Illustrated Title Pages in Upcoming Auction Catalog

This Thursday, Kestenbaum & Co. is having an auction. The catalog is available online and the viewing takes place this week. For those interested in some highlights, the website provides those. But, I wanted to highlight a theme that hasn’t been noted. First, a quick background regarding Hebrew book auctions. [Note, this is not a comprehensive attempt.] There are five auction houses that concentrate on Hebrew books, Kestenbaum, Judica Jerusalem, Asufa, Baronovitch, and, a recent entry, Kedem. While all five concentrate on Hebrew books, they are all unique in many ways. First, the catalog. With the exception of Judaica Jerusalem, all offer their catalogs online. Additionally, they also offer them in hard copy format through subscriptions. Kestenbaum and Baronovitch are American auction houses, while the others are Israeli. Of the two American, Kestenbaum has auctions more frequently. Both American typically have two to three hundred lots, while the Israeli ones have as many as 800. The Israeli ones provide illustrations for every lot and descriptions in Hebrew and English (although, at times, the English translations can be very poor). Kestenbaum doesn’t have illustrations for every lot. Which gets us to our hidden theme. In the lots that provide photos of the title pages, many title pages carry a mythological or Christian theme. Of course, we are not suggesting that these were selected because of this theme, instead, we are merely pointing it out.

Mythological Title Pages

The first illustration is for lot # 4, Mirkeveth ha-Mishna Abrabanel’s commentary to Devarim. This edition of Sabbioneta, 1551 (the first Hebrew book published there), carries the illustration of Mars and Minerva.

This is not the only time this title page appears. Indeed, in this auction catalog’s illustrations it appears on three other illustrated books. See lots 171, 191 and 217. That is, these other books share the same title illustration. Marvin Heller, in his article discussing this title page explains that, as one probably surmised, this title page with its mythical theme, first appeared in non-Jewish books. Beginning in 1523 this title page was employed in a variety of non-Jewish books. It would be our book, Mirkeveth ha-Mishna, that would be the first Hebrew book to re-use this title page. Heller, traces the subsequent history in his article for those looking for more information on this title page. Marvin Heller, “Mars & Minerva on the Hebrew Title Page,” in Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, 98:3 (Sept. 2004).

The second illustration related to mythological theme is that of lot # 221, Pirkei Rebi Eliezer, Sabbionetta, 1567. This title page shows Hercules striking Hydra the multi-headed snake (the illustration seems very similar to that of Antonio del Pollaiolo’s “Hercules and the Hydra.”).

We now turn to the Christian title page. This one is from lot #129, Haggadah shel Pesach, Amsterdam, 1712. The title page, at the top, depicts Moshe at the burning bush. This Haggadah, which is known as the Second Amsterdam Hagaddah due to it being the second edition of the Haggadah to carry copperplate engravings rather than wood. These engravings were done by a convert, Abraham ben Jacob (whose name was removed from the title page in this edition). Ben Jacob used a well known Christian engravers illustrations as models for the Haggadah illustrations. So, Moshe at the burning bush illustrations is almost the same, with the exception that the triangle surrounding God’s name (depicting the Trinity) is removed in the haggadah. Both appear below.

Yerushalmi, in Haggadah and History, shows other examples of borrowing in this Haggadah.

It is worth noting a few more benign title page illustrations that appear in this catalog. The first is that of lot #165, Amudei Golah, Cremona, 1556 that shows in the center a medallion personifying Cremona, while in the “upper section is the head of a winged horse, with a bare-breasted woman to the right and a man to the left.” Marvin Heller, The Sixteenth Century Hebrew Book, p. 417.

Finally, we get to the last book we shall discuss, one of the earliest to include a portrait of the author on the frontispiece, lot 84, Kehunat Avraham, Venice, 1719. Additionally, one can see that he is wearing a wig, not all that uncommon amongst the Rabbinic sect for the period of time it was universially fashionable. For example, R. David Neito is shown with a wig, as are others. One well known example of one who skipped the wig was R. Yehudah Areyeh Modena, who appears in his portrait completely bald.

