Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
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Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $700
Sold for: $1,750
Including buyer's premium
Opus toti christiane reipublice maxime utile, de arcanis catholice ueritatis, contra obstinatissimam iudeoru[m] nostre tempestatis p[er]fidiam: ex Talmud, aliisq[ue] hebraicis libris nuper excerptum [A Work Most Useful for the Christian Republic on the Secrets of the Catholic Truth, against the Hard-Hearted Wickedness of Our Jews, Newly Excerpted from the Talmud and Other Hebrew Books…], by Pietro Galatino. Ortona (Italy): Gershom Soncino, 1518. Latin and some Hebrew.
Between 1507 and 1509, the Jewish apostate Johannes Pfefferkorn published a number of anti-Jewish tracts; considering Jewish books, and especially the Talmud, to be "the source of all evil", he called to have them seized and destroyed. Due to his efforts, in 1509, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I ordered the confiscation of Jewish books by authorized agents. Pfefferkorn, in his capacity as the Frankfurt agent, immediately began carrying out the order. The confiscation of Jewish books aroused the opposition of several German scholars, who claimed that Christian truth was hidden in Jewish sources. The debate that developed eventually led the emperor to rescind the order.
This book is unique in being an anti-Jewish work printed by one of the leading Hebrew printers in Italy, Gershom Soncino. The book, authored by the Friar Minor Pietro Colonna Galatino, shows that Jewish texts contain hints pertaining to the Christian doctrine. Perhaps Soncino agreed to print this work, which attacks his own religion, since it could be used to support the claims of those who opposed Pfefferkorn (thus protecting Jewish books).
The book contains many Biblical and Talmudic quotes in Hebrew. First page of each chapter within woodcut border (this border was used in the title pages of various Hebrew books printed by Gershom Soncino, such as Kol Bo, Rimini 1525-1526).
Gershom Soncino, one of the leading Hebrew printers, wandered with his printing equipment through various Italian cities. He printed three books in Ortona, including one in Hebrew. This is the first book he printed in Ortona.
CCCXI leaves (missing one leaf at the end). Approx. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Traces of damp damage. Worming to binding and several leaves. Large open tears to several leaves at the beginning and end of book (affecting text), repaired with paper. Strips of paper for reinforcement to inner margin of some leaves. Handwritten notations to some pages. Parchment binding, slightly worn, with minor damage.
Between 1507 and 1509, the Jewish apostate Johannes Pfefferkorn published a number of anti-Jewish tracts; considering Jewish books, and especially the Talmud, to be "the source of all evil", he called to have them seized and destroyed. Due to his efforts, in 1509, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I ordered the confiscation of Jewish books by authorized agents. Pfefferkorn, in his capacity as the Frankfurt agent, immediately began carrying out the order. The confiscation of Jewish books aroused the opposition of several German scholars, who claimed that Christian truth was hidden in Jewish sources. The debate that developed eventually led the emperor to rescind the order.
This book is unique in being an anti-Jewish work printed by one of the leading Hebrew printers in Italy, Gershom Soncino. The book, authored by the Friar Minor Pietro Colonna Galatino, shows that Jewish texts contain hints pertaining to the Christian doctrine. Perhaps Soncino agreed to print this work, which attacks his own religion, since it could be used to support the claims of those who opposed Pfefferkorn (thus protecting Jewish books).
The book contains many Biblical and Talmudic quotes in Hebrew. First page of each chapter within woodcut border (this border was used in the title pages of various Hebrew books printed by Gershom Soncino, such as Kol Bo, Rimini 1525-1526).
Gershom Soncino, one of the leading Hebrew printers, wandered with his printing equipment through various Italian cities. He printed three books in Ortona, including one in Hebrew. This is the first book he printed in Ortona.
CCCXI leaves (missing one leaf at the end). Approx. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Traces of damp damage. Worming to binding and several leaves. Large open tears to several leaves at the beginning and end of book (affecting text), repaired with paper. Strips of paper for reinforcement to inner margin of some leaves. Handwritten notations to some pages. Parchment binding, slightly worn, with minor damage.
