Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Collection of Posters, Decrees and Ordinances – Jews of Ferrara and Ancona – 17th-18th Centuries / Handwritten Appeal to Duke Francis IV of Modena – 1815
Opening: $500
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Collection of six posters, notices, decrees and ordinances relating to the Jews of Ferrara and Ancona in the 17th to 18th centuries. Italian, Latin and some Hebrew. Heraldic symbols at top of some publications.
• Notificatione a gl'Interessati Laici nelle Case, e Botteghe del Circondario del Ghetto [Notice regarding homes and shops around the ghetto], from the High Magistrate of Ferrara, Mayor Nicola Gaetano Manfredi. Ferrara: Stampa Camerale, March 4, 1687. Italian.
Invitation to an administrative meeting to resolve disputes between the Jewish community and Christian home- and shop-owners in the environs.
30.5 cm.
• Pro Universitate Haebreorum, cum Interessatis in Ghetto Civitatis Ferrariae, Juris Allegationes [Legal arguments from the Jewish community and interest holders in the Ferrara ghetto]. Ferrara: Typographia Camerali, 1688. Latin.
Official legal argument from the Jewish community and residents of the Ferrara ghetto, in defense of the community's rights in ghetto boundaries, land ownership, rent and tax, rules of dress and trade relations with Christians. The arguments are based on legal literature and canon law, and aim to reduce the restrictions and financial burdens imposed on the Jews of the ghetto.
[2] double leaves (4 printed pages). 30 cm.
• In nome del signore Iddio! Regole delle Tasse della Natione Hebrea di Ferrara, Adi 14 Maggio 1702 [Tax regulations of the Jewish community of Ferrara, May 14, 1702]. Ferrara: Stampa Camerale, June 24, 1702. Italian and some Hebrew.
Poster from Cardinal Fulvio Astalli (1655-1721) on the tax distribution and collection in Ferrara. At end (in Hebrew) is the ban issued by the community leaders against violators.
Approx. 42X54 cm.
• Pragmatica da osservarsi dagl'ebrei del ghetto d'Ancona [Decrees to be observed by the Jews of the Ancona ghetto]. Ancona: Niccola Bellelli, March 1739. Italian.
Large poster with 22 community decrees relating to Jewish life in the Ancona ghetto, restricting dress, wedding dowries, celebrations, and instructions for donations, taxes, homes and commercial activity. The decrees were meant to restrain shows of wealth in the community, and are signed (in print) by five community leaders and by city rabbi R. Shimshon Morpurgo, and approved by the church authorities.
Approx. 56X43 cm.
• Editto sopra li Ebrei [Edicts regarding the Jews], from Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi (1694-1768), representative of the pope and archbishop of Ferrara. Ferrara: Stamperia Camerale, February 18, 1762. Italian.
These edicts detail the obligations of the Jewish community of the Ferrara ghetto in case of fire.
32 cm.
• Regole per ricavarsi gl’Annui aggravi per le spese, chè occorrono all’Università degli Ebrei di Ferrara, ed altre Provisoni [Regulations for the yearly taxes for expenses for Jewish community of Ferrara, and other provisions]. Ferrara: Stamperia della Reverenda Camera Apostolica, 1772. Italian and some Hebrew.
Official booklet of the Jewish community of Ferrara, with regulations on community life, commerce and economy. Mentions some of the important families in the city, including the Lampronti, Finzi, Rossi, Minerbi and other families.
At the end of the booklet is printed the text of the ban issued by rabbis of Ferrara against violators.
16, [1] pages. 28 cm.
Enclosed handwritten document: "Casa grande in ghetto" (a large home in the ghetto) – an appeal addressed to Duke Francis IV of Modena, to permit brothers Yishmael and Laudadio Sacerdote to sell their stake in a home in the Reggio ghetto – in contravention of an existing rule. On the verso of the document is an approval of the request and various administrative inscriptions. Modena-Reggio, April 1815. Italian.
[1] folded leaf (2 handwritten pages). Approx. 31 cm.
Varying condition. Overall good to fair condition.
Jewish Communities – Documents and Certificates
Jewish Communities – Documents and Certificates