ari, no. 17. Printed on bluish paper. · Imrei Shabbat, "to clarify the prohibition of riding the steam engines of the railway on Shabbat…", by R. Chaim Ya'akov HaCohen [Feinstein] "emissary of the city of Safed". Calcutta, [1874]. Ya'ari, no. 29. · Covenin Beit HaKnesset Magen David Tachbatz [regulation of the Magen David synagogue in Judeo-Arabic]. Calcutta, [1894]. Ya'ari, no. 82.· Sefer HaAchlama, interpretation of dreams. Calcutta, 1844. Lithographic printing of a manuscript. Ya'ari, no. 117. · Lithograph leaf, with the piyyut Melech HaMefo'ar B'Rom Hodo…", by "Beit HaKnesset Magen David Tachbatz on Rosh Chodesh Tevet 1924". Printed in honor of R. Eliyahu Moshe Dweck HaKohen on his fiftieth anniversary serving as rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta. Ya'ari, no. 119. · Lithograph leaf, printed in golden ink, with the piyyut "E-l Rachum Shemecha…". Ya'ari, no. 120. [Calcutta, without note of year]. · Lithograph booklet, Haftarah of Tisha B'Av, with Judeo-Arabic translation, by "Shalom Yehoshua Iraki HaCohen teacher in Calcutta". [Year unknown]. Ya'ari, no. 123. · Chart for teaching the Hebrew Alphabet to children, with the verses of Shema Yisrael, etc. Lithograph. [Calcutta, 1890]. Ya'ari, no. 124. · "Tachel Shana U'Virchoteha" (The year and its blessing shall begin), two lithographs, with the simanim of Rosh Hashana eve. [Calcutta, without year]. Ya'ari, no. 132-133. · "Nice effective prayer to recite before and after kindling Shabbat and festival candles". [Calcutta, without year]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 134. · Prayer booklets for various occasions (in honor of Queen Victoria, upon the coronation of King George, etc.). · Cards with the timetables for prayers in the synagogue. · Large-format wall calendars. · And more.
A Jew of Yemenite origin named R. Elazar Iraki HaCohen was the first to establish a Hebrew printing press in Calcutta. His printing press was founded in 1840 and continued until 1856. The books he printed are exceptionally elegant, even in comparison to Hebrew books printed in Europe, and even more so considering that they were printed in a small printing press in a remote setting. It seems that he himself cast the letters, and indeed the shape of his letters differs from European printings. As a Yemenite, he attempted to print books by Yemenite sages, including halachic books of the Maharitz which were first printed in R. Iraki's printing press, and the poems of Yemenite poets printed in Sefer HaPizmonim. R. Elazar Iraki was not only a craftsman; he was also a Torah scholar who edited, proofread and corrected the works which he printed. Among other works, he translated the Passover Haggadah which he printed and added 22 of his piyyutim to Sefer HaPizmonim. For his printing device which appears on his books, he designed priestly hands with the name Iraki or "Iraki Katz" (Cohen Tzedek). Iraki ceased printing in 1856, lacking sufficient demand for his books. Most of the books printed by Iraki are present in this collection.
The craft of Hebrew printing was renewed only in 1871 by the printer Yechezkel ben Saliman Chanin, who printed a total of 10 books (including two books by the Safed emissary Rabbi Chaim Ya'akov HaCohen Feinstein). This collection contains six of the books printed by Chanin.
In 1881, the rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta, R. Eliyahu son of Moshe Dweck HaKohen, established his own printing press. Since he was a Cohen and considered himself the progeny of the first printer Iraki, he designed a printer's device similar to the shape of the priestly hands designed by Iraki. He printed a total of six books. This collection contains four of his books.
In 1888, Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) Tawina of Baghdad established his printing press in Calcutta. R. Shlomo Tawina was an outstanding Torah scholar and before he reached India, he printed books in Baghdad. He printed many books, among them many of his own works. His printing press was the last large press in India and its operations ceased in ca. 1902. Later, only various booklets were printed in Calcutta. This collection contains 27 books printed by Tawina.
Parallel to these established printings, several folk lithographs were printed in Calcutta. As early as 1840, the year of the establishment of the first Hebrew printing press, Isaac ben Jacob of Baghdad printed a lithograph of Shir HaShirim with Targum Yonatan and a Judeo-Arabic translation. After the Iraki printing press was founded, lithographs were unnecessary and were renewed only in 1871. Later, more lithographs were printed throughout the years. This collection contains 11 lithographs.
73 books, booklets and pamphlets, 20 calendars (cardboard cards, booklets and broadside calendars), 8 single leaves (some lithographs, one torn and mostly lacking), 7 cards with timetable for prayers. Total of 108 items. Size and condition varies. Some have damages or lacking leaves. A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
A rare wide-ranging collection composed of more than 100 items, including books, notebooks, single leaves and calendars. The collection presents the history of the Hebrew printing in Calcutta beginning in 1840. It contains most of the first books printed in the city during the 1840s (this collection contains 22 of the first 26 books printed in Calcutta by R. Elazar Iraki. No. 1, 3-7, 9-10, 12-17, 19-26 in the Ya'ari list) and about half of the books ever printed in Calcutta. Some are printed by lithography.
The source of this collection is in the library of the renowned collector Rabbi David Sassoon, which is the primary basis for the bibliography record of Calcutta printings, prepared by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in his book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Calcutta). This collection also contains many items which do not appear in the Ya'ari list.
The collection contains over 100 items: books, booklets and pamphlets calendars, single leaves and printed cards. A detailed list is available upon request.