Category
Anti-Semitism
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $500
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Entdecktes Judenthum, oder Gründlicher und wahrhaffter Bericht, welchergestalt die verstockte Juden die Hochheilige Dreyeinigkeit, Gott Vater, Sohn und Heiligen Geist erschrecklicher Weise lästern [Judaism Unmasked – a thorough and true report about the horrifying manner in which the stubborn Jews blaspheme the Holy Trinity…], by Johann Andreas Eisenmenger. [Berlin], 1711 (on the title page: Königsberg). Second edition. Two parts in one volume. German, Hebrew and some Arabic.
Johann Andreas Eisenmenger (1654-1704), a German orientalist and professor of Semitic languages, had a formative influence on modern antisemitism. Eisenmenger studied the Bible, the Talmud and rabbinical writings and met with Jewish scholars and rabbis, seeking evidence proving that Judaism was immoral and promoted hatred towards Christians. During his studies, for some 19 years, he professed to be interested in converting to Judaism; in 1694 he even printed the Hebrew Bible in Frankfurt and was granted the approbation of Rabbi David Gruenhut (R. Gruenhut wrote an introduction to the Bible, describing Eisenmenger as an "exalted scholar"). Entdecktes Judenthum – "Judaism Unmasked" – is an extensive study directed against Judaism, written in what seems to be a reliable scientific manner. It is considered to this day a classic of modern antisemitism and was dubbed "an encyclopedia of Jew hatred" by historian Simon Dubnow.
This is the second edition, printed clandestinely in violation of an injunction against the book, seven years after the author's death. In order to avoid prosecution, a false imprint was given, with the city of Königsberg, which was outside the jurisdiction of Emperor Joseph I, as place of printing.
[20], 1016, [1]; [3], 1111, [1] pp, 21 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Ownership inscriptions on front endpapers. Vellum-covered binding, worn and damaged.
Johann Andreas Eisenmenger (1654-1704), a German orientalist and professor of Semitic languages, had a formative influence on modern antisemitism. Eisenmenger studied the Bible, the Talmud and rabbinical writings and met with Jewish scholars and rabbis, seeking evidence proving that Judaism was immoral and promoted hatred towards Christians. During his studies, for some 19 years, he professed to be interested in converting to Judaism; in 1694 he even printed the Hebrew Bible in Frankfurt and was granted the approbation of Rabbi David Gruenhut (R. Gruenhut wrote an introduction to the Bible, describing Eisenmenger as an "exalted scholar"). Entdecktes Judenthum – "Judaism Unmasked" – is an extensive study directed against Judaism, written in what seems to be a reliable scientific manner. It is considered to this day a classic of modern antisemitism and was dubbed "an encyclopedia of Jew hatred" by historian Simon Dubnow.
This is the second edition, printed clandestinely in violation of an injunction against the book, seven years after the author's death. In order to avoid prosecution, a false imprint was given, with the city of Königsberg, which was outside the jurisdiction of Emperor Joseph I, as place of printing.
[20], 1016, [1]; [3], 1111, [1] pp, 21 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Ownership inscriptions on front endpapers. Vellum-covered binding, worn and damaged.
Category
Anti-Semitism
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Two anti-Semitic books by Jewish converts into Christianity, bound together: "The Jewish Faith and Superstitions" by Friedrich Albrecht Christiani, and "The Whole Jewish Belief" by Anton Margaritha. Leipzig: Friedrich Lanckischens Erben (Friedrich Lanckischen's heirs), 1713. German and some Hebrew.
1. Der Jüden Glaube und Aberglaube [The Jewish Faith and Superstitions], by Friedrich Albrecht Christiani. Second edition.
An anti-Semitic work on Jews and Judaism, accompanied by an engraved title page and eight engraved plates depicting Jewish costumes, ritual artifacts and customs.
Friedrich Albrecht Christiani was born in 1647 as Baruch to a Jewish family from Prostitz in Moravia (today Prostějov in the Czech Republic). In his youth he served as a cantor in Bruchsal. In 1674, he converted into Christianity and moved to Leipzig, where he served for twenty years as chair of the Leipzig university department for Semitic studies and published several compositions about the Jews and their customs. Shortly before 1700 he returned to his birth town, Prostitz, and to Judaism.
[1] title page, 88, 186, [10] pp. + [9] engraved plates.
