Title page of Responsa Maharshdam, Lviv 1862 edition, with the signature of R. Shlomo Ganzfried, author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.
At the top of the title page, near the book title, signature of R. "Shlomo Ganzfried". The stamp of R. Yechezkel Benet Rabbi of Varal (Szinérváralja, Seini) appears beneath the signature. Several inscriptions at the top of the page.
R. Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), son of R. Yosef (rabbi and posek in Ungvar). From the age of 8, with his father's untimely passing, he was raised by R. Tzvi Hirsh Heller (R. Hirshele Charif), author of Tiv Gittin. R. Ganzfried's first book, Keset HaSofer, on the laws of scribal writing of Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot (Óbuda, 1834), earned the effusive approbation of the Chatam Sofer, who stated that no scribe should be ordained without demonstrating proficiency in this book. The Chatam Sofer even recorded his glosses to this book. R. Ganzfried served as head of the Ungvar Beit Din from 1850, until his passing in 1886. He was a prominent leader of Hungarian Orthodox rabbinate.
He authored dozens of important works; however, he is best known for his Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, a clear summary of the Shulchan Aruch, printed in many editions since its first publishing in 1864 in Ungvar. (Otzar Yisrael, New York, 1909, records that up until that point, half a million copies had already been published, and according to the bibliographer Dr. Yitzchak Rivkind, over a million copies had been published by 1960).
[1] leaf. 34.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, tears affecting title page border and text. Tear from ink erosion to lower edge of signature.

Sod Hashem, with Sharbit HaZahav - order of Brit Milah with laws and commentaries, by R. David of Lida. Vienna, 1837.
Pocket sized, landscape format book. Originally bound with many empty leaves, intended for recording circumcisions. These leaves indeed served as a circumcision ledger, and contain handwritten inscriptions recording some 150 circumcisions performed in 1842-1866, by the mohel who owned this book, in Lessen (present day: Łasin, Poland) and Ortelsburg (present day: Szczytno, Poland). The records include the names of the babies he circumcised, as well as other details.
The owner of the ledger signed his name in several places in German: "Abraham Marcus[?]".
An inscription on the first handwritten leaf states: "The names of the children whom G-d, in His great kindness, granted me the merit of bringing under the wings of the Shechinah through circumcision, from the year 1842, Rosh Chodesh Adar, here in Lessen". Other inscriptions in the ledger state: "Here, Ortelsburg".
65 leaves + [17] handwritten leaves. Height: approx. 9 cm. Width: 12 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original binding, torn and damaged.

Sefer HaTishbi, by R. Eliyahu Bachur, with the Raglei Mevaser commentary, by R. Eliezer son of R. Menachem Shmuel Herstik. Marmaroschsiget (Sighet, Sighetu Marmației), [ca. 1910].
Copy of R. Meir Shapiro of Lublin, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and founder of the Daf HaYomi. The front and back endpapers bear several ownership inscriptions indicating that the book belongs to him, including mention of the various towns where he served as rabbi - Galina, Sanok, Lublin. On the title page, two of his personal stamps: "Meir Shapiro, rabbi and dean of Piotrkow". Stamps of the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin library on the title page and in other places.
This copy also belonged to R. Menachem Manish Gold, whose stamps appear in several places in the book: "Menachem Manish Gold - maggid in Tarnopol". R. Menachem Manish Gold, posek and maggid in Tarnopol, played a part in arranging R. Meir Shapiro's match, when he travelled from Tarnopol to Shotz (Suceava) - R. Meir Shapiro's hometown, to examine him and assess his character, on behalf of his future father-in-law, the wealthy R. Yaakov David Breitman.
This story is retold in great detail in the memoirs of Dr. Mordechai Rosner, a resident of Tarnopol in those days. He first describes how rumors spread of the existence of an exceptional genius - "the Ilui of Shotz", who could defeat with his pilpul leading elder rabbis, such as the Beit Yitzchak of Lviv and the Maharsham of Berezhany. One day, Rosner relates in his memoirs, surprising news spread through Tarnopol - the rebbe would shortly be travelling to Shotz, to examine this young genius. He would be doing this on behalf of the wealthy R. Yaakov Breitman, whose daughter was suggested for this genius. R. Manish Gold, who was a posek and maggid in Tarnopol, was renowned amongst the Torah scholars of Galicia as an outstanding Torah scholar, well-versed in Talmud and Halachic literature, an excellent researcher who studied with great depth. This was R. Menachem Manish's impression of the young R. Meir Shapiro, as he related it to Rosner and his friends, the young yeshiva students in Tarnopol: "What I saw in Shotz… greatly surpasses what I imagined. It did not occur to me that it would be possible to find in our lowly generation, such an exceptionally learned person, entirely devoted to Torah. In the two days and nights I spent in his house, I often felt that I was living in the times of R. Yaakov Pollack, creator of pilpul… fortunate is the eye who witnessed all this…" (Mordechai Rosner, excerpts of memoirs, in: Sefer HaYovel L'Rabbi Meir Shapiro MiLublin, Lodz 1930 - during the lifetime of R. Meir Shapiro, pp. 214-216). This book first belonged to R. Menachem Manish Gold, who later gave it to R. Meir Shapiro, presumably during his stay in Tarnopol, while being supported by his father-in-law.
R. Meir Shapiro (1887-1933), rabbi of Piotrkow and Lublin, dean of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and initiator of the Daf HaYomi, one of the founders of Agudat Yisrael and leading rabbi in his times. He was one of the youngest and most dominant rabbis in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. One of the most renowned figures in recent times. A yeshiva dean, sharp and witty, an outstanding scholar in Halacha and Aggadah. A chassid closely attached to his rebbes. An excellent orator, and extremely accomplished person. An active and dynamic communal worker, a member of the Polish Sejm. Always full of grace, his conduct was regal. R. Meir passed away without leaving any offspring, yet he himself would say that he has two children - the first being the Daf HaYomi, and the second - the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva.
48 pages, 96 leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Remnants of paper glued to title page. Stamps and inscriptions. Old binding, damaged.

Four books printed in Jerusalem, authored by rabbis of the Berdugo family, from the Sassoon family collection. Some include dedications:
• Mei Menuchot, homilies on the Five Books of the Torah, Part I on the books Bereshit-Shemot, by R. Refael Berdugo. Jerusalem, [1900]. Title page printed in black and gold.
• Mayim Amukim, novellae on the Torah, by R. Yehuda Berdugo. Jerusalem, [1911]. A piece of paper is enclosed, handwritten and signed by the publisher, R. Yaakov Chai Berdugo: "Awaiting a speedy salvation, Yaakov Chai Berdugo", with his stamp: "Yaakov Chai Berdugo, publisher of Kenaf Renanim, Mayim Amukim, Kotnot Yosef…".
• Kenaf Renanim, Part I, novellae on the Torah and on the Rashi commentary, by R. Moshe Berdugo. Jerusalem, 1909.
• Second edition of Kenaf Renanim, by R. Moshe Berdugo. Jerusalem, 1931. A printed dedication on verso of title page, completed by hand by the publisher R. Yaakov Chai Berdugo, addressed to "The righteous Rabbanit… Flora Solomon David Sassoon".
• Enclosed: A greeting card for Passover, printed in gold ink, completed by hand by the publisher R. Yaakov Chai Berdugo, addressed to "Rabbanit Mrs. Flora David Sassoon", dated 1932.
Original library labels on the bindings, from the collection of R. Solomon David Sassoon and his wife Flora, née Gubbay. Some bear handwritten inscriptions (by R. Solomon David Sassoon?).
4 volumes. Size and condition vary.

Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, with the Magen Avraham, Turei Zahav, Ateret Zekenim and Be'er HaGolah commentaries. Amsterdam, [1720].
Additional engraved title page.
The book contains dozens of glosses in neat Ashkenazic script (ca. late 18th century. The glosses were recorded after 1779, since the gloss on p. 308b mentions the book Netiv Chaim, published in 1779).
Signature in the same handwriting on the first title page: "Avraham". We were unable to identify the writer, yet the contents of the glosses disclose that they were written by a Torah scholar of great stature. In his glosses, the writer repeatedly challenges and poses difficulties on the teachings of the Magen Avraham and Taz. He also frequently defends the Levush, and resolves difficulties raised by other commentators on his teachings.
Most of the glosses are trimmed.
Signatures on the second title page: "David son of R. Efraim Fishel", "Wolf(?) Wertheim(?)…".
[3], 1-2, 4-200, 202-322 leaves. Lacking 2 leaves: leaf 3 and leaf 201. Several leaves bound out of sequence. 30 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Tears to title pages, affecting ornaments and text. Tears to several other leaves, affecting text with some loss, partially completed by hand. New binding.