Collection of some 130 paper works from the estate of the Safed artist R. Yosef Zvi Geiger. [Safed, late 19th and early 20th centuries].

Assorted collection, including works and items from the estate of R. Yosef Zvi Geiger of Safed, constituting an important example of Jewish folk art in Eretz Israel at the turn of the 20th century. Most items in the collection were created by Geiger himself, some are dated in pencil, and some bear Geiger's estate stamp (in the form of his signature).

The collection includes:

• Some 15 papercuts – intricate and delicate color works, most created for Sukkot and Shavuot – "Shavuos'l" or "Roizele" papercuts decorated with flowers, buds, birds, deer, etc. Some are accompanied by biblical verses.

• Some 25 Sukkah decorations – mostly three-dimensional decorations intended for hanging – animal figures, pennants and others – and colorful posters. The decorations are made of paper, wood and fabric threads.

• Some 90 sketches for various works – illustrations of animal and flower figures, Mizrach and Shiviti plaques, various decorations for Sukkah, Shavuot, Passover and Purim, various certificates (membership certificates, ketubot, notices, illustrations of figures and animals) and more. Most sketches are drawn in pencil or ink on tracing paper.

Enclosed are several works by other artists: • Two large pencil sketches (for woodwork or plasterwork?), signed "Acher Birnbaum" (one dated 1909, Jerusalem). • Lithographed micrography by "the young Samuel Shulman of Jerusalem, in Safed" – illustrations of the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Mount of Olives and surroundings [Jerusalem, late 19th century]. Two copies, one colored. • Lithograph – illustration depicting the Binding of Isaac. [Jerusalem? Ca. early 20th century]. Three copies. • The English Royal Family, color lithograph with portrait of the British royal family in the days of Edward VII (1841-1910). • And more.

Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kolel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gaba'im" (managers) of the various local Kolelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including Havatzelet, HaLevanon, and HaZefirah – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kolelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors' books", certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up signs with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.

Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.