2. Der Gantze Jüdische Glaube [The Whole Jewish Belief], by Antonio (Anton) Margaritha.
An anti-Semitic, polemic work by the convert Anton Margaritha (1492-1542), a descendent of a well-known family of rabbis in Germany; son of the Rabbi of Regensburg Shmuel Margaliot and grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Margaliot. It was first published in Augsburg, in 1530, and includes the first translation of the Jewish prayer book for a non-Jewish readership (see: "Between Judaism and Christianity(ies), between Ethnography and Polemic: Antonius Margaritha's Writing on the Kabbalah in 'The Whole Jewish Belief'" [Hebrew], by Daniel Lehmann). Engraved title page.
Der Gantze Judische Glaube claims to expose the true face of Judaism, mocks Jewish customs and makes serious accusations against the Jews. Margaritha warns his Christian readers against being in contact and trading with Jews, cautions them not to consult with Jewish physicians and portrays a negative picture of the Jewish Sabbath and the custom of using a "Sabbath Gentile". One of the worst allegations targets the political loyalty of the Jews, who are portrayed as treacherous subjects and supporters of enemy countries, headed by the Ottoman Empire. This work deeply affected Martin Luther, who was inspired by it to write his anti-Semitic book "On the Jews and Their Lies". Alongside its wide influence on anti-Semitism in early modern history, the book is also considered a valuable source of information about the daily life of Jews and their customs at the time.
The grim accusations against the Jews made by Margaritha in this book led to a public debate, conducted in 1530 before the Imperial Committee that convened in the Reichstag of Augsburg, in the presence of Emperor Karl V. Margaritha's opponent in this debate was the well-known Jewish lobbyist Rabbi Joseph ben Gershon of Rosheim (Joseph Loanz). After Joseph ben Gershon refuted Margaritha's claims against the Jews, Margaritha was banished from Augsburg.
[1] engraved title page, [15] leaves, 360, [24] pp.
The two books are bound together. Volume: 17 cm. Good condition. Stains. Some small tears. A piece is cut from the title page of the first book (completed with a strip of paper, slightly affecting text). Upper engraved title page of the first book colored with felt-tipped pen. New leather binding and new endpapers.
----------------------------------------- -----
Monkeys for Kapparot
Regarding the custom of Kapparot on the eve of Yom Kippur, Margaritha makes an odd remark (pp. 60-61), based on the teaching that a rooster is taken for Kapparot since in Hebrew it is called "Gever", as are men: "Some say that they have heard from early Sages that monkeys should
be used, since they are most similar to men, but as it is not always possible to get monkeys, roosters are used".
Category
Anti-Semitism
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $700
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Jüdische Merckwürdigkeiten [Jewish Oddities], by Johann Jacob Schudt. Four parts in two volumes. Frankfurt and Leipzig, 1714-1718. German, with some Hebrew, Yiddish and Latin.
"Jewish Oddities" was published between 1714 and 1718, introducing one of the most comprehensive studies on Judaism until then: more than 3,000 pages documenting the minute details of Jewish life, dress, language, prayers, holidays and customs.
Although the book did not address any particular community, most of the information it contains was gathered in the author's city, Frankfurt, and it provides a valuable documentation of the Frankfurt Jewish community. Several of the texts copied by Schudt (in Hebrew and Yiddish) are unknown from other sources: a Selicha authored by Rabbi Shmuel Schotten Katz following the great fire in the Jewish Quarter of Frankfurt in 1711; the Purim play "Ahasuerus-Spiel" (of which most copies were burnt following a rabbinical decree; the text was preserved only thanks to Schudt); two versions of women's incantations for childbirth; regulations of the Jewish community forbidding luxuries (see item 78); and more.
Besides its documental value, the book is considered a landmark in the history of modern anti-Semitism, mainly due to a special chapter dedicated entirely to a description of the Jewish body – its shape, colors and smells (this chapter is considered a harbinger of racist anti-Semitism in Europe).
The book features several engravings (some as separate plates and some in-text), including a portrait of the author, an engraving depicting Jacob blessing Joseph's sons, an engraving depicting two festive processions held in Jewish communities in Germany in 1716 for the birth of Leopold Johann, the son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Carl VI, and an especially offensive engraving of the Judensau ("Jews' Sow"). Missing two engraved plates.
