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; 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").
One leaf missing from part I.

Two volumes. Vol. I: [11] ff., 159, 180–580 pp. (pp. 81–82 missing); [4] ff., 432, 383, [1] pp. + [5] engraved plates; Vol. II: [4] ff., 358, [1] pp., [15] ff., 320, 447, [1], 192 pp., [19] ff., 48 pp., [31] ff. + [5] engraved plates. Approx. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Inscriptions. Minor worming. Minor perforations and marginal tears (few open tears to leaf corners). Vellum bindings. Wear, stains and minor tears to bindings.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.350.

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 (false imprint on title page for: Königsberg). Second edition. Two parts in one volume. German, Hebrew and some Arabic.
Bookplate of Chaim Brody (signed in print "Struck").

Johann Andreas Eisenmenger (1654–1704), a German orientalist and professor of Semitic languages, is considered a precursor of modern antisemitism. Eisenmenger studied the Bible, the Talmud and rabbinical writings and met with Jewish scholars and rabbis, seeking evidence that Judaism was immoral and promoted hatred of Christians. For some 19 years, he professed to be studying the Jewish religion in order to convert to Judaism; in 1694 he even printed the Hebrew Bible in Frankfurt and was granted the approbation of Rabbi David Gruenhut (who described Eisenmenger in his foreword as an "exalted scholar"). Entdecktes Judenthum – "Judaism Unmasked" – is a credible, seemingly scientific study defaming Judaism and its threats to Christianity, and is considered to this day a classic of modern antisemitism. It 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, it was falsely presented as having been printed in Königsberg, which was outside the jurisdiction of Emperor Joseph I.

[20], 1016, [1]; [3], 1111, [1] pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains, and minor defects. Ownership inscriptions on front endpapers and inside front binding. Minor marginal tears to some leaves. Worming to binding and first leaves, slightly affecting text. Parchment binding, slightly worn and stained.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.216.

Executio Rebellium Francofurti Ad Maenum [execution of the rebels in Frankfurt am Main]. Engraving depicting the execution of Vinzenz Fettmilch in Frankfurt am Main. Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, 17th century, ca. 1620].

In 1614, Vinzenz Fettmilch, a German baker from Frankfurt am Main, led the uprising of the guilds against his city's institutions. The uprising developed into a raid on the Jewish quarter, in the course of which Jewish homes were looted. As a result, the Jews were forced to leave the city. After the intervention of Emperor Matthias, Fettmilch was imprisoned, and in February 1616 he was executed in one of the city's squares. The Jews of Frankurt am Main were allowed to return to their homes, and the day of their return was declared a holiday called the "Frankfurt Purim" or "Vinz Purim". See also item no. 230.

35.5X26 cm. Fair–good condition. Open tears to left margin (affecting edge of illustration), professionally restored. Minor stains. Ink stamp on verso. Paper residue on verso.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.021.

Des Joseph Süssen Lebens–Wamdel, wie auch sein Schellme–voller handel, wird mit dem galgen–Tod bezahlet woran er in den Kefig prahlet / [Die Hinrichtung des Juden Süß Oppenheimer in Stuttgart]. [Execution of the Jew Süß in Stuttgart]. Engraving by an unknown artist. Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, ca. 1738]. German.

Engraving depicting six scenes from the life of Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer, from the time he served as court Jew until his execution. The center of the leaf is occupied by a large illustration of the gallows and the metal cage Oppenheimer's body was exhibited in. This engraving is presumably part of a group of publications circulated shortly after his execution.

Joseph Süßkind Oppenheimer (1698–1738) was a court Jew, banker and financial advisor to Duke Karl Alexander of Würtemberg. After the Duke's sudden death, Oppenheimer was charged for a variety of offenses: treason, abusing his position and authority for his personal gain, embezzlement of public funds and licentious lifestyle; he was hanged and his body was left in a suspended cage for six years (the cage is featured in most engravings depicting his story). See also items 232 and 234.
Compare: Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg, Inventarnummer HB3934.

Engraving: 35.5X27.5 cm; leaf: 36.5X29 cm. Very good condition. Minor creases, minor stains. Paper residue on verso.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.018.

Wahre eigentliche Abildung dess unsterblichen Heydens, Joseph Krantz, Von dessen Wandel, Ursachen und neuester Eräugnüs im Norden von Engelland [true depiction of the "Eternal Jew" Joseph Krantz... and his appearance in North England]. Engraving by an unknown artist. Publisher, place and year not indicated, [Germany, ca. 1694–1710]. German.

Single leaf (broadsheet), with an engraving at the top depicting the meeting in North England between the "Eternal Jew" Joseph Krantz and two other gentlemen. The heading is inscribed above the engraving, which is followed by a lengthy text describing the appearance of Joseph Krantz, who allegedly lived 1700 years. The text is based, presumably, on the various versions of the Ahasverus legend – "The Wandering Jew" or "The Eternal Jew" – a Jewish cobbler condemned to eternal wandering after he defamed Christ. First disseminated in the Middle Ages, it earned much popularity and was circulated in many illustrated versions, mostly of antisemitic character.

[1] leaf. 40.5X32.5 cm. Fair–good condition. Tears, slightly affecting text, professionally restored. Folding marks. Some stains. Mounted on non–acidic paper. Tear to central fold.

For further information, see: George K. Anderson (1947), Joseph Krantz, Twin of Ahasverus, The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory, 22:3, pp. 188–201.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 117.011.048.
Rare.