Upcoming Auctions

There are three upcoming auctions, Kestenbaum , Asufa, and Jerusalem Judaica. The first two have their catalogs online while the final one is only available in hardcopy. Kestenbaum has two very rare and thus highly prized pieces, one the 1526 Prague Haggadah. (Lot number 124) This edition, which is the first complete (there were some leaves found in a binding containing illustrations that may or may not be earlier, but, in all events, it was not a complete copy), illustrated Haggadah. We have discussed this edition here and here. Additionally, we have mentioned that the illustration that adorns shefoch was used as the title page for the Levush and, most recently, was censored. This haggadah is particularly rare (and expensive). There are five known complete copies to exist and there are one or two copies complete copies on vellum (I have seen both numbers quoted). The Valmaddona Trust owns a vellum copy, and at the time it was purchased in 1982 it was the most expensive printed Hebrew book sold when it sold for $143,000. In 1995 a paper copy of this edition sold for $300,000. It is my understanding that today, the record for the highest price paid for Hebrew book is for the Shabbtai Sofer Siddur with the various autographs, although, if one counts the 11 volumes of the Bomberg Talmud printed on blue paper as one lot, those were recently sold for close to $2 million in the aggregate. But, it is not only the amount of money paid that makes this haggadah important, many of the illustrations became the protype for subsequent haggadah illustrations. The second very rare book at Kestenbaum is the first edition of the Ibn Ezra's commentary to the Pentateuch, which is an incunabula, printed in Naples, 1488. (Lot number 38). This particular copy is a wide margin copy and is described as the finest copy to come up for auction in decades.

Additionally, the first edition of two important siddurim are here as well. The Siddur Sha'ar ha-Shamayim from R. Isaiah Horowitz, the Shelah (lot no. 174) and R. Y. Emden's Siddur, (lot no. 101). Another important first edition of a liturgical work is R. Meir Ibn Gabbai's Tola'ath Ya'akov (lot no. 187) with the rare poem page. Another work that contains a rare page is the Hon Ashir from R. Immanuel Ricci. (Lot no. 195) This work, a commentary on the Mishna, was printed in 1731, however, only some copies contain the final page that has musical notes and an accompanying poem. Finally, for those interested in forgery, Friedlander's Yerushalmi on Kodshim is lot number 224.

On the manuscript front. The Hida's manuscript of Birkei Yosef with some variants from the printed text. (Lot 253). An autographed manuscript signed by R. Yonathan Eybescheutz that is "an unrecorded engagement proposal of" R. Eybescheutz daughter. (Lot no. 267). There is a letter relating to R. J.B. Soloveitchik's failed bid for Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv from his father, R. Moshe. (Lot no. 296).

Tomorrow, we will discuss the other two auctions.

Upcoming December Auctions

In the next few weeks there are a bunch of auctions. First, is Sotheby's auction of the "Delmonico" collection. This collection, of an anonymous collector, is amazing. It includes fifty incunabula with the balance of the auction being 16 and 17th century books. Included in the later portion are volumes of the first edition Bomberg Talmud printed on blue paper. These are the only known copies of these volumes. The incunabula includes the first edition of the Rambam's commentary on Mishna, the second edition of the Mishna Torah, the first book printed in the author's lifetime – the Nofet Zufim by R. Yehudah Messer Leon, first edition of the Ramban's Commentary on the Torah, the first Hebrew book with a printer's mark, as well as many, many other gems. This auction takes place on December 17th in the morning, there is another Sotheby's auction of Jewish books and Judaica taking place that afternoon as well.