Items for example: · Shir HaShirim, with Targum Yonatan ben Uziel and Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1840]. Ya'ari, no. 1. The first book in lithograph printing in Calcutta. That same year, Sha'arei Kedusha was printed [regular printing] by R. Elazar Iraki. According to Ya'ari, Shir HaShirim was printed before the Iraki printing press was established. Since that time, no other lithograph book was printed in Calcutta until 1871. · Tractate Avot, with Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1844]. Ya'ari, no. 15. Printed on bluish paper. · Raziel HaMalach. Calcutta, [1845]. Ya'ari, no. 17. Printed on bluish paper. · Imrei Shabbat, "to clarify the prohibition of riding the steam engines of the railway on Shabbat…", by R. Chaim Ya'akov HaCohen [Feinstein] "emissary of the city of Safed". Calcutta, [1874]. Ya'ari, no. 29. · Covenin Beit HaKnesset Magen David Tachbatz [regulation of the Magen David synagogue in Judeo-Arabic]. Calcutta, [1894]. Ya'ari, no. 82.· Sefer HaAchlama, interpretation of dreams. Calcutta, 1844. Lithographic printing of a manuscript. Ya'ari, no. 117. · Lithograph leaf, with the piyyut Melech HaMefo'ar B'Rom Hodo…", by "Beit HaKnesset Magen David Tachbatz on Rosh Chodesh Tevet 1924". Printed in honor of R. Eliyahu Moshe Dweck HaKohen on his fiftieth anniversary serving as rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta. Ya'ari, no. 119. · Lithograph leaf, printed in golden ink, with the piyyut "E-l Rachum Shemecha…". Ya'ari, no. 120. [Calcutta, without note of year]. · Lithograph booklet, Haftarah of Tisha B'Av, with Judeo-Arabic translation, by "Shalom Yehoshua Iraki HaCohen teacher in Calcutta". [Year unknown]. Ya'ari, no. 123. · Chart for teaching the Hebrew Alphabet to children, with the verses of Shema Yisrael, etc. Lithograph. [Calcutta, 1890]. Ya'ari, no. 124. · "Tachel Shana U'Virchoteha" (The year and its blessing shall begin), two lithographs, with the simanim of Rosh Hashana eve. [Calcutta, without year]. Ya'ari, no. 132-133. · "Nice effective prayer to recite before and after kindling Shabbat and festival candles". [Calcutta, without year]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 134. · Prayer booklets for various occasions (in honor of Queen Victoria, upon the coronation of King George, etc.). · Cards with the timetables for prayers in the synagogue. · Large-format wall calendars. · And more.
A Jew of Yemenite origin named R. Elazar Iraki HaCohen was the first to establish a Hebrew printing press in Calcutta. His printing press was founded in 1840 and continued until 1856. The books he printed are exceptionally elegant, even in comparison to Hebrew books printed in Europe, and even more so considering that they were printed in a small printing press in a remote setting. It seems that he himself cast the letters, and indeed the shape of his letters differs from European printings. As a Yemenite, he attempted to print books by Yemenite sages, including halachic books of the Maharitz which were first printed in R. Iraki's printing press, and the poems of Yemenite poets printed in Sefer HaPizmonim. R. Elazar Iraki was not only a craftsman; he was also a Torah scholar who edited, proofread and corrected the works which he printed. Among other works, he translated the Passover Haggadah which he printed and added 22 of his piyyutim to Sefer HaPizmonim. For his printing device which appears on his books, he designed priestly hands with the name Iraki or "Iraki Katz" (Cohen Tzedek). Iraki ceased printing in 1856, lacking sufficient demand for his books. Most of the books printed by Iraki are present in this collection.
The craft of Hebrew printing was renewed only in 1871 by the printer Yechezkel ben Saliman Chanin, who printed a total of 10 books (including two books by the Safed emissary Rabbi Chaim Ya'akov HaCohen Feinstein). This collection contains six of the books printed by Chanin.
In 1881, the rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta, R. Eliyahu son of Moshe Dweck HaKohen, established his own printing press. Since he was a Cohen and considered himself the progeny of the first printer Iraki, he designed a printer's device similar to the shape of the priestly hands designed by Iraki. He printed a total of six books. This collection contains four of his books.
In 1888, Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) Tawina of Baghdad established his printing press in Calcutta. R. Shlomo Tawina was an outstanding Torah scholar and before he reached India, he printed books in Baghdad. He printed many books, among them many of his own works. His printing press was the last large press in India and its operations ceased in ca. 1902. Later, only various booklets were printed in Calcutta. This collection contains 27 books printed by Tawina.
Parallel to these established printings, several folk lithographs were printed in Calcutta. As early as 1840, the year of the establishment of the first Hebrew printing press, Isaac ben Jacob of Baghdad printed a lithograph of Shir HaShirim with Targum Yonatan and a Judeo-Arabic translation. After the Iraki printing press was founded, lithographs were unnecessary and were renewed only in 1871. Later, more lithographs were printed throughout the years. This collection contains 11 lithographs.
73 books, booklets and pamphlets, 20 calendars (cardboard cards, booklets and broadside calendars), 8 single leaves (some lithographs, one torn and mostly lacking), 7 cards with timetable for prayers. Total of 108 items. Size and condition varies. Some have damages or lacking leaves. A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Large collection of 39 missives, letters and emissary's letters, from the Sassoon family archives. With signatures of Eretz Israeli rabbis from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection is composed of letters of good wishes and thanks, requests for assistance, letters for emissaries travelling to Bombay, etc. Some leaves are designed and adorned with charming titles and colorful ink. Curly signatures of rabbis from Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberias.
Among the items:
· Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Hebron community. · Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Chabad settlement in Hebron. · Two letters from Tiberias rabbis regarding the emissary Rabbi David Asudri. · Ten letters of consolation from Eretz Israeli rabbis sent in Nissan 1894 to Ms. Farha (Flora) Sassoon upon the death of her husband, R. Solomon David Sassoon. · Three missives from Tiberias rabbis regarding the mission of R. Eliezer Mantzur Sighon in 1897. · Letter from Baghdad rabbis, to Ms. Farha (Flora) Sassoon. 1899. · Letter for the Jerusalem emissary R. Shmuel Meyuchas, to Ms. Farha Sassoon, by Sephardi Jerusalem rabbis. 1900. · Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra, by the Rishon L'Zion R. Ya'akov Shaul Elyashar. · Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra. From the rabbis of the Talmud Torah of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem.· Many more letters.
For further details please see Hebrew description.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Most of the letters in this collection were printed in the book Perakim B'Toldot Yahadut Bavel, by Avraham ben Ya'akov, Jerusalem 1989. A minority were printed in Nachlat Avot - collection of archives of the Sassoon family, Jerusalem 2007, and three have not yet been printed.
39 letters. Size and condition vary (most in good condition).
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
The collection is composed of letters of good wishes and thanks, requests for assistance, letters for emissaries travelling to Bombay, etc. Some leaves are designed and adorned with charming titles and colorful ink. Curly signatures of rabbis from Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberias.
Among the items:
· Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Hebron community. · Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Chabad settlement in Hebron. · Two letters from Tiberias rabbis regarding the emissary Rabbi David Asudri. · Ten letters of consolation from Eretz Israeli rabbis sent in Nissan 1894 to Ms. Farha (Flora) Sassoon upon the death of her husband, R. Solomon David Sassoon. · Three missives from Tiberias rabbis regarding the mission of R. Eliezer Mantzur Sighon in 1897. · Letter from Baghdad rabbis, to Ms. Farha (Flora) Sassoon. 1899. · Letter for the Jerusalem emissary R. Shmuel Meyuchas, to Ms. Farha Sassoon, by Sephardi Jerusalem rabbis. 1900. · Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra, by the Rishon L'Zion R. Ya'akov Shaul Elyashar. · Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra. From the rabbis of the Talmud Torah of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem.· Many more letters.