Vol. I: [11] leaves, 159, 180-582 pp, [1] leaves; [4] leaves, 432, 383, [1] pp; [4] leaves, 358 pp, [31] leaves + [3] large engraved plates and [2] small engraved plates, approx. 20.5 cm; Vol. II: [16] leaves, 320; 447, [1], 192 pp, [19] leaves, 48 pp, [1] leaf + [2] large engraved plates and [2] small engraved plates, approx. 20 cm. Missing two engraved plates. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Several tears, some to folding engraved plates. Handwritten notations to endpapers. Bookplate to inside binding of the second volume. Blemishes and wear to bindings. The first volume in modern binding (with a cloth spine) on which an old leather binding is mounted, with a label on the spine.
"Jewish Oddities" was published between 1714 and 1718, introducing one of the most comprehensive studies on Judaism until then: more than 3,000 pages documenting the minute details of Jewish life, dress, language, prayers, holidays and customs.
Although the book did not address any particular community, most of the information it contains was gathered in the author's city, Frankfurt, and it provides a valuable documentation of the Frankfurt Jewish community. Several of the texts copied by Schudt (in Hebrew and Yiddish) are unknown from other sources: a Selicha authored by Rabbi Shmuel Schotten Katz following the great fire in the Jewish Quarter of Frankfurt in 1711; the Purim play "Ahasuerus-Spiel" (of which most copies were burnt following a rabbinical decree; the text was preserved only thanks to Schudt); two versions of women's incantations for childbirth; regulations of the Jewish community forbidding luxuries (see item 78); and more.
Besides its documental value, the book is considered a landmark in the history of modern anti-Semitism, mainly due to a special chapter dedicated entirely to a description of the Jewish body – its shape, colors and smells (this chapter is considered a harbinger of racist anti-Semitism in Europe).
The book features several engravings (some as separate plates and some in-text), including a portrait of the author, an engraving depicting Jacob blessing Joseph's sons, an engraving depicting two festive processions held in Jewish communities in Germany in 1716 for the birth of Leopold Johann, the son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Carl VI, and an especially offensive engraving of the Judensau ("Jews' Sow"). Missing two engraved plates.
Vol. I: [11] leaves, 159, 180-582 pp, [1] leaves; [4] leaves, 432, 383, [1] pp; [4] leaves, 358 pp, [31] leaves + [3] large engraved plates and [2] small engraved plates, approx. 20.5 cm; Vol. II: [16] leaves, 320; 447, [1], 192 pp, [19] leaves, 48 pp, [1] leaf + [2] large engraved plates and [2] small engraved plates, approx. 20 cm. Missing two engraved plates. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Several tears, some to folding engraved plates. Handwritten notations to endpapers. Bookplate to inside binding of the second volume. Blemishes and wear to bindings. The first volume in modern binding (with a cloth spine) on which an old leather binding is mounted, with a label on the spine.
Category
Anti-Semitism
Catalogue
Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
May 5, 2020
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
An official manuscript document issued by the Inquisition of Mallorca. Spain, 1649. Spanish.
Manuscript document, written on a folded leaf and signed by an Inquisition official of Mallorca. Instructing Pedro Pax y Net, Caballero, depositary for the Confraternity of San Pedro Martir, to pay the widow Leonora Ferrer the sum of 68 libras for wax supplied for the San Pedro Martir Feasts in 1648-1649.
Several lines in a different hand on verso, added by one Juan Ferrer, presumably on behalf of Leonora Ferrer, confirm receipt of payment.
Folded leaf, 31.5X22 cm. Good-fair condition. Blemishes and tears (some open), mostly to margins, slightly affecting text. Some stains.
Provenance: A. Rosenthal Ltd., Antiquarian Booksellers, September 1973. Enclosed: printout from the auction catalog, payment receipt and other documents.
Manuscript document, written on a folded leaf and signed by an Inquisition official of Mallorca. Instructing Pedro Pax y Net, Caballero, depositary for the Confraternity of San Pedro Martir, to pay the widow Leonora Ferrer the sum of 68 libras for wax supplied for the San Pedro Martir Feasts in 1648-1649.
Several lines in a different hand on verso, added by one Juan Ferrer, presumably on behalf of Leonora Ferrer, confirm receipt of payment.
Folded leaf, 31.5X22 cm. Good-fair condition. Blemishes and tears (some open), mostly to margins, slightly affecting text. Some stains.
Provenance: A. Rosenthal Ltd., Antiquarian Booksellers, September 1973. Enclosed: printout from the auction catalog, payment receipt and other documents.
Category
Anti-Semitism
Catalogue