The next auction is Kestenbaum which takes place a day later, on the 18th. Some highlights from the catalog include a letter from R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik (318) regarding the permissibility of teaching Talmud to girls. "Rabbi Soloveitchik declines to present his views." Because "'We have reached a stage at which party lines and political ideologies influence our Halachic thinking to the extent that people cannot rise above partisan issues to the level of Halacha-objectivity. . . . I am not inclined to give any of these factions an opportunity for nonsensical debates.'" Also, in the manuscript section, are a collection of letters from R. Samson Morpurgo, (308) many dealing with the Ramchal controversy. While some have been published it appears there are discrepancies between the published versions and that of the letters in this collection. Or for those interested in the R. Naftali Hertz Wessely controversy, the scribal copy of R. Tzvi Hirsch Berlin's resignation letter (296) is included. Due to R. Wessely's Divrei Shalom ve-Emet, R. Berlin wanted Wessely expelled from Berlin; however, Mendelssohn defended Wessely leading Berlin to tender his resignation as Chief Rabbi of Berlin. Later, Berlin, recinded his resignation and remained Chief Rabbi until his death in 1800. Of course, R. Berlin was R. Saul Berlin's (publisher of Besamim Rosh) father. Although not as rare as the blue paper Bomberg, Kestenbaum has a complete copy of the Slavita, 1817-22 Talmud (256). The publication of this Talmud eventually led to the controversy betwen the Slavita and Romm presses.

When it comes to colored paper there are two lots of interest. The first is Deinard's edition of the Zemir Aritzim (124) which is printed on multi-colored papers including blue, green, pink, and yellow, indeed, there are only two white pages in the book. The Amsterdam, 1669 Seder Keriah ve-Tikun le-Leilei Chag Shavout ve-Hoshana Rabba, "at the request of wealty bibliophiles, a handful of copies of this work were printed on colored paper" including blue or green paper. This one (213) is on blue paper. Returning to Deinard, there are three other books of his, including one which he inscribed (122-25). As is well-known Deinard travelled the world, what is lesser known is the the book Sefer ha-Berit ha-Chadash (On the Life and Customs of the Jews of China), Pietrokov, 1911, (108) which Uzeil Haga describes his travels with the U.S. Armed Forces expedition in 1901 to China. In the end Haga "was suspected of espionage and was imprisoned by the Boxers where he died after suffering torture." Two bibliographical notes. The first is a rare catalogue of R. Pinner (translator of the Talmud into German) for the Odessa Society for History and Antiquities Holdings of Ancient Hebrew and Rabbinic Manuscripts (81). The second is Ben-Zion Eisenstat's Otzar ha-Temunot (85) which is a collection of photographys of over 150 Rabbis from the turn of the twentith century. The full catalog can be downloaded here.

Baranovich Auction

Yeshiva Ahavas Torah, Baranovich is having an auction Wednesday, November 19th. One can download the catalog here. While I don't intend to cover the whole catalog, I want to briefly highlight a few items. Those interested in early Hebrew/English primers (or English Hebraica) and the like should take a look at lots 12-17. For those interested in early 20th century American figures, such as Rodkinson and Eisenstein, see lot 62 for Eisenstein's quasi-autobiography, Otzar Zikronoti . And for a polemic against Rodkinson by R. Yosef Kohen Zedek (of London, a fascinating figure in his own right) see lot 52, Sefat Emet. For other polemical material, no auction is complete without the rare (but, again, somehow appear in every auction) polemics on the Emden-Eybshutz controversy, lots 35-36. Another controversial piece is the 1535 Constantinople edition of the Machberet Emanuel , lot 66. While this is not the first edition which was published in 1491, it contains different material than the first edition. See Machberet Emmanuel, Yardeni ed., Jerusalem, 1957 p. 20. For those interested only in first editions, the first edition of the Hafetz Hayim, Vilna 1873, lot 72 is available. For earliest mention of the Ba'al Shem Tov see lot 81, Maayim Hayyim , discussed at length here. Finally, for those interested in illustrated seforim, the Maayan Ganim, with its fountain illustrations as well as a mention of women studying torah is lot 102.

Upcoming Auctions

There are two upcoming auctions. The first, Kestenbaum & Co. will take place this Thursday, June 26th, the catalog is available on their website. The auction includes R. S.R. Hirsch’s copy of the Zohar, which is interesting in that R. Hirsch is not readily associated with Kabbalah. Of course, R. Hirsch and other German Jews had a more nuanced view of Kabbalah and were not antagonistic as some others (think certain groups of Yemenites).