For further details please see Hebrew description.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Most of the letters in this collection were printed in the book Perakim B'Toldot Yahadut Bavel, by Avraham ben Ya'akov, Jerusalem 1989. A minority were printed in Nachlat Avot - collection of archives of the Sassoon family, Jerusalem 2007, and three have not yet been printed.
39 letters. Size and condition vary (most in good condition).
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Huge collection composed of more than 250 printed booklets, pamphlets, prayer leaves and songbooks for various occasions related to the London Jewish community. Prayers for of events which took place in the English royal family, events in the synagogues and Jewish institutes in England, and more. London, 1846-1979. Hebrew and English.
The collection is divided into four parts:
1. Prayers written for various people or occasions: "Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Cessation of the Cholera", "A Prayer & Thanksgiving for Relief from the Plague Amongst Cattle, and for Protection against the Cholera", "Order of Service in Memory Of the Late... Dr. Hermann Adler", "Order of Service in Memory of… Rt. Hon. Lord Rothschild", "Praise and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Approval by the League of Nations to the British Mandate for Palestine as a national home for the Jewish people.", "Service Of Praise And Thanksgiving …To Commemorate the 500th Anniversary, of the Birth of Don Isaac Abarbanel", and more.
2. Prayers for the royal family: Prayer for "The Princess Of Wales' Safe Delivery Of A Prince", "Prayer and Thanksgiving … at the Jubilee of Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria", "A Special Service on … the Coronation of Their Majesties King George & Queen Mary", "Order of Service … for the Safe Return From India of … King George and Queen Mary", prayer "for the Recovery of His Majesty the King", and more.
3. Prayers for political occasions and for the armed forces: "A Prayer for Her Majesty's Forces In The Soudan", "Praise and Thanksgiving for the Taking of Jerusalem", "Thanksgiving for… Victories Obtained by the British Troops in India", "A Form of Thanksgiving & Prayer for the Signing of the Treaty of Peace", "Prayer and entreaties for the salvation of our armed forces", "Praise and Thanksgiving… for the Restoration of Peace", and more.
4. Prayers for openings of the synagogues and synagogue events: "Order of Service at the Consecration of the New West End Synagogue", "Order of Service at The Laying the Foundation Stone of the Hampstead Synagogue", "Order of Service … at the Installation of the Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Herman Hertz", and more.
Approximately 260 booklets, pamphlets and single leaves. Size and condition vary.
A collection of such a large scope is scarce. It contains an impressive documentation of the history and life of the London Jewish community for over 130 years. Some booklets are not in the National Library of Israel and are not recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
· A number of single booklets from other places are enclosed with the collection: 5 booklets from Jerusalem, Bombay, Amsterdam and South Africa and four booklets from Australia.
Provenance: Sassoon family colection.
The collection is divided into four parts:
1. Prayers written for various people or occasions: "Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Cessation of the Cholera", "A Prayer & Thanksgiving for Relief from the Plague Amongst Cattle, and for Protection against the Cholera", "Order of Service in Memory Of the Late... Dr. Hermann Adler", "Order of Service in Memory of… Rt. Hon. Lord Rothschild", "Praise and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Approval by the League of Nations to the British Mandate for Palestine as a national home for the Jewish people.", "Service Of Praise And Thanksgiving …To Commemorate the 500th Anniversary, of the Birth of Don Isaac Abarbanel", and more.
2. Prayers for the royal family: Prayer for "The Princess Of Wales' Safe Delivery Of A Prince", "Prayer and Thanksgiving … at the Jubilee of Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria", "A Special Service on … the Coronation of Their Majesties King George & Queen Mary", "Order of Service … for the Safe Return From India of … King George and Queen Mary", prayer "for the Recovery of His Majesty the King", and more.
3. Prayers for political occasions and for the armed forces: "A Prayer for Her Majesty's Forces In The Soudan", "Praise and Thanksgiving for the Taking of Jerusalem", "Thanksgiving for… Victories Obtained by the British Troops in India", "A Form of Thanksgiving & Prayer for the Signing of the Treaty of Peace", "Prayer and entreaties for the salvation of our armed forces", "Praise and Thanksgiving… for the Restoration of Peace", and more.
4. Prayers for openings of the synagogues and synagogue events: "Order of Service at the Consecration of the New West End Synagogue", "Order of Service at The Laying the Foundation Stone of the Hampstead Synagogue", "Order of Service … at the Installation of the Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Herman Hertz", and more.
Approximately 260 booklets, pamphlets and single leaves. Size and condition vary.
A collection of such a large scope is scarce. It contains an impressive documentation of the history and life of the London Jewish community for over 130 years. Some booklets are not in the National Library of Israel and are not recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
· A number of single booklets from other places are enclosed with the collection: 5 booklets from Jerusalem, Bombay, Amsterdam and South Africa and four booklets from Australia.
Provenance: Sassoon family colection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,500
Unsold
Seven large photographs of members of the Sassoon family, known as "Rothschilds of the East". The Sassoon family, of Baghdadi descent, held a dominant position in trade between the British Empire and India and the Far East. The family settled in India, and later in England and in Eretz Israel, and gained international renown, in part due to the great wealth they accumulated, used for vast philanthropic activity; and thanks to family member such as the collector David Solomon Sassoon and his mother the scholar Farha (Flora) Sassoon.
Among the photographs are portraits of some of the most famous Sassoon family members. Some of the photographs are in large format and of exceptional quality, and part are framed in exquisite frames.
1. Photographs of Aziza Sassoon (1839-1897) - daughter of Sir Abdullah-Meir (Albert), son of David Sassoon; wife of Yehezkel (Ezekiel), son Yehushua Gubbay; mother of Farha (Flora) Sassoon. Approximately 28X23 cm. Framed in an elaborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
2. Photograph of Solomon David Sassoon (1841-1894) with his wife Farha (Flora) and their daughter, Lady Rachel (Ezra). Stamped: P. Vuccino - photo-studio in Bombay. Approx. 28X23 cm. Framed in an elaborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
3. Large photograph of Farha (Flora) Sassoon née Gubbay, wife of Solomon David Sassoon. Born in Bombay in 1856 and passed away in London in 1936. Signed in monogram and dated, May 1900. 54.5X61 cm. No frame. Defects and tears at margins.
4. Photograph of Lady Rachel Ezra (from childhood), daughter of Solomon David Sassoon, wife of Sir David Ezra (born in Bombay in 1877 and passed away in England in 1952). Signed: P. Vuccino & Co. - photo-studio in Bombay. Approx. 28X23 cm. Eleborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
5. Photograph of Lady Rachel Ezra (see above, no. 4). Stamp of a photographer from Culcutta. Approx. 23X15 cm. Framed.
6. Photograph of Baronet Philip Sassoon (1888-1939) as a child with his mother, Aline Caroline de Rothschild (1865-1909) wife of Baronet Edward Sassoon [son of Abdullah (Albert) David Sassoon]. Approx. 47X35 cm. Framed.
