Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
Displaying 1 - 12 of 41
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $3,200
Sold for: $5,000
Including buyer's premium
Ha-Rokeach, founded by Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Yehuda [from Germazia]. Fano, Passover [1505], [Gershom Soncino print]. First edition.
A compilation of laws on permissions and prohibitions [Issur Ve-Heiter], money matters [Mamonot], Festivals, and Women, combined with words of Yir’ah and Teshuva, Musar and Chasidut – among the prominent books of Halacha and Yir’ah.
According to many bibliographers, this book is the first Hebrew book ever printed with a title page.
Rabbi Elazar from Worms (Germazia) was apparently born in Mainz around 1176 and passed away there in 1238. He was the son of Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Klonimus from Mainz, his father’s disciple as well as the disciple of Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chasid, author of “Sefer Chasidim” who taught him Kabalistic secrets. Authored about thirty books, the Roke’ach being the most important one.
[109] Leaves, 27 cm. light, Great quality paper. Good-fair condition except for leaves [2-3] - which were added from a different copy - are detached and have cut margins. Professionally restored tears and damages.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
A compilation of laws on permissions and prohibitions [Issur Ve-Heiter], money matters [Mamonot], Festivals, and Women, combined with words of Yir’ah and Teshuva, Musar and Chasidut – among the prominent books of Halacha and Yir’ah.
According to many bibliographers, this book is the first Hebrew book ever printed with a title page.
Rabbi Elazar from Worms (Germazia) was apparently born in Mainz around 1176 and passed away there in 1238. He was the son of Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Klonimus from Mainz, his father’s disciple as well as the disciple of Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chasid, author of “Sefer Chasidim” who taught him Kabalistic secrets. Authored about thirty books, the Roke’ach being the most important one.
[109] Leaves, 27 cm. light, Great quality paper. Good-fair condition except for leaves [2-3] - which were added from a different copy - are detached and have cut margins. Professionally restored tears and damages.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $5,000
Unsold
Sefer Rabeinu Bechaye, commentary on the Torah. Pesaro, 1507. Gershom Soncino Printing. Third edition.
Glosses on book's sheets and signatures: Handwritten on Leaf 115, what was found written in the handwriting of Dayan Rabbi Sa'adia Ebn Denan. On Leaf 133/2, signature of Rabbi Yosef Avichzar. Additional ancient glosses (damaged).
286 leaves. Missing title page and another 3 leaves, replaced by photocopies. Additional damaged leaves were professionally restored and reconstructed by photocopy of the missing text. 29 cm. Fair condition, stains, restored omissions. New leather binding.
From Dr. Mehlman's private collection.
Very rare.
Glosses on book's sheets and signatures: Handwritten on Leaf 115, what was found written in the handwriting of Dayan Rabbi Sa'adia Ebn Denan. On Leaf 133/2, signature of Rabbi Yosef Avichzar. Additional ancient glosses (damaged).
286 leaves. Missing title page and another 3 leaves, replaced by photocopies. Additional damaged leaves were professionally restored and reconstructed by photocopy of the missing text. 29 cm. Fair condition, stains, restored omissions. New leather binding.
From Dr. Mehlman's private collection.
Very rare.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $1,200
Unsold
Bi’ur Al Ha-Torah, Rabeinu Bechaye Ibn Halawa. Venice, [1544].
Remarks in antique Italian handwriting on the sheets’ margins.
243 Leaves, 29.5 cm. Light paper, wide margins. Good-fair condition, stains. The title page is missing its margins but has its central part (11.5 X 14 cm), leaves 2-3 are detached and damaged (added from a different copy). New, semi-leather binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
Remarks in antique Italian handwriting on the sheets’ margins.
243 Leaves, 29.5 cm. Light paper, wide margins. Good-fair condition, stains. The title page is missing its margins but has its central part (11.5 X 14 cm), leaves 2-3 are detached and damaged (added from a different copy). New, semi-leather binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $7,000
Unsold
Seder Olam. Mantua, [1513], Shmuel son of Meir Latif Printing. First edition.
Seder Olam Raba (attributed to the Tana Rabbi Yossei ben Chalafta), Seder Olam Zuta, Megillat Ta'anit and Sefer HaKabbala by Rabbi Avraham ben David HaLevi (the first Ra'avad).
[51] leaves (missing blank page at the beginning), 20 cm. Fair condition. Damage to margins and many moth holes, professionally restored. New leather binding.
