Auction 95 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Letters and Manuscripts, Engravings and Jewish Ceremonial Objects
- (-) Remove book filter book
- chassid (54) Apply chassid filter
- and (51) Apply and filter
- print (44) Apply print filter
- centuri (28) Apply centuri filter
- earli (28) Apply earli filter
- th (28) Apply th filter
- prayer (18) Apply prayer filter
- siddurim (18) Apply siddurim filter
- century) (17) Apply century) filter
- (16th (13) Apply (16th filter
- 16 (13) Apply 16 filter
- item (13) Apply item filter
- (17th (11) Apply (17th filter
- 17 (11) Apply 17 filter
- 18 (11) Apply 18 filter
- 18th (11) Apply 18th filter
- centuries) (11) Apply centuries) filter
- in (7) Apply in filter
- kabbalist (7) Apply kabbalist filter
- classic (6) Apply classic filter
- communiti (6) Apply communiti filter
- franc (6) Apply franc filter
- jewish (6) Apply jewish filter
- miscellanea (6) Apply miscellanea filter
- netherland (6) Apply netherland filter
- portug (6) Apply portug filter
- portugal, (6) Apply portugal, filter
- the (6) Apply the filter
- (ear (4) Apply (ear filter
- 19 (4) Apply 19 filter
- 19th (4) Apply 19th filter
- eretz (4) Apply eretz filter
- israel (4) Apply israel filter
- poland (4) Apply poland filter
- russia (4) Apply russia filter
- russia-poland (4) Apply russia-poland filter
- russiapoland (4) Apply russiapoland filter
- polem (3) Apply polem filter
- slavita (3) Apply slavita filter
- zhitomir (3) Apply zhitomir filter
Collection of eulogy books for Belz rebbes:
• Palgei Mayim, eulogy for Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz by R. Eliezer Segal Mishel. Lviv, 1894. Last leaf with corrigenda undocumented in Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
• Kol David, eulogy for Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz by R. David Seller. Lviv, 1894.
• Mishkenot HaRo'im, by R. Yechiel Michel Hibner, Rabbi of Nyzhniv – Part II, eulogies for Galician rabbis and rebbes. Lemberg (Lviv), 1865. First edition. In the middle of the book are bound ten leaves from Shaar Bat Rabim by R. Yechiel Michel Hibner, Lviv, 1876.
• Dovev Siftei Yeshenim, eulogy for Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach of Belz by R. Nachum Etrog, a rabbi of Safed. Jerusalem, 1927.
• Biography of the Rebbe of Belz. [Jerusalem, 1957].
• Issue of Hamodia newspaper from the passing of Rebbe Aharon Rokeach of Belz. Jerusalem, 22 Av, 1957.
5 books and booklets + issue of newspaper. Size and condition Vary.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Seven books from Vizhnitz Chassidut, first editions.
7 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books were not examined thoroughly, and are being sold as is.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Knesset HaGedolah, by R. Chaim Benveniste, collection of editions.
Four volumes from the first edition:
• Knesset HaGedolah, Orach Chaim. Livorno, 1657. Stamp.
6, 164 leaves. 30.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming. A few marginal tears, slightly affecting text. Old binding, damaged.
• Knesset HaGedolah, Yoreh Deah (sections 69-138, 160-177). Constantinople, [1711].
[2], 206 leaves. 40.5 cm. Wide margins. Overall good condition. Stains, including dampstains and ink stains. Marginal tears and open tears, not affecting text, partially repaired with tape. Deleted stamp. Leather-coated wooden binding, damaged.
• Knesset HaGedolah, Yoreh Deah (sections 1-68). Constantinople, [1716]. Stamps and handwritten inscription.
[1], 4-246 leaves. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Small marginal open tear to title page, not affecting text. New binding.
• Knesset HaGedolah, Choshen Mishpat (Mahadura Batra). Izmir, [1734].
Two glosses in Sephardic script.
[2], 394 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, slightly affecting text. A few tears and open tears, slightly affecting text, partially repaired with tape. Close trimming in some places, affecting headings. Deleted stamp. New binding, with worming.
Additional editions:
• Knesset HaGedolah, Choshen Mishpat. Fürth, [1692]. Stamps and ex libris label.
196 leaves. 30.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming to last leaves, slightly affecting text. Several marginal tears, affecting text to last leaf, partially repaired with tape. Old binding, partially damaged and torn.
• Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah, Orach Chaim. Constantinople, [1729]. Stamps.
[2], 143; 7 leaves. 30 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Worming. Several small marginal tears. Inscriptions. Old binding, front side damaged and disconnected.
• Sheyarei Knesset HaGedolah, Yoreh Deah. Thessaloniki, [1757].
[1], 144 leaves. 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and mold stains. Worming, affecting text. Inscriptions and stamps. New binding.