7. Photograph of Mazal Tov - daughter of Farha (Flora) Sassoon, wife of Solomon David Sassoon, sister of David Solomon Sassoon (Born in Bombay in 1884, died in London, at a young age, in 1921). Mounted on cardboard of "Photo Studio Lala Deen Dayal & Sons" in Bombay. 28.5X23.5 cm. Framed.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Among the photographs are portraits of some of the most famous Sassoon family members. Some of the photographs are in large format and of exceptional quality, and part are framed in exquisite frames.
1. Photographs of Aziza Sassoon (1839-1897) - daughter of Sir Abdullah-Meir (Albert), son of David Sassoon; wife of Yehezkel (Ezekiel), son Yehushua Gubbay; mother of Farha (Flora) Sassoon. Approximately 28X23 cm. Framed in an elaborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
2. Photograph of Solomon David Sassoon (1841-1894) with his wife Farha (Flora) and their daughter, Lady Rachel (Ezra). Stamped: P. Vuccino - photo-studio in Bombay. Approx. 28X23 cm. Framed in an elaborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
3. Large photograph of Farha (Flora) Sassoon née Gubbay, wife of Solomon David Sassoon. Born in Bombay in 1856 and passed away in London in 1936. Signed in monogram and dated, May 1900. 54.5X61 cm. No frame. Defects and tears at margins.
4. Photograph of Lady Rachel Ezra (from childhood), daughter of Solomon David Sassoon, wife of Sir David Ezra (born in Bombay in 1877 and passed away in England in 1952). Signed: P. Vuccino & Co. - photo-studio in Bombay. Approx. 28X23 cm. Eleborate gilded frame and an additional frame.
5. Photograph of Lady Rachel Ezra (see above, no. 4). Stamp of a photographer from Culcutta. Approx. 23X15 cm. Framed.
6. Photograph of Baronet Philip Sassoon (1888-1939) as a child with his mother, Aline Caroline de Rothschild (1865-1909) wife of Baronet Edward Sassoon [son of Abdullah (Albert) David Sassoon]. Approx. 47X35 cm. Framed.
7. Photograph of Mazal Tov - daughter of Farha (Flora) Sassoon, wife of Solomon David Sassoon, sister of David Solomon Sassoon (Born in Bombay in 1884, died in London, at a young age, in 1921). Mounted on cardboard of "Photo Studio Lala Deen Dayal & Sons" in Bombay. 28.5X23.5 cm. Framed.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Collection comprising approximately 320 "Shanah Tovah" greeting cards. Various publishers, locations and printing dates, [late 19th century through 1950s].
A comprehensive collection of "Shanah Tovah" cards and postcards in different formats. Many postcards were sent to the Sassoon family members, and bear greetings written by hand.
Among the cards: several rare postcards printed in Jerusalem in the late 19th century and early 20th century, postcards combined with scraps and pop-up cards, three greeting cards printed on a transparency, and more. Some of the postcards appear in several copies.
Size and condition vary.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
A comprehensive collection of "Shanah Tovah" cards and postcards in different formats. Many postcards were sent to the Sassoon family members, and bear greetings written by hand.
Among the cards: several rare postcards printed in Jerusalem in the late 19th century and early 20th century, postcards combined with scraps and pop-up cards, three greeting cards printed on a transparency, and more. Some of the postcards appear in several copies.
Size and condition vary.
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Extensive collection of photographs and documents which record the life of the Jewish congregation in China; most of them are from Tianjin and Harbin, from the 1920s-30s. Russian; some German, English, Chinese and Hebrew.
Interesting collection which includes group photographs, some in large format, of members of various Jewish organizations and institutes (Culture club "Kunst", synagogue in Tianjin, "Maccabi" movement and more) as well as personal documents of Jews, residents of China.
1. Photographs and documents from Tianjin:
· 23 photographs, among them: two group photographs - Purim festivities in the city, 1920-1922; Group photograph of young boys, pupils in a Tianjin school, after a sports competition; Group photographs of teachers and pupils in the Jewish school in Tianjin, 1931-1939 (one photograph was taken on the stage of the Jewish club "Kunst", during a play for Purim); photographs of "Kunst" club members (group photograph from 1935, portrait photograph of one of the board's members, group photograph of the club board members from 1937 - a photo montage incorporating portraits and illustrations); a group photograph from the day of the Tianjin Synagogue inauguration, 1938 (two copies); a group photograph depicting the opening of a Jewish hospital in the city; photographs of "Financial & Building Committees of T.H.A. Synagogue" [1940], (two copies), and more.
· Printed leaf with drawing of the synagogue in Tianjin - signed: J.J. Levitin Architect".
· Seal of the Tianjin Jewish congregation - Star of David surrounded by the inscription "The Tientsin Hebrew Association".
· Two printed Ketubot (published by "H. Jacobson M. Goldberg Warsaw") with details filled out by hand, for wedding ceremonies held in Tianjin in 1929-1930.
2. Photographs and Documents from Harbin:
· Certificates and personal documents of Wolf Dubinsky from Harbin. Printed documents (with additions and signatures by hand) on behalf of the German "Red Cross" in Siberia, written in German. 1920-1921; and other documents.
· Collection of photographs and personal documents of Leopold Brunschtein, commander of the cavalry in the Russian Army, a groom, director and guide in the Harbin riding club, considered the most senior expert in the field of riding and taking care of horses in Harbin and in the Far East in general. Among the items: photographs on horseback, certificate of authorization from the years 1945-1950 which served him, most possibly, in his attempts to find work after his immigration to Israel; several documents in Chinese.
· Large portrait-photograph of Rabbi Aharon Moshe Kisilov (1866-1949), a Lyubavitsh Hassid and disciple of the "Gadol of Minsk" and Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik; chief rabbi of Harbin and Jewish congregations in the Far East.
· Large group photograph portraying, among others, Rabbi Kisilov.
· Four certificates granted to a competitor in various sports competitions in Harbin, 1924-1927. Three of them are from "Maccabi" movement. Fine printed certificates, in large format, with details filled out in handwriting (Russian).
· Fifty embroidered cloth-badges of "Maccabi".
3. Additional Documents and Photographs from China:
· Photographs from Shanghai (group photographs of the Jewish Hospital in the city. Doctors and nurses in the hospital, "Bnei Brit" organization, and more). · Certificate of Residence on behalf of Tianjin municipality. · Two large group photographs - students and committee members of Skidelsky "Talmud Torah". · Notebook for registering marriage of Jewish couples in Tianjin, with handwritten inscriptions (Russian) from the years 1922-1938, and a notebook for registration of people who converted, with records from the years 1935-1951.· and more.
Lot of approx. 200 items, including about 85 photographs. Size and condition vary. Condition fair to good. Tears to some of the items (some tears are rough), dampstains and other damages.