From Dr. Mehlman's private collection.
Seder Olam Raba (attributed to the Tana Rabbi Yossei ben Chalafta), Seder Olam Zuta, Megillat Ta'anit and Sefer HaKabbala by Rabbi Avraham ben David HaLevi (the first Ra'avad).
[51] leaves (missing blank page at the beginning), 20 cm. Fair condition. Damage to margins and many moth holes, professionally restored. New leather binding.
From Dr. Mehlman's private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Seder Olam Raba, Seder Olam Zuta, Megillat Ta’anit, Sefer HaKabala L’HaRa’avad, Divrei Romi V’Divrei Malchei Yisrael. Venice, 1545, Marco Antonio Justinian Printing. Third edition.
62 leaves (incorrect leaf count), 20.5 cm. Good condition. White clean paper. Censor inscription in ancient handwriting on title page. Library stamps. Few stains. New leather cover.
From Dr. Mehlman’s private collection.
62 leaves (incorrect leaf count), 20.5 cm. Good condition. White clean paper. Censor inscription in ancient handwriting on title page. Library stamps. Few stains. New leather cover.
From Dr. Mehlman’s private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $1,200
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Minhag Avot Tanya [Tanya customs of forefathers], customs and laws, by Rabbi Yechiel son of Yekutiel Anav. Manua [1514], Shmuel Latif Printing. First edition.
The book Tanya Rabti was comprised as a Halachic composition which served as a supplement to the prayer book as customary in Italy. It consists of a brief adaptation of the book Shvilei HaLeket, with many additions. Printed anonymously, in various editions the book was ascribed to Rabbi Yechiel son of Rabbi Asher (HaRosh) or to Rabbi Yechiel son of Rabbi Tzidkia. Printed without title page, the book is named after its first words.
Colophon: “…Sefer HaTanya was completed in the month of Sivan, year five thousand [and two hundred] and seventy four to the creation…”.
“Collected” copy: The leaf indicating the contents of the book is bound (photocopied?) first, following it [4] leaves added from another copy, followed by the remaining [95] leaves of the book. A total of [100] leaves, 18.5 cm. General condition good. Replaced leaves in fair-poor condition. New ornamented leather binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
The book Tanya Rabti was comprised as a Halachic composition which served as a supplement to the prayer book as customary in Italy. It consists of a brief adaptation of the book Shvilei HaLeket, with many additions. Printed anonymously, in various editions the book was ascribed to Rabbi Yechiel son of Rabbi Asher (HaRosh) or to Rabbi Yechiel son of Rabbi Tzidkia. Printed without title page, the book is named after its first words.
Colophon: “…Sefer HaTanya was completed in the month of Sivan, year five thousand [and two hundred] and seventy four to the creation…”.
“Collected” copy: The leaf indicating the contents of the book is bound (photocopied?) first, following it [4] leaves added from another copy, followed by the remaining [95] leaves of the book. A total of [100] leaves, 18.5 cm. General condition good. Replaced leaves in fair-poor condition. New ornamented leather binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Sha'arei Teshuva by Rabeinu Yonah [Yonah son of Avraham of Gerondi]. Constantinople, [1511] printed by David and his son Shmuel Ebn Nachmias. Second edition.
The famous book of Rabeinu Yonah of Gerondi, and one of the most important books of ethics. Printed without title page. On colophon: "The work was completed in Constantinople on Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni 1511".
On book margins Dr. Mehlman wrote: "the order of leaves need to be checked".
Remnants of handwritten notes, blurred.
[40] Leaves, 18.5 cm. The first leaf is missing and substituted by photocopy. Stains. Minor moth-damage and tears with damage to text (on last two leaves large tears with part torn off) – all with impressive professional restoration. Fancy new parchment binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Very rare. Appeared in auctions just once.
The famous book of Rabeinu Yonah of Gerondi, and one of the most important books of ethics. Printed without title page. On colophon: "The work was completed in Constantinople on Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni 1511".
On book margins Dr. Mehlman wrote: "the order of leaves need to be checked".
Remnants of handwritten notes, blurred.
[40] Leaves, 18.5 cm. The first leaf is missing and substituted by photocopy. Stains. Minor moth-damage and tears with damage to text (on last two leaves large tears with part torn off) – all with impressive professional restoration. Fancy new parchment binding.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Very rare. Appeared in auctions just once.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Lot 185 Rashba's Responsa Attributed to Ramban – First Edition – Venice, 1519 – With Ancient Glosses
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
Responsa by Rabbi Moshe bar Nachman. Venice, [1519], Daniel Bomberg Printing. First edition.