Additionally, for those interested in incunabula, R. David Kimchi’s (RaDaK) Sefer ha-Shorashim, Naples 1490 is for sale. It is worth noting that a tremendous amount of incunabula – by my count some 96 titles! – are available online at the JNUL Digitized Book Repository including this edition of the Sefer ha-Shorashim. To have access to so many rare titles is extrodinary. Even if one has access to a library that has a few incunabula it is difficult to view them let alone browse through and copy and print pages from these works.

This edition of the Sefer ha-Shorashim is also important in that it is different than the later editions. One of the readings this edition contains implicates the correct reading of Zekher Amalek. (See J. Penkower’s excellent article on the topic, “Minhag u-Mesorah – ‘Zekher Amalek’ be-Hamesh or be-Shesh Nikkudot” in Iyun Mikrah u-Parshanut, vol. 4 (1997) 71-128, esp. pp. 82-3.)

Another work of interest, especially in light of some recent controversies, is Tuv Ta’am by R. Aron Tzvi Friedman, discussing various laws of Shehitah. As noted by Goldman, “according to a family legend, the English translation of this work convinced President Ulysses S. Grant to eat only kosher meat.”

Other mentions include:

The first edition of R. Hutner’s Torat ha-Nazir, that includes R. Kook’s approbation (removed in some later versions).

Aneh Kesil, a polemic defending the authenticity of the Yerushalmi Kodshim.

Asufa has an auction coming up on July 3rd. Their catalog is available online here.

New Auction Catalog

Kestenbaum & Co.’s latest auction catalog for its auction on April 3, 2008, is available online. The auction includes a collection of important bibliography catalogs including, Koheleth David, the catalog of R. David Oppenheimer’s books that eventually went to the Bodleian Libary; Ohel Avraham, catalog of R. Avraham Merzbacher, this catalog was complied by R. Raphael Nathan Nata Rabinowich the author of Dikdukei Soferim; Likutei Shoshanim, the catalog of R. Mattisyahu Straschun’s library (this library in part went to YIVO and part to Hecheil Shlomo, Hecheil Shlomo recently sold this library and YIVO has sold parts of the library as well); Koheles Moshe, the catalog of St. Petersberg library compiled by Shmuel Wiener considered one of the best bibliography catalogs (unfortunately Wiener never completed the catalog).

Another book of interest is Johann Jakob Schudt’s Judisher Merkwurdigkeiten (Jewish Curiosities) (lot 110). This book contains much in the way of providing evidence of what Jewish practice was in the 18th century. R. Goldhaver in his comprehensive article on the origins and spread of custom of kabbalat Shabbat uses Schudt as Schudt is the earliest mention of some Kabbalat Shabbat customs.

Some of the books here belong to important personages. For example, an edition of the Shabbthai Sofer siddur belonging to Sir David Solomons, the first Jewish Sheriff of London and the Lord Mayor of London, he was also one of the first Jews to serve in the British House of Commons. (lot 218). There is a book on agunah that was Chaim Heller’s copy. (lot 245) R. Shlomo Dubno’s copy of Meskhtat Derekh Erets. (lot 265) And, then there is R. Nathan Adler of Frankfort’s copy of Adugath Mordehai. (lot 4)

A few noteworthy first editions also appear in the catalog. First, there is a sixteenth century copy of a machzor according to the Karite rite. (lot 210) This is a very rare machzor, with the only complete copy in the Bodleian Library. Second, there are a few first editions of the Gra’s works including Tospehta Zeraim, Shenoth Eliyahu, Torat Kohanim, and Tikkunei HaZohar. (lots 96-99) There is also the first edition of R. Emden’s She’elot Ya’avetz. (lot 100)

The auction includes the Munich-Heidelberg Talmud that was printed with the help of the United States Army after the Holocaust. (lot 171) A miniature Tehillim that is extremely rare. (lot 55). And, an important edition of Rashi’s commentary on the Torah – it is a Spanish or Sephardic “version” that is distinct from the German/French and Italian versions. (lot 53)
Two manuscripts of interest. A portion of the Hatam Sofer’s commentary to the Torah written in his own hand. (lot 348). Second, is a manuscript of R. Saul Morteira’s work on the Truth of the Law of Moses. The manuscript includes information on the Jews of Recife.