Interesting collection which includes group photographs, some in large format, of members of various Jewish organizations and institutes (Culture club "Kunst", synagogue in Tianjin, "Maccabi" movement and more) as well as personal documents of Jews, residents of China.
1. Photographs and documents from Tianjin:
· 23 photographs, among them: two group photographs - Purim festivities in the city, 1920-1922; Group photograph of young boys, pupils in a Tianjin school, after a sports competition; Group photographs of teachers and pupils in the Jewish school in Tianjin, 1931-1939 (one photograph was taken on the stage of the Jewish club "Kunst", during a play for Purim); photographs of "Kunst" club members (group photograph from 1935, portrait photograph of one of the board's members, group photograph of the club board members from 1937 - a photo montage incorporating portraits and illustrations); a group photograph from the day of the Tianjin Synagogue inauguration, 1938 (two copies); a group photograph depicting the opening of a Jewish hospital in the city; photographs of "Financial & Building Committees of T.H.A. Synagogue" [1940], (two copies), and more.
· Printed leaf with drawing of the synagogue in Tianjin - signed: J.J. Levitin Architect".
· Seal of the Tianjin Jewish congregation - Star of David surrounded by the inscription "The Tientsin Hebrew Association".
· Two printed Ketubot (published by "H. Jacobson M. Goldberg Warsaw") with details filled out by hand, for wedding ceremonies held in Tianjin in 1929-1930.
2. Photographs and Documents from Harbin:
· Certificates and personal documents of Wolf Dubinsky from Harbin. Printed documents (with additions and signatures by hand) on behalf of the German "Red Cross" in Siberia, written in German. 1920-1921; and other documents.
· Collection of photographs and personal documents of Leopold Brunschtein, commander of the cavalry in the Russian Army, a groom, director and guide in the Harbin riding club, considered the most senior expert in the field of riding and taking care of horses in Harbin and in the Far East in general. Among the items: photographs on horseback, certificate of authorization from the years 1945-1950 which served him, most possibly, in his attempts to find work after his immigration to Israel; several documents in Chinese.
· Large portrait-photograph of Rabbi Aharon Moshe Kisilov (1866-1949), a Lyubavitsh Hassid and disciple of the "Gadol of Minsk" and Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik; chief rabbi of Harbin and Jewish congregations in the Far East.
· Large group photograph portraying, among others, Rabbi Kisilov.
· Four certificates granted to a competitor in various sports competitions in Harbin, 1924-1927. Three of them are from "Maccabi" movement. Fine printed certificates, in large format, with details filled out in handwriting (Russian).
· Fifty embroidered cloth-badges of "Maccabi".
3. Additional Documents and Photographs from China:
· Photographs from Shanghai (group photographs of the Jewish Hospital in the city. Doctors and nurses in the hospital, "Bnei Brit" organization, and more). · Certificate of Residence on behalf of Tianjin municipality. · Two large group photographs - students and committee members of Skidelsky "Talmud Torah". · Notebook for registering marriage of Jewish couples in Tianjin, with handwritten inscriptions (Russian) from the years 1922-1938, and a notebook for registration of people who converted, with records from the years 1935-1951.· and more.
Lot of approx. 200 items, including about 85 photographs. Size and condition vary. Condition fair to good. Tears to some of the items (some tears are rough), dampstains and other damages.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
A letter addressed to Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) with his signature. [Jaffa or Egypt, late 18th century (probably, August 1799)]. Arabic and French.
Addressed to: "Au Général en Chef Bonaparte", from Jacob Petro. Signed by Napoleon: "Bonaparte".
On the right side of the leaf appears the text in Arabic, and on the left side - in French.
In the letter, Jacob Petro presents his personal story: he was born in Jerusalem, was robbed in Jaffa and was totally impoverished. He claims that he was abused by the French authorities in Jaffa who refused to pay him for a large quantity of rice which was robbed, and he pleads with Napoleon to assist him, so that he could pay his suppliers.
It is possible that the letter was sent to Napoleon during his campaign in Eretz Israel or in Egypt.
[1] leaf, 33 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Some tears at margins. Stains.
Addressed to: "Au Général en Chef Bonaparte", from Jacob Petro. Signed by Napoleon: "Bonaparte".
On the right side of the leaf appears the text in Arabic, and on the left side - in French.
In the letter, Jacob Petro presents his personal story: he was born in Jerusalem, was robbed in Jaffa and was totally impoverished. He claims that he was abused by the French authorities in Jaffa who refused to pay him for a large quantity of rice which was robbed, and he pleads with Napoleon to assist him, so that he could pay his suppliers.
It is possible that the letter was sent to Napoleon during his campaign in Eretz Israel or in Egypt.
[1] leaf, 33 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Some tears at margins. Stains.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $4,000
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Eleven privileges (documents regulating the legal status of Jews) granted to Jews of Mantua through the 17th century and early 18th century. Mantua, 1603-1713. Italian and some Hebrew.
Eleven handwritten pamphlets; privileges granted to Jews by the rulers and dukes of Mantua. The pamphlets are signed and some are even accompanied by handwritten comments and commentaries in Hebrew, written not long before their publication, most probably by one of Mantua's Jews.
The pamphlets include privileges granted to the Jews of Mantua in the course of more than one hundred years. Among other subjects, mentioned are professions of Jews, housing, settling disputes between Jews and non-Jews, juristic authorities, synagogues, carrying weapons and other subjects which shed light on the life of Jews in Mantua and their relationships with the rulers.
It is possible that these privileges were granted by all of Mantua's rulers during the mentioned period: seven dukes from the House of Gonzaga, Duchess Maria Gonzaga (1609 -1660) and the first ruler of Mantua of the Hapsburg Empire - Victor Amadeus II (1666-1732).
Privileges were common in the late Middle Ages in Europe, and served as a model for regulating the status of minorities. The Jews of Mantua were permitted at first to be involved in banking and money lending only, and their existence was anchored in an economic contract with the authorities. When the congregation grew, other Jewish professionals joined, and the contract between the Jews and the Duchy of Mantua was changed gradually. In spite of the many changes that occurred in the town, the worsening of the general attitude towards Jews and the changing political needs, the rulers respected the privileges and renewed them.
Total of [185] pp. Leaves in various sizes, most of them approximately 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains, creases and tears to margins of leaves. Perforations to a small number of leaves, with minimal damages or no damages to text. Paper labels are glued at the end of some of the pamphlets (some labels are incomplete or torn).
For additional information see: "History of Jews in the Duchy of Mantua" (Hebrew), Shlomo Simonsohn. Published by Tel-Aviv University and Ben Zvi Institute, Jerusalem, 1963, first volume, pp. 72-110.
Eleven handwritten pamphlets; privileges granted to Jews by the rulers and dukes of Mantua. The pamphlets are signed and some are even accompanied by handwritten comments and commentaries in Hebrew, written not long before their publication, most probably by one of Mantua's Jews.