A collection of questions and responsa by Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (Rashba), mistakenly attributed to the Ramban. 288 responses. In the introduction on the back of the title page, the proofreader writes: "so that truth shall not be hidden… I must inform you… these responsa that have been attributed to… Rabbi Moshe bar Nachman. But other (responsa) have passed amongst them such as the Rashba and his associates and so in many places from many rabbis who studied under him…".
The book was mistakenly attributed to the Ramban due to Siman 284, where a responsum is explicitly stated as written by the Ramban to Rabeinu Yona, but actually only this responsum was written by the Ramban while the rest are from the Rashba. (See what Rabbi Yosef Karo writes in the introduction to his book Beit Yosef: "A few of the Rashba's responsa written in a metal pen and lead in printing have come into my possession, and in the beginning of the responsa it is written that they are by the Ramban). At present, it is customary to refer to them as "The Rashba's Responsa Attributed to the Ramban".
Glosses and corrections in ancient Ashkenazi handwriting from the era of the printing press (the 16th century). A few glosses in Sefardi handwriting. Owner's inscription on the leaf before the title page (in ancient Ashkenazi handwriting), erased.
94 leaves, 24 cm. High quality light-colored paper, good condition, minor moth damage and stains. Professional restoration in margins of a number of leaves. New parchment cover. Placed in cardboard box.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
A collection of questions and responsa by Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (Rashba), mistakenly attributed to the Ramban. 288 responses. In the introduction on the back of the title page, the proofreader writes: "so that truth shall not be hidden… I must inform you… these responsa that have been attributed to… Rabbi Moshe bar Nachman. But other (responsa) have passed amongst them such as the Rashba and his associates and so in many places from many rabbis who studied under him…".
The book was mistakenly attributed to the Ramban due to Siman 284, where a responsum is explicitly stated as written by the Ramban to Rabeinu Yona, but actually only this responsum was written by the Ramban while the rest are from the Rashba. (See what Rabbi Yosef Karo writes in the introduction to his book Beit Yosef: "A few of the Rashba's responsa written in a metal pen and lead in printing have come into my possession, and in the beginning of the responsa it is written that they are by the Ramban). At present, it is customary to refer to them as "The Rashba's Responsa Attributed to the Ramban".
Glosses and corrections in ancient Ashkenazi handwriting from the era of the printing press (the 16th century). A few glosses in Sefardi handwriting. Owner's inscription on the leaf before the title page (in ancient Ashkenazi handwriting), erased.
94 leaves, 24 cm. High quality light-colored paper, good condition, minor moth damage and stains. Professional restoration in margins of a number of leaves. New parchment cover. Placed in cardboard box.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Terumat Ha-Deshen, a responsum authored and organized by Rabbi Israel Isserlin. Venice, 1519. First edition. Bomberg print.
Ink stamps. Owner’s inscription by Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Bergman from the “Batei Machasseh” in Jerusalem [grandson of Rabbi Eliezer Bergman and Rabbi Nachum of Shadik] and his family members.
Several (cut) handwritten glosses in early Oriental handwriting.
[124] leaves (Sheets 4º 1-31- missing index and title page sheets). 22.5 cm. Good-fair condition, few stains, moth damages and wear (with nearly no damage to the text). Restored leaves. Old binding with leather spine.
Ink stamps. Owner’s inscription by Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Bergman from the “Batei Machasseh” in Jerusalem [grandson of Rabbi Eliezer Bergman and Rabbi Nachum of Shadik] and his family members.
Several (cut) handwritten glosses in early Oriental handwriting.
[124] leaves (Sheets 4º 1-31- missing index and title page sheets). 22.5 cm. Good-fair condition, few stains, moth damages and wear (with nearly no damage to the text). Restored leaves. Old binding with leather spine.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $900
Sold for: $1,125
Including buyer's premium
Terumat HaDeshen, responsa of Rabbi Yisrael Isserlein. Venice, 1546. Justinian Printing. Second edition. From this edition, the book Psakim UChtavim was printed separately.
Short glosses in Italian handwriting. On Leaf 37 appears a scholarly gloss in Rabbinic-German handwriting signed "Leib Bodenheim". [A Dayan of Mannheim in 1790, see attached material]. In the volume Psakim UChtavim: signatures on title page by Rabbi Avraham Sigri and Rabbi Yehoshua Sigri [Italian scholars]. Many glosses in Italian handwriting.
