Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Collection of Books – Printed in Germany – 1600s-1700s – Distinguished Copies
Opening: $400
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Assorted collection of ten books of responsa, halachah and homiletics, printed in Germany in the 1600s-1700s, including first editions of important works. Some books include important signatures, stamps and ownership inscriptions:
• Chut HaShani, responsa by R. Avraham Shmuel Bacharach, grandson of the Chavot Yair. [Frankfurt am Main, 1679].
Signatures on title page: "Avraham Chajes of Bockstadt"; "Gershon M[---?]".
R. Avraham Chajes, Rabbi of Bockstadt (or Burgkunstadt). His son was R. Gershon Chajes, Rabbi of Nikolsburg (d. 1789). Served as Rabbi of Hotzenplotz and sided with R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz in his controversy with R. Yaakov Emden. Served as Rabbi in Mattersdorf and succeeded R. Shmuel (Shmelke) Horowitz as Rabbi of Nikolsburg (Mikulov) and the state of Moravia.
Stamps of R. "Binyamin Fuchs Rabbi of Grosswardein" [R. Binyamin Fuchs, Rabbi of Grosswardein (Oradea; 1877-1936), son of R. Moshe Tzvi Fuchs Rabbi of Grosswardein (1843-1911). Served as Rabbi in several cities before succeeding his father as Rabbi of Grosswardein in 1918.
Two handwritten leaves at end of book with index and commentaries.
• Responsa Chavot Yair, by R. Yair Chaim Bacharach, Rabbi of Worms. Frankfurt am Main, [1699]. First edition. Illustrated title page, depicting angelic figures. Ownership inscription on title page (partially trimmed).
• Responsa of the Bach, by R. Yoel Sirkes. Frankfurt am Main, [1697]. First edition.
• Responsa of the Rama, by R. Moshe Isserles. Hanau, [1710].
Signature on title page. Stamp of R. Yehudah David Berenstein of New York, author of Hilcheta Rabta LeShabta, the first rabbi to discuss the halachot relating to electricity.
• Yefeh Mareh, aggadot from Talmud Yerushalmi Zeraim, Moed and Nashim, with Yefeh Mareh commentary by R. Shmuel Yafeh Ashkenazi of Constantinople, and Yofi Michlol commentary by R. Yechiel Michel Rabbi of Berlin. Berlin, [1725-1726]. First edition of Yofi Michlol.
On p. 2b, introduction by R. Yechiel Michel Rabbi of Berlin discussing his interest in kabbalah and the danger in studying from illicit sources. A later handwritten inscription adds that R. Yechiel Michel's own son, Lipman, became too involved in kabbalah and eventually apostatized along with his two sons.
Stamps of philanthropist R. Shemaryah Zuckerman of Mogilev [father-in-law and teacher of R. David Friedman Rabbi of Karlin].
• Commentary on Torah by R. Yaakov Baal HaTurim, with Itur Bikurim. Fürth, [1752]. First edition of commentary.
• He Lachem Zera LiTzedakah, responsa and rulings by Mahari Mintz and Maharam Padua. Fürth, [1766].
Signature on title page in Italian script.
• Mishpetei Shevuot and HaMekach VehaMimkar by R. Hai Gaon, with Shitah Chadashah version of Bereshit Rabbah and Baraita DiMelechet HaMishkan. Hamburg, [1782]. Bound with article on Mishpetei Shevuot (from an anthology) by Simchah Asaf.
• Yosef Lekach, on the Book of Esther, by R. Eliezer Ashkenazi, author of Maasei Hashem. [Hamburg, 1711]. Lacking title page and most of last leaf.
Signature on first leaf and following leaves. Many inscriptions on front and back endpapers, including "G-d granted me this, Avraham Tzvi [---] Iserless, here in Krumau" – R. Avraham Tzvi Hirsch Iserless of Nikolsburg, Rabbi of Krumau, Moravia (present-day Moravský Krumlov, Czech Republic), author of Nayot BaRamah; and others.
• Tekafo Kohen, with rules of Teiku and halachic doubt, by R. Shabtai Katz, author of Siftei Kohen (Shach). [Frankfurt an der Oder, 1677]. First edition. Lacking first seven leaves and last two leaves.
10 books. Varying size and condition. Bookplates. Most in old bindings. The books have not been thoroughly examined, and are being sold as is.
Provenance: Collection of Prof. Jordan S. Penkower.
Books of Important Ownership – Inked Stamps, Signatures and Handwritten Glosses
Books of Important Ownership – Inked Stamps, Signatures and Handwritten Glosses