The pamphlets include privileges granted to the Jews of Mantua in the course of more than one hundred years. Among other subjects, mentioned are professions of Jews, housing, settling disputes between Jews and non-Jews, juristic authorities, synagogues, carrying weapons and other subjects which shed light on the life of Jews in Mantua and their relationships with the rulers.
It is possible that these privileges were granted by all of Mantua's rulers during the mentioned period: seven dukes from the House of Gonzaga, Duchess Maria Gonzaga (1609 -1660) and the first ruler of Mantua of the Hapsburg Empire - Victor Amadeus II (1666-1732).
Privileges were common in the late Middle Ages in Europe, and served as a model for regulating the status of minorities. The Jews of Mantua were permitted at first to be involved in banking and money lending only, and their existence was anchored in an economic contract with the authorities. When the congregation grew, other Jewish professionals joined, and the contract between the Jews and the Duchy of Mantua was changed gradually. In spite of the many changes that occurred in the town, the worsening of the general attitude towards Jews and the changing political needs, the rulers respected the privileges and renewed them.
Total of [185] pp. Leaves in various sizes, most of them approximately 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains, creases and tears to margins of leaves. Perforations to a small number of leaves, with minimal damages or no damages to text. Paper labels are glued at the end of some of the pamphlets (some labels are incomplete or torn).
For additional information see: "History of Jews in the Duchy of Mantua" (Hebrew), Shlomo Simonsohn. Published by Tel-Aviv University and Ben Zvi Institute, Jerusalem, 1963, first volume, pp. 72-110.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $20,000
Unsold
Four monumental photograph albums - travels through Egypt, Eretz Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland and Germany in 1894.
Pasted on the albums leaves are 479 photographs, documenting the journey in chronological order. The owner of the album added large decorated titles to most of the leaves, as well as quotes from the Scriptures and the New Testament (relevant to the photographed sites), quotes of poems and handsome large colorful (watercolor) illustrations. Usually, the illustrations are a direct continuation of the subjects in the photographs: Oriental characters, flowers, birds, landscapes, etc.
Approximately half the photographs in the album (235) are small "private" photographs, photographed by the owners of the albums and the others (244) are large photographs, mostly taken by well-known photographers such as the Turkish photographer J. P. Sébah (1838-1890), the French photographer Félix Bonfils (1831-1885), the Greek photographers Adelphi and Constantine Zangaki, (who were active in the 1870s-1890s) and the French photographer Rubellin (active since 1860, owner of a studio in Istanbul; later signed "Rubellin et fils" Rubellin and his son); most of these photographs are signed and captioned in the negative.
The albums in which the photographs are arranged are particularly large (height: 31 cm. width: 45 cm. thickness: 6-10 cm.) and are bound to look like books: wide leather bindings, leather corners and gilt impressions. Thick cardboard leaves, gilt-edges. Apparently, the four albums were created especially for their owner by a binder from Liverpool. The title (the country or area of travel; see below), the year 1894 and the initials RMI are embossed in gilt letters on the front cover of each album.
The first album is titled Egypt and the Nile and its binding is green. Written on the first page of the album is "The Start", and it is composed of photographs of Gibraltar, Port Said, the Suez Canal, the Nile valley and Cairo, hotels in Egypt, pyramids, the Sphinx, mosques, camel-riding in the Sahara Desert, the Giza Museum and some of its exhibits (Sphinxes, mummies etc.), Thebes, Medinet Habu (the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III), and more. 77 large photographs and 73 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. Four photographs are enclosed.
The second album is titled Southern Palestine and its binding is red. It includes photographs of the market in Jaffa, a view from the house of Simon the Tanner of Jaffa, a view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus, the Temple Mount (the Dome of the Rock is in the process of renovations), the Even HaShetiya (Foundation Stone), the Pool of Bethesda, Antonia Fortress, the Damascus Gate, Golgotha Hill, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jaffa Gate, the road to Bethlehem, the Tower of David, the Armenian Church, the entrance to the room of the Last Supper, Robinson's Arch, the Western Wall, the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), the Shiloach Pool, the Mount of Olives, the Valley of Yehoshafat (Kidron Valley), the Moabite mountains and the Dead Sea (view from the Mount of Olives), Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem, The Church of the Nativity, Solomon's Pools, Hebron, the Oak of Abraham (Oak of Mamre), "the Good Samaritan" site, Jordan Valley and Jericho, Mar Elias Monastery, the Jordan River, Shilo, Mount Ebal, Nablus, Sebastia, Dotan Valley, Mount Carmel, Druze at supper, Atlit fort, and more. 54 large photographs and 46 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. 18 photographs are enclosed.
The third album is titled Northern Palestine and its binding is red. It is a continuation of the previous album and is composed of photographs of the Carmel, Haifa, Atlit, Nazareth, the Gilboa, Church of the Son of the Widow at Nein, Tiberias, Migdal, Capernaum, Khan Jubb Youssef, the sources of the Jordan River and the Dan Springs, Nimrod Fortress, Temple of Pan at Banias, Hasbaya (South Lebanon), Mount Hermon, sites in Damascus: The Great Mosque, the Barada River, ancient gates and walls of the city, pilgrims to Mecca, the British Consul (Sir Harry Eyres?), Baalbek (Temple of Jupiter, Temple of Bacchus, Temple of Venus), travel by carriage to Beirut, ruins, Sidon, Tyre, Hiram's tomb, Safed, Dr. Anderson (founder of the Missionary Hospital, Beit Bussel), Beaufort Castle, group photograph of American missionaries (a leaf with a list of the people in the photograph is enclosed), Beirut, and more. 44 large photographs and 61 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. Five photographs are enclosed.
The fourth album is titled Ephesus, Greece, Constantinople and Switzerland and its binding is blue. It is composed of photographs of Ephesus, Acropolis, Temple of Jupiter, the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike and other temples, an ancient theater, stone reliefs, marble statues, Eleusis, Akrokorinthos, Epidaurus Theater, ruins of an earthquake near Athens, sites in Istanbul: Galata Bridge, Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Obelisk of Thutmosis III; The Bosphorus Straits, the entrance to the Black Sea, Bulgaria, the Danube River in Belgrade, the Rhine River in Basel, Schlangenbad, Germany, Wiesbaden, Homburg, Appenzell , Switzerland, a photograph of Dr. Raphael Pumpelly (1837-1923, American geologist and researcher), Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Bern, and more. 69 large photographs and 46 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. At the end are nine blank leaves.