Two volumes: 190 leaves; 77 leaves, [1 empty leaf]. 19 cm. Good-fair condition, some leaves have stains and restored moth damage. Volume 1 is combined of two copies. New fabric bindings.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Short glosses in Italian handwriting. On Leaf 37 appears a scholarly gloss in Rabbinic-German handwriting signed "Leib Bodenheim". [A Dayan of Mannheim in 1790, see attached material]. In the volume Psakim UChtavim: signatures on title page by Rabbi Avraham Sigri and Rabbi Yehoshua Sigri [Italian scholars]. Many glosses in Italian handwriting.
Two volumes: 190 leaves; 77 leaves, [1 empty leaf]. 19 cm. Good-fair condition, some leaves have stains and restored moth damage. Volume 1 is combined of two copies. New fabric bindings.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $700
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
Map of borders of Eretz Israel according to Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi [leaf of book on commentary of Rashi, by Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi. Venice, 1527, Daniel Bomberg Printing Press].
“Eretz Israel” written in center, East facing upward. Simple map, illustrated mainly with straight lines, squares and rectangles.
Leaf of 28.5 cm. glued upon modern paper for restoration; professionally restored damage. Folding marks.
Weintraub, map no. 8. Probably the first Hebrew map to be printed.
“Eretz Israel” written in center, East facing upward. Simple map, illustrated mainly with straight lines, squares and rectangles.
Leaf of 28.5 cm. glued upon modern paper for restoration; professionally restored damage. Folding marks.
Weintraub, map no. 8. Probably the first Hebrew map to be printed.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue
Auction 12 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
October 21, 2010
Opening: $600
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Sha'ar Hashem HaChadash, by Rabbi Shlomo Almoli. A work of Heavenly wisdom. Constantinople, [1533], Gershom Soncino Printing Press. Only edition.
The author, Rabbi Shlomo Almoli (Otzar HaRabbanim 18354), a Torah genius and expert doctor, Rabbi in Constantinople (1515), author of Halichot Shva, Shomer Emunim, Pitron Chalomot, Sefer HaShorashim HaGadol etc.
At beginning of author's introduction: "Since I saw that this book is very essential for any Jewish man, and it seemed to me… that no book was written for our nation with such a lofty subject and whose benefit is so great… therefore, I thought to print it… and afterwards I regretted it and I said that it is not fitting that things… that are so lofty should fall into the hands of one who is not fit for them… and therefore I used a strategy to print only the introduction, that every person can find it and will know of the existence of this book… but the main part of the book I shall hide…".
Handwritten notes on leaf margins, written by two people, one concludes his words: "Hashem shall rule forever, and should give us the merit to serve him… spoken by HD"P" [Apparently, "HaTza'ir (The Young) David Pardo", author of Hasdei David, Maskil L'David etc.].
[25] Leaves, 20.5 cm. Missing and substituted by high-quality photocopy: title page, Leaves 6-9, 18. Stains. Tears and minor moth damage skillfully restored. Fancy leather cover, new.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Rare. Never appeared in auctions.
The author, Rabbi Shlomo Almoli (Otzar HaRabbanim 18354), a Torah genius and expert doctor, Rabbi in Constantinople (1515), author of Halichot Shva, Shomer Emunim, Pitron Chalomot, Sefer HaShorashim HaGadol etc.
At beginning of author's introduction: "Since I saw that this book is very essential for any Jewish man, and it seemed to me… that no book was written for our nation with such a lofty subject and whose benefit is so great… therefore, I thought to print it… and afterwards I regretted it and I said that it is not fitting that things… that are so lofty should fall into the hands of one who is not fit for them… and therefore I used a strategy to print only the introduction, that every person can find it and will know of the existence of this book… but the main part of the book I shall hide…".
Handwritten notes on leaf margins, written by two people, one concludes his words: "Hashem shall rule forever, and should give us the merit to serve him… spoken by HD"P" [Apparently, "HaTza'ir (The Young) David Pardo", author of Hasdei David, Maskil L'David etc.].
[25] Leaves, 20.5 cm. Missing and substituted by high-quality photocopy: title page, Leaves 6-9, 18. Stains. Tears and minor moth damage skillfully restored. Fancy leather cover, new.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman's private collection.
Rare. Never appeared in auctions.
Category
Early printed books – Resh and Shin Years
Catalogue