Provenance: Estate of Prof. Ephraim Elimelech Urbach.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Responsa Noda BiYehudah, Mahadura Kama, Parts I and II, by R. Yechezkel HaLevi Segal Landau, Rabbi of Prague. Prague: Moses Katz, under the management of his grandson Israel Jiteles, by R. Zerach Eidelitz, [1776-1777]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime. Two parts in one volume, with divisional title page for Part II.
The book was printed in stages, beginning in Adar 1776 and ending in Tevet 1777.
Many ownership inscriptions to title pages of Part I and of Part II.
[2], 86, [9] leaves; [1], 157 leaves. Approx. 34 cm. Varying condition of leaves; most leaves in good-fair condition, first and last leaves in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Tears, including small open tears to several leaves. Light worming. Inner margins of first leaves and last leaf repaired with paper. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. New leather binding.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Seven books on the Torah and various other matters from Amsterdam presses, 1659-1840.
7 books. Varying size and condition. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Responsa Chatam Sofer, first editions:
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Yoreh Deah, by R. Moshe Sofer. Pressburg, 1841. First edition.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Orach Chaim, Pressburg, 1855. First edition. Variant of first edition. Different copies of this edition are printed with an identical year, but with different pagination and letters on title page.
On title page, signature of R. "Paltiel Shimon HaLevi Landau" (grandson of the Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk).
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Even HaEzer, Parts I and II. Pressburg, 1858-1859. First edition. Two volumes.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat. Vienna, [1862]. First edition.
• Responsa Chatam Sofer, Part VI. Vienna, 1864. First edition.
6 volumes. Varying size. Overall good condition. Inscriptions and stamps. New bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Eight books by R. Yaakov Ettlinger of Altona, the Aruch LaNer, mostly first editions:
• Aruch LaNer on tractate Yevamot. Altona, [1850]. First edition. Stamps of R. Eliyahu Romm, a Jerusalem rabbi. Open tears to title page.
• Aruch LaNer, on tractates Makkot and Kereitot. Altona, [1855]. First edition.
• Itur Bikurim – Aruch LaNer on tractate Sukkah. Altona, [1858]. First edition.
Ownership inscription on endpaper by "Pinchas son of R. Mordechai Michael Kohen" [R. Pinchas Kohen (1867-1942), rabbi of the Mannheim Kloiz and Rabbi of the Ansbach region].
• Bikurei Yaakov, on laws of Sukkah and Lulav. Altona, [1858]. Second edition, with Tosefet Bikurim.
• Aruch LaNer on tractate Niddah. Altona, [1864]. First edition.
• Binyan Tzion, responsa on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch and discussion of contemporary issues. Altona, [1868]. First edition.
• Aruch LaNer, on tractates Rosh Hashanah and Sanhedrin. Warsaw, 1873. First edition. Ownership inscriptions and stamp of R. Eliyahu Romm, a Jerusalem rabbi.
• Minchat Ani, on the Torah. Altona, [1873]. First edition. Signature on front endpaper: "Isaac B. Ettlinger".
8 books. Varying size and condition. New bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam, by R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik, Rabbi of Brisk. Brisk, 1936. First edition.
Famed book of R. Chaim of Brisk, printed by his son, R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, some 18 years after the death of the author, who passed away in 1918. This book is R. Chaim's magnum opus, and a promise of its future publication was inscribed on his tombstone. The book was highly praised by R. Yechezkel Abramsky, R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz and others.
[3], 3-112 leaves. 33.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Original binding, worn, missing spine (original endpapers disconnected).
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Esh Dat, a polemical work against Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun, by R. David Nieto. London: Thomas Ilive, 1715.
A polemic book comprising two dialogues against the Sabbatean movement and against the Sabbatean Nechemiah Hayyun of Amsterdam.
Rabbi David Nieto (1654-1728), scholar of Torah and science. Dayan, orator and doctor in Livorno, and later the first rabbi of the Sephardi community in London. Author of Kuzari Sheni and Mateh Dan. One of the strongest opponents of Sabbateanism.
Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun (1655-ca. 1730), a Sabbatean scholar and kabbalist, probably the most prominent Sabbatean after Sabbatai Zevi's death.
Copy of R. Elisha Pontremoli. Inscription in his handwriting on the title page. Several corrections to one leaf, apparently in his handwriting.
R. Elisha Pontremoli (1779-1852), an Italian Torah scholar, author of many works still in manuscript. He would sign as "small Aleph".
[1], 38 leaves. [Does not include the Spanish translation of the book, Es Dat, ò Fuego Legal, which was printed with it.] Approx. 17 cm. Dark paper. Good-fair condition. Tears, including marginal tears to title page and marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. New binding.
Formerly of the private collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Broadside from the Proops brothers, the printers of Amsterdam, announcing the resolution of the dispute with R. Zalman, the printer of Sulzbach. Amsterdam, Tamuz 1765.
Leaf printed on one side. On the top of the leaf is a letter of the Amsterdam printers with a handwritten signature (apparently of one of the brothers, who also signed for his brother): "Yosef Yaakov and Avraham sons of the late R. Shlomo Proops Katz". After the brothers' letter is printed (in Rashi script) a confirmation by the Amsterdam community trustees, followed by the confirmation by the Amsterdam Beit Din.
The Proops brothers announce that following a compromise and the decision of R. Lipman, son of R. Zalman of Sulzbach, to remunerate them, the printer of Sulzbach has been granted permission to complete his edition of the Talmud, without affecting their right to print their edition.
The Sulzbach edition of the Talmud (1755-1763) was the focus of a dispute between printers which engendered a controversy between rabbis. Shortly after the beginning of printing, the Proops brothers of Amsterdam appealed to the rabbis of Vaad Arba Aratzot with the contention that the printing of the Sulzbach edition infringed their printing rights. The printers in Amsterdam were at the time publishing their own Talmud edition, and had received rabbinic approbations granting them exclusive rights to print the Talmud for a period of twenty-five years. The Vaad Arba Aratzot and other rabbis hastened to ban the Sulzbach Talmud, prohibiting studying from that edition of the Talmud and ruling that the volumes should be burnt (!) or at least buried. The dispute persisted, however, as the rabbis of Fürth, led by R. David Strauss, backed R. Zalman, the printer from Sulzbach. In 1764 R. Zalman announced a reprint of his edition, leading the dispute to erupt once again. The dispute continued for a long while and eventually drew the attention of leading rabbis of that time, such as the Noda BiYehudah who intervened to mediate between the printers.
[1] leaf. 36.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folds.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Collection of books and booklets of Shlomo Yehudah Leib Friedlander, the famous forger of the Talmud Yerushalmi on Seder Kodashim:
• Tosefta, Seder Zera'im and Nashim, with commentary Cheshek Shlomo by Shlomo Leib Friedlander. Two parts: Pressburg, 1889-1890. With title pages in French and preface on the manuscripts forming the basis for the text. First published work of Shlomo Friedlander, already displaying forgery, as the purported manuscripts never existed.
• Kesher Bogdim. Pressburg, 1891. Article against R. Aryeh Schwartz who had criticized his work Cheshek Shlomo on the Tosefta.
• Preface to Tosefta with Cheshek Shlomo. Tyrnau, 1930. Published posthumously by Friedlander's son.
• Talmud Yerushalmi (forged) on Seder Kodashim, with Cheshek Shlomo commentary. Part I: Zevachim and Arachin, Part II: Chulin and Bechorot. Seini, [1906]-1909. Both volumes. Ownership inscription on title page of first volume of "Yisrael Yonatan Yerushalimski" [1860-1917; son of R. Yaakov Moshe Direktor and son-in-law of the Ridvaz, author of a commentary on the Yerushalmi and Rabbi of Slutsk and Safed; father-in-law of R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel on the Tosefta].
The lost Talmud Yerushalmi on Seder Kodashim was never printed. In the beginning of the 20th century, a man named Shlomo Friedlander (under a false identity) skillfully copied all the early quotations from the Talmud Yerushalmi and other sources and announced that he had found an ancient manuscript of the lost Talmud Yerushalmi. This forgery misled most rabbis and scholars of the time, while certain others recognized and publicly exposed the forgery. After the forgery was confirmed, most copies were discarded.
5 volumes. Varying size and condition. Overall good-fair to fair condition. Wear and tears. Worn bindings. The books were not thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
Noticias reconditas do modo de proceder a Inquisição de Portugal com os seus presos [information on the Portuguese Inquisition's treatment of its prisoners], by António Vieira. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional, 1821. First Portuguese edition.
Sharp critical report against the Portuguese Inquisition and its manner of persecuting Jewish conversos. The report was made by the Jesuit priest António Vieira (1608-1697), at the request of Pope Clement X.
Vieira, who was himself jailed and tortured by the Inquisition for three years, reports on the unending persecution of the Portuguese Inquisition against the Jewish conversos and their families, who were suspected of disobedience to Christian laws and preservation of Jewish customs. He describes at length the arbitrary procedure of imprisonment and the shameful jail conditions, the seizure of property, the lengthy interrogations and harsh torture, the obtainment of testimony, the evidence and the forced confessions, the sentences, and more. Vieira notes the ethical-religious and economic questions raised by this conduct, and demands an immediate end to the use of these methods. As a result of the report's conclusions, Pope Innocent XI suspended the Inquisition in Portugal for seven years (1674-1681).
The report was distributed for many years only in manuscript, and was not well known to the public. In 1808 the report was published in London in English translation, and in 1821 the report was first published in the original Portuguese in Lisbon, the same year that the Portuguese Inquisition was permanently terminated.
[5], 3-272 pages. 15.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and light damage. Uneven trimming. New binding.
Rare. To the best of our knowledge and research, this has never before been auctioned.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.