Although the names of the albums' owners are not explicitly mentioned, apparently the albums belonged to Rennie & Janet MacInnes [as evident from the initials RMI and JMI that are embossed on the album bindings, and that appear next to the photograph of the couple at the end of the first album, and from the enclosed calling card with the following printed inscription: "Mrs. R. Mac Innes, M.B. / St. George's Close, Jerusalem"]. Rennie MacInnes was born in Hampstead, England in 1870. His father, Miles, was a landowner, manager of railroads and a liberal party politician. In 1896, MacInnes was ordained as Bishop, and after four years of serving as a minister in the St. Matthew's Church in Bayswater, London, he spent most of his years as Bishop in the Middle East, Cairo Egypt and North Sudan. During 18 years, beginning in 1914 until his death in 1931, MacInnes served as bishop of Jerusalem, in several churches, including the St. George Cathedral (mentioned in Mrs. MacInnes's calling card). On March 26, 1921, the American Colony photographers documented MacInnes together with Winston Churchill at a memorial ceremony held in the military cemetery on Mount Scopus. No details are known of his wife, Janet, except that she was born Janet Waldergrave Carr and that they were married in 1896. One of their sons, Campbell MacInnes, followed his father's footsteps and served for decades as Deputy Bishop of Palestine, Syria and in Transjordan and afterward, as Archbishop of Jerusalem.
Total of 479 photographs. The photographs called "large" are an average 21X28 cm. (varying); the photographs called "small" are 10X7.5 cm. Four albums: 31X45 cm. Good overall condition. Because of their heavy weight, most of the album leaves are detached from the binding and are loose. Several leaves have minor tears or breaks to corners and margins, generally with no damage to photographs.
Pasted on the albums leaves are 479 photographs, documenting the journey in chronological order. The owner of the album added large decorated titles to most of the leaves, as well as quotes from the Scriptures and the New Testament (relevant to the photographed sites), quotes of poems and handsome large colorful (watercolor) illustrations. Usually, the illustrations are a direct continuation of the subjects in the photographs: Oriental characters, flowers, birds, landscapes, etc.
Approximately half the photographs in the album (235) are small "private" photographs, photographed by the owners of the albums and the others (244) are large photographs, mostly taken by well-known photographers such as the Turkish photographer J. P. Sébah (1838-1890), the French photographer Félix Bonfils (1831-1885), the Greek photographers Adelphi and Constantine Zangaki, (who were active in the 1870s-1890s) and the French photographer Rubellin (active since 1860, owner of a studio in Istanbul; later signed "Rubellin et fils" Rubellin and his son); most of these photographs are signed and captioned in the negative.
The albums in which the photographs are arranged are particularly large (height: 31 cm. width: 45 cm. thickness: 6-10 cm.) and are bound to look like books: wide leather bindings, leather corners and gilt impressions. Thick cardboard leaves, gilt-edges. Apparently, the four albums were created especially for their owner by a binder from Liverpool. The title (the country or area of travel; see below), the year 1894 and the initials RMI are embossed in gilt letters on the front cover of each album.
The first album is titled Egypt and the Nile and its binding is green. Written on the first page of the album is "The Start", and it is composed of photographs of Gibraltar, Port Said, the Suez Canal, the Nile valley and Cairo, hotels in Egypt, pyramids, the Sphinx, mosques, camel-riding in the Sahara Desert, the Giza Museum and some of its exhibits (Sphinxes, mummies etc.), Thebes, Medinet Habu (the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III), and more. 77 large photographs and 73 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. Four photographs are enclosed.
The second album is titled Southern Palestine and its binding is red. It includes photographs of the market in Jaffa, a view from the house of Simon the Tanner of Jaffa, a view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus, the Temple Mount (the Dome of the Rock is in the process of renovations), the Even HaShetiya (Foundation Stone), the Pool of Bethesda, Antonia Fortress, the Damascus Gate, Golgotha Hill, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jaffa Gate, the road to Bethlehem, the Tower of David, the Armenian Church, the entrance to the room of the Last Supper, Robinson's Arch, the Western Wall, the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), the Shiloach Pool, the Mount of Olives, the Valley of Yehoshafat (Kidron Valley), the Moabite mountains and the Dead Sea (view from the Mount of Olives), Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem, The Church of the Nativity, Solomon's Pools, Hebron, the Oak of Abraham (Oak of Mamre), "the Good Samaritan" site, Jordan Valley and Jericho, Mar Elias Monastery, the Jordan River, Shilo, Mount Ebal, Nablus, Sebastia, Dotan Valley, Mount Carmel, Druze at supper, Atlit fort, and more. 54 large photographs and 46 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. 18 photographs are enclosed.
The third album is titled Northern Palestine and its binding is red. It is a continuation of the previous album and is composed of photographs of the Carmel, Haifa, Atlit, Nazareth, the Gilboa, Church of the Son of the Widow at Nein, Tiberias, Migdal, Capernaum, Khan Jubb Youssef, the sources of the Jordan River and the Dan Springs, Nimrod Fortress, Temple of Pan at Banias, Hasbaya (South Lebanon), Mount Hermon, sites in Damascus: The Great Mosque, the Barada River, ancient gates and walls of the city, pilgrims to Mecca, the British Consul (Sir Harry Eyres?), Baalbek (Temple of Jupiter, Temple of Bacchus, Temple of Venus), travel by carriage to Beirut, ruins, Sidon, Tyre, Hiram's tomb, Safed, Dr. Anderson (founder of the Missionary Hospital, Beit Bussel), Beaufort Castle, group photograph of American missionaries (a leaf with a list of the people in the photograph is enclosed), Beirut, and more. 44 large photographs and 61 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. Five photographs are enclosed.
The fourth album is titled Ephesus, Greece, Constantinople and Switzerland and its binding is blue. It is composed of photographs of Ephesus, Acropolis, Temple of Jupiter, the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike and other temples, an ancient theater, stone reliefs, marble statues, Eleusis, Akrokorinthos, Epidaurus Theater, ruins of an earthquake near Athens, sites in Istanbul: Galata Bridge, Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Obelisk of Thutmosis III; The Bosphorus Straits, the entrance to the Black Sea, Bulgaria, the Danube River in Belgrade, the Rhine River in Basel, Schlangenbad, Germany, Wiesbaden, Homburg, Appenzell , Switzerland, a photograph of Dr. Raphael Pumpelly (1837-1923, American geologist and researcher), Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Bern, and more. 69 large photographs and 46 small photographs are mounted on the album leaves. At the end are nine blank leaves.
Although the names of the albums' owners are not explicitly mentioned, apparently the albums belonged to Rennie & Janet MacInnes [as evident from the initials RMI and JMI that are embossed on the album bindings, and that appear next to the photograph of the couple at the end of the first album, and from the enclosed calling card with the following printed inscription: "Mrs. R. Mac Innes, M.B. / St. George's Close, Jerusalem"]. Rennie MacInnes was born in Hampstead, England in 1870. His father, Miles, was a landowner, manager of railroads and a liberal party politician. In 1896, MacInnes was ordained as Bishop, and after four years of serving as a minister in the St. Matthew's Church in Bayswater, London, he spent most of his years as Bishop in the Middle East, Cairo Egypt and North Sudan. During 18 years, beginning in 1914 until his death in 1931, MacInnes served as bishop of Jerusalem, in several churches, including the St. George Cathedral (mentioned in Mrs. MacInnes's calling card). On March 26, 1921, the American Colony photographers documented MacInnes together with Winston Churchill at a memorial ceremony held in the military cemetery on Mount Scopus. No details are known of his wife, Janet, except that she was born Janet Waldergrave Carr and that they were married in 1896. One of their sons, Campbell MacInnes, followed his father's footsteps and served for decades as Deputy Bishop of Palestine, Syria and in Transjordan and afterward, as Archbishop of Jerusalem.
Total of 479 photographs. The photographs called "large" are an average 21X28 cm. (varying); the photographs called "small" are 10X7.5 cm. Four albums: 31X45 cm. Good overall condition. Because of their heavy weight, most of the album leaves are detached from the binding and are loose. Several leaves have minor tears or breaks to corners and margins, generally with no damage to photographs.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
An extensive and impressive collection of approximately 100 albums of pressed flowers. Various publishers, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jordan, London, Washington, New York, and other locations, ca. 1896-1950 (most albums are from the first two decades of the 20th century). Hebrew, French, English, German, Russian, Arabic and Greek.
Albums of pressed flowers appeared in Eretz Israel towards the end of the 19th century and gained fast and outstanding success. The growing tourism to the Near East led to high demand for souvenirs and decorative objects and until the beginning of the twentieth century the albums became popular items and were considered prestigious and authentic. Most albums feature handcrafts and traditional Eretz Israeli crafts, including carving and inlay of olive wood, decorative arrangements of pressed flowers and later on various printing techniques. The collection offered here portrays a varied and unique collection of this long-forgotten craft.
Most of the albums in this collection are bound in carved and inlaid olive wood bindings; in many albums colorful postcards are incorporated, as well as lithographic printings, decorations and verses of poems in stylized script.
Among the items:
· "Pirchei Eretz HaKedosha" [Flowers from the Holy Land], early album by the scholar, geographer and explorer, Abraham Moses Luncz. · "Asufat Perachim mehaMekomot HaKedoshim Beretz HaKodesh" [Flowers from holy places in the Holy Land], album with a colorful lithographic map of Eretz Israel. · "Souvenir to our Benefactors", souvenir album awarded to the Franciscan Commissariat of the Holy Land, published by "Mount St. Sepulchre" in Washington. · 14 albums with colorful lithographs printed by "Monsohn" Jerusalem. · Three albums printed in Jerusalem under Jordanian rule, stamped H.K Jordan (Hashemite Kingdom, Jordan). · Three albums published by American Colony in Jerusalem. · Six albums printed in honor of Allenby arriving in Jerusalem – in Remembrance of the British Army Conqueror of the Holy Land 9th December 1917; two albums are accompanied by photographs of the day the British Army entered Jerusalem.
Numerous albums published by different publishing houses: Leib Kahana; H. N. Shechter; Ferdinand Vester; Daud A. Hallac Bros.; Ephtimios frères; Gabriel et Abrahim Dabdoub; Elias A. Coubrousli; M. Weisman; T. Habesch, The commercial Press; N. De Simini; F. F. Marroum; Ibrahim Atallah / King David Store T. J. Atallah; Atallah Bros.; Australian Soldiers Club; and more.
Size and condition vary. Overall fair-good condition. Stains, creases and some tears. Damages to flower arrangements in some of the albums. Some detached or partly detached bindings. Lacking some tissue-gurads.
Literature:
1. Eliyahu Hacohen: "Ahavat Pirchei HaAretz BaMe'a Sheavrah" [Love of Holy Land Flowers in the Past Century]. Teva Va-Aretz, volume 20, issue 2, 1978.
2. Ami Zehavi, "HaOsher HaYechidi shel HaAretz HaKedosha HaAniya" [The only wealth of the holy poor land]. Et-Mol, Issue 227, 2013.
Albums of pressed flowers appeared in Eretz Israel towards the end of the 19th century and gained fast and outstanding success. The growing tourism to the Near East led to high demand for souvenirs and decorative objects and until the beginning of the twentieth century the albums became popular items and were considered prestigious and authentic. Most albums feature handcrafts and traditional Eretz Israeli crafts, including carving and inlay of olive wood, decorative arrangements of pressed flowers and later on various printing techniques. The collection offered here portrays a varied and unique collection of this long-forgotten craft.
Most of the albums in this collection are bound in carved and inlaid olive wood bindings; in many albums colorful postcards are incorporated, as well as lithographic printings, decorations and verses of poems in stylized script.
Among the items:
· "Pirchei Eretz HaKedosha" [Flowers from the Holy Land], early album by the scholar, geographer and explorer, Abraham Moses Luncz. · "Asufat Perachim mehaMekomot HaKedoshim Beretz HaKodesh" [Flowers from holy places in the Holy Land], album with a colorful lithographic map of Eretz Israel. · "Souvenir to our Benefactors", souvenir album awarded to the Franciscan Commissariat of the Holy Land, published by "Mount St. Sepulchre" in Washington. · 14 albums with colorful lithographs printed by "Monsohn" Jerusalem. · Three albums printed in Jerusalem under Jordanian rule, stamped H.K Jordan (Hashemite Kingdom, Jordan). · Three albums published by American Colony in Jerusalem. · Six albums printed in honor of Allenby arriving in Jerusalem – in Remembrance of the British Army Conqueror of the Holy Land 9th December 1917; two albums are accompanied by photographs of the day the British Army entered Jerusalem.
Numerous albums published by different publishing houses: Leib Kahana; H. N. Shechter; Ferdinand Vester; Daud A. Hallac Bros.; Ephtimios frères; Gabriel et Abrahim Dabdoub; Elias A. Coubrousli; M. Weisman; T. Habesch, The commercial Press; N. De Simini; F. F. Marroum; Ibrahim Atallah / King David Store T. J. Atallah; Atallah Bros.; Australian Soldiers Club; and more.
Size and condition vary. Overall fair-good condition. Stains, creases and some tears. Damages to flower arrangements in some of the albums. Some detached or partly detached bindings. Lacking some tissue-gurads.
Literature:
1. Eliyahu Hacohen: "Ahavat Pirchei HaAretz BaMe'a Sheavrah" [Love of Holy Land Flowers in the Past Century]. Teva Va-Aretz, volume 20, issue 2, 1978.
2. Ami Zehavi, "HaOsher HaYechidi shel HaAretz HaKedosha HaAniya" [The only wealth of the holy poor land]. Et-Mol, Issue 227, 2013.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue