Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 91 - 100 of 165
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Documenta Brevia, Quibus, Quisque Tuto Numerose, Et prompte Hebraice, vel unius Mensis spacio, legere addiscat ad Sacrae Scripturae. "Booklet for the Study of the Hebrew Alphabet and Grammar in One Month, for the Purpose of Reading of Scripture". Venice: Ioannes Calleo [Giovanni Calleoni], 1639. Latin and some Hebrew.
Booklet for learning the Hebrew alphabet and vowel marks (niqqud). The booklet begins with an introduction explaining the Hebrew letters and vowel marks, including lengthy explanations of the "shva" sign, the differences between qamatz and hataf qamatz, and more, and ends with an explanation of cantillation. As the title indicates, the booklet was intended for the rapid acquisition of the Hebrew language for the purpose of reading from the Bible.
On the title page is the printer's mark with the Hebrew verse, "And the king will desire your beauty" (see: Avraham Ya'ari, "Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvri'im" [Hebrew Printers' Marks], Jerusalem, 1944, p. 22).
[8] pp (folded sheet. Upper edges uncut), 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. The booklet has undergone thorough professional restoration. Slight damage to text in several places (open tears, repaired, to a number of places; missing piece, repaired, to margins of all the leaves). Bound in new leather binding with gilt decorations.
Not in NLI.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.
Booklet for learning the Hebrew alphabet and vowel marks (niqqud). The booklet begins with an introduction explaining the Hebrew letters and vowel marks, including lengthy explanations of the "shva" sign, the differences between qamatz and hataf qamatz, and more, and ends with an explanation of cantillation. As the title indicates, the booklet was intended for the rapid acquisition of the Hebrew language for the purpose of reading from the Bible.
On the title page is the printer's mark with the Hebrew verse, "And the king will desire your beauty" (see: Avraham Ya'ari, "Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvri'im" [Hebrew Printers' Marks], Jerusalem, 1944, p. 22).
[8] pp (folded sheet. Upper edges uncut), 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. The booklet has undergone thorough professional restoration. Slight damage to text in several places (open tears, repaired, to a number of places; missing piece, repaired, to margins of all the leaves). Bound in new leather binding with gilt decorations.
Not in NLI.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $5,000
Unsold
Mikveh Israel, Esto es Esperanca de Israel, by Menasseh Ben Israel. Amsterdam: Semuel Ben Israel Soeiro (son of Menasseh Ben Israel), 5410 [1650]. First edition. Spanish and some Hebrew.
In this work, Menasseh Ben Israel addresses the subject of the ten lost tribes of Israel, their identification with the Indians of South America, and his understanding of Redemption. Cited in the beginning is the testimony of the Portuguese Marrano descendant Antonio De Montesinos (Aharon Levi), who claimed that on his travels to South America he encountered Indian tribes that observed a number of Jewish customs, and that they were the descendants of the tribes of Reuben and Levi. The work goes on to cite additional testimonies from research and travel books, and contains a discussion on the issue of Redemption, based on a view that associates Jewish settlement of all corners of the globe with the coming of the Messiah. A short time after the publication of the Spanish work, a Latin translation was published. The Latin version contained an additional introduction addressing the English parliament, as part of Ben Israel's efforts to convince the English authorities to allow the Jews to return to England.
The title page has typographic variations in comparison to other copies of this book.
[7] leaves, 126 pp, 15.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and creases. Small tears to leaf margins (including small open tears to upper corners of some leaves). Margins cut near the edge of the upper title on some of the leaves. Lower margins cut and missing on four leaves (without damage to text). On the last eight leaves, the lower margins are missing, restored with paper substitutions. The title page is reinforced with acid-free adhesive tape. The following leaf is partly detached and its margins are torn. Markings and inscriptions in handwriting (ancient) on a number of leaves. Original vellum binding (slightly damaged). New endpapers.
In this work, Menasseh Ben Israel addresses the subject of the ten lost tribes of Israel, their identification with the Indians of South America, and his understanding of Redemption. Cited in the beginning is the testimony of the Portuguese Marrano descendant Antonio De Montesinos (Aharon Levi), who claimed that on his travels to South America he encountered Indian tribes that observed a number of Jewish customs, and that they were the descendants of the tribes of Reuben and Levi. The work goes on to cite additional testimonies from research and travel books, and contains a discussion on the issue of Redemption, based on a view that associates Jewish settlement of all corners of the globe with the coming of the Messiah. A short time after the publication of the Spanish work, a Latin translation was published. The Latin version contained an additional introduction addressing the English parliament, as part of Ben Israel's efforts to convince the English authorities to allow the Jews to return to England.
The title page has typographic variations in comparison to other copies of this book.
[7] leaves, 126 pp, 15.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and creases. Small tears to leaf margins (including small open tears to upper corners of some leaves). Margins cut near the edge of the upper title on some of the leaves. Lower margins cut and missing on four leaves (without damage to text). On the last eight leaves, the lower margins are missing, restored with paper substitutions. The title page is reinforced with acid-free adhesive tape. The following leaf is partly detached and its margins are torn. Markings and inscriptions in handwriting (ancient) on a number of leaves. Original vellum binding (slightly damaged). New endpapers.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $7,000
Unsold
Il Sabathai o vero il finto Messia degli Hebrei, che nell'anno 1666 si dichiarò Maumettano in Costantinopoli [Sabathai that is the fake Messiah of the Jews, who in 1666 declared himself Mohammedan in Constantinople]. Printed "in Viterbo, and again in Napoli, for Francesco Paci" (In Viterbo, e di nuovo in Napoli, per Gio: Francesko Paci), 1671. Italian.
Early biographical work surveying in detail the life of Sabbatai Zevi, until his conversion to Islam in 1666. The work was written during the lifetime of Sabbatai Zevi, and its author is unknown. Some scholars have attributed the work to Carlo Alfano, while others attributed it to Freidrich Ragstat von Weile (a Jew who converted to Christianity). Throughout the work, the author refers to events he witnessed himself; his words suggest he was a Jesuit. Printed at the beginning of the work is a dedication from the Italian publisher, Domenico Antonio Parrino.
60 pp, 14 cm. Good condition. Numerous stains. The top part (about a third) of one of the leaves (pp. 37-38) is torn and missing. A number of markings in ink and inscriptions on the last page (ancient). Vellum binding.
Rare. The work's first edition was printed ca. 1669, and only a few copies of it are known to exist [in his book "Sabbatai Sevi: The Mystical Messiah", Gershom Scholem mentions that he had not laid eyes on the work by Carlo Alfano, printed in Viterbo]. The present edition (the work's second) is also rare. Only one copy appears in OCLC.
See:
Between Information and Proselytism: Seventeenth-Century Italian Texts on Sabbatai Zevi, their Various Editions and their Circulation, in Print and Manuscript, by Stefano Villani. In: Da'at, a Journal of Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah, no. 82, 2016. English.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.
Early biographical work surveying in detail the life of Sabbatai Zevi, until his conversion to Islam in 1666. The work was written during the lifetime of Sabbatai Zevi, and its author is unknown. Some scholars have attributed the work to Carlo Alfano, while others attributed it to Freidrich Ragstat von Weile (a Jew who converted to Christianity). Throughout the work, the author refers to events he witnessed himself; his words suggest he was a Jesuit. Printed at the beginning of the work is a dedication from the Italian publisher, Domenico Antonio Parrino.
60 pp, 14 cm. Good condition. Numerous stains. The top part (about a third) of one of the leaves (pp. 37-38) is torn and missing. A number of markings in ink and inscriptions on the last page (ancient). Vellum binding.
Rare. The work's first edition was printed ca. 1669, and only a few copies of it are known to exist [in his book "Sabbatai Sevi: The Mystical Messiah", Gershom Scholem mentions that he had not laid eyes on the work by Carlo Alfano, printed in Viterbo]. The present edition (the work's second) is also rare. Only one copy appears in OCLC.
See:
Between Information and Proselytism: Seventeenth-Century Italian Texts on Sabbatai Zevi, their Various Editions and their Circulation, in Print and Manuscript, by Stefano Villani. In: Da'at, a Journal of Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah, no. 82, 2016. English.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $3,000
Unsold
Las Excelencias de los Hebreos ["The Virtues of the Hebrews"], by Isaac Cardoso. Amsterdam: David de Castro Tartas, 1679. Spanish. First edition.
An important apologetic work on Jewish religion, by physician and philosopher Isaac Cardoso, the descendant of a Portuguese Marrano family.
The work contains two parts: the first describes the virtues and unique characteristics of the Jewish people, discussing, among other things, the Jewish people's identity as the Chosen People and its attributes. The second part debunks anti-Jewish defamations and libels, including a chapter devoted to the widespread blood libel claiming that Jews use the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes. As part of an expanded discussion on the Jewish religion, the author also discusses his personal experience and his choice to live as a Jew.
The author, Isaac (Fernando) Cardoso (1603/4-1683) was born in Portugal to a Marrano family. His brother, Abraham Michael (Miguel) Cardoso, was one of the leading philosophers of the Sabbatean movement. Cardoso studied medicine and philosophy in Salamanca, Spain. After a period working as a physician in Valladolid, he moved to Madrid, where he served as a physician in the court of King Philip IV. For many years he lived outwardly as a Christian, yet when he chose to leave Spain and move to Italy (apparently due to fear of the Inquisition), he began to practice his Judaism openly. Upon reaching Italy, Cardoso settled in the Sephardi Jewish community of Venice. In 1653 he moved to Verona, where he served as the Jewish community's doctor until his death in 1683.
The first title page shows a woodcut with a hand emerging from the sky and gathering flowers, surmounted by an inscription reading "el que me esparsio me recogera" [He who was scattered me will gather me]. The second part has a separate title page, also decorated with a woodcut and inscribed with the words, "Ellos Maldiziran y yo Bendizire" [They shall curse and I shall bless]. At the beginning of the work are dedication pages to Jacob de Pinto, a Dutch Jew of Portuguese descent and a member of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Amsterdam at the time.
[4] leaves, 331 pp, [1] leaf, 333-431 pp (two columns per page), 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Worming to top part of most of the leaves (with slight damage to text on a number of leaves). Stains and dampstains throughout the book. A number of tears to leaf margins. Some markings in pencil. Ancient vellum binding, slightly distorted, with tears and stains.
An important apologetic work on Jewish religion, by physician and philosopher Isaac Cardoso, the descendant of a Portuguese Marrano family.
The work contains two parts: the first describes the virtues and unique characteristics of the Jewish people, discussing, among other things, the Jewish people's identity as the Chosen People and its attributes. The second part debunks anti-Jewish defamations and libels, including a chapter devoted to the widespread blood libel claiming that Jews use the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes. As part of an expanded discussion on the Jewish religion, the author also discusses his personal experience and his choice to live as a Jew.
The author, Isaac (Fernando) Cardoso (1603/4-1683) was born in Portugal to a Marrano family. His brother, Abraham Michael (Miguel) Cardoso, was one of the leading philosophers of the Sabbatean movement. Cardoso studied medicine and philosophy in Salamanca, Spain. After a period working as a physician in Valladolid, he moved to Madrid, where he served as a physician in the court of King Philip IV. For many years he lived outwardly as a Christian, yet when he chose to leave Spain and move to Italy (apparently due to fear of the Inquisition), he began to practice his Judaism openly. Upon reaching Italy, Cardoso settled in the Sephardi Jewish community of Venice. In 1653 he moved to Verona, where he served as the Jewish community's doctor until his death in 1683.
The first title page shows a woodcut with a hand emerging from the sky and gathering flowers, surmounted by an inscription reading "el que me esparsio me recogera" [He who was scattered me will gather me]. The second part has a separate title page, also decorated with a woodcut and inscribed with the words, "Ellos Maldiziran y yo Bendizire" [They shall curse and I shall bless]. At the beginning of the work are dedication pages to Jacob de Pinto, a Dutch Jew of Portuguese descent and a member of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Amsterdam at the time.
[4] leaves, 331 pp, [1] leaf, 333-431 pp (two columns per page), 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Worming to top part of most of the leaves (with slight damage to text on a number of leaves). Stains and dampstains throughout the book. A number of tears to leaf margins. Some markings in pencil. Ancient vellum binding, slightly distorted, with tears and stains.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $4,000
Unsold
Sefer Shire ha-shirim asher le-Shelomoh ben Gabirol / Carmina Sancta, Salomonis Ibn Gabirol - Book of Poems by Solomon ibn Gabirol. Paris, 1868.
Printed from manuscripts and books from the collection of Rabbi Naftali Hertz Gunzburg, son of the Russian-Jewish banker and philanthropist Joseph Gunzburg (head of the Gunzburg family) and father of Baron David Gunzburg. Revised, punctuated and with commentary (including "Haskalot BeDivrei Razal U'Midrasheihem") by Senior Sachs (hired by Baron Joseph Gunzburg as tutor for his son Naftali, and as administrator of the baron's library).
Copy printed on parchment.
[7], 167, [1] pp, 20.5 cm. Good overall condition. Dampness damage to lower margins. Small tears to margins of two of the first leaves. Parchment leaves in different hues. Creases. New endpapers and binding.
NLI does not hold a parchment copy.
Printed from manuscripts and books from the collection of Rabbi Naftali Hertz Gunzburg, son of the Russian-Jewish banker and philanthropist Joseph Gunzburg (head of the Gunzburg family) and father of Baron David Gunzburg. Revised, punctuated and with commentary (including "Haskalot BeDivrei Razal U'Midrasheihem") by Senior Sachs (hired by Baron Joseph Gunzburg as tutor for his son Naftali, and as administrator of the baron's library).
Copy printed on parchment.
[7], 167, [1] pp, 20.5 cm. Good overall condition. Dampness damage to lower margins. Small tears to margins of two of the first leaves. Parchment leaves in different hues. Creases. New endpapers and binding.
NLI does not hold a parchment copy.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $4,000
Unsold
Portrait of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, the "Chacham Tzvi". [Holland, 18th or 19th century].
Watercolor and ink on paper; ink on parchment.
High-quality portrait of the "Chacham Tzvi", rendered precisely after an etching printed in Amsterdam during his lifetime. Accompanying the portrait is a piece of parchment bearing an interesting handwritten inscription by Jacob ben Chaim Berklau / Berkelo of Holland, in which he relates that the Chacham Tzvi was the sandak and mohel of his grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel ben Tzvi Berklau, in the year 5472 [1712], adding that "In the year 5474 he [the Chacham Tzvi] went away… and before going he blessed [my grandfather]… that he may live a long life… and leave a blessing behind him, and so it was".
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi (1660-1718) was the rabbi of the Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbeck communities, and the chief rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam. He passed through many communities in Germany and Poland and also served as a rabbi in Lviv. He wrote the responsa "Chacham Tzvi". His son, Rabbi Jacob Emden, known as the Ya'avetz, relates that during his father's visit to England, his portrait was painted in secret in oil colors, in a precise fashion, so much so that when seeing the painting "I staggered back, as if he were standing before me". He adds that from this painting, "reproductions were made… that sold for a high price".
Portrait: 24X34.5 cm, parchment piece: 6X18.5 cm. Good overall condition. The portrait is inserted in a passe-partout, with the piece of parchment attached to the external side. A few stains to portrait. Stains and creases to parchment.
Watercolor and ink on paper; ink on parchment.
High-quality portrait of the "Chacham Tzvi", rendered precisely after an etching printed in Amsterdam during his lifetime. Accompanying the portrait is a piece of parchment bearing an interesting handwritten inscription by Jacob ben Chaim Berklau / Berkelo of Holland, in which he relates that the Chacham Tzvi was the sandak and mohel of his grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel ben Tzvi Berklau, in the year 5472 [1712], adding that "In the year 5474 he [the Chacham Tzvi] went away… and before going he blessed [my grandfather]… that he may live a long life… and leave a blessing behind him, and so it was".
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi (1660-1718) was the rabbi of the Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbeck communities, and the chief rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam. He passed through many communities in Germany and Poland and also served as a rabbi in Lviv. He wrote the responsa "Chacham Tzvi". His son, Rabbi Jacob Emden, known as the Ya'avetz, relates that during his father's visit to England, his portrait was painted in secret in oil colors, in a precise fashion, so much so that when seeing the painting "I staggered back, as if he were standing before me". He adds that from this painting, "reproductions were made… that sold for a high price".
Portrait: 24X34.5 cm, parchment piece: 6X18.5 cm. Good overall condition. The portrait is inserted in a passe-partout, with the piece of parchment attached to the external side. A few stains to portrait. Stains and creases to parchment.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $3,000
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Portrait of R. Shlomo Shalem (Solomon Salem), engraving by Boyly, after Benjamin Samuel Bolomey. [Holland, second half of the 18th century].
Portrait of R. Shlomo Shalem, holding his book Shoneh Halachot. Caption under the portrait: "Likeness of the sage, the excellent Dayan R. Shlomo Shalem, Rabbi and posek in the Talmud Torah community of Amsterdam and leader of the Belgrade community". Under the caption is a poem praising R. Shlomo.
Leaf, 25X36 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (some dark). Several tears (some affecting engraving). Margins glued to acid-free paper; framed in a passe-partout.
Rubens, A Jewish Iconography (London, 1981), no. 2195.
* Enclosed: an identical hand-colored engraving, with a floral frame glued on its margins (cut green paper strips).
Leaf, approximately 30X38 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Dark-hued margins. Several open tears to margins.
R. Shlomo Shalem (1708-1781), was born in Adrianople (Turkey) and raised in Salonika. Served as Rabbi of various Bulgarian cities. First in Berkovitsa near Vidin, afterward in Vidin itself and later was appointed Rabbi of the capital city, Sofia. For medical reasons he travelled westwards, and on his way to Vienna passed through Belgrade. The Belgrade Jewish community begged him to stay and serve as rabbi, and he acquiesced to their request stipulating that he first continue his journey to seek medical attention. He spent a while in Vienna and then returned to Belgrade. Late in 1760, R. Shalem traveled to Amsterdam to print his book. At that time, the position of rabbi of the Amsterdam Portuguese community was vacant, and the community's leaders sought the appropriate candidate to fill the position. Among others, the appointment was offered to the Chida and to R. Chaim Abulafia, however, upon the arrival of R. Shalem, they decided to appoint him to the position. Late in 1761, R. Shalem printed his book Shoneh Halachot in Amsterdam, and simultaneously was appointed as Rabbi of the Amsterdam Portuguese community. Nevertheless, he continued to mention Belgrade in his signature (similarly it appears in the caption on this engraving). His 20-year tenure in the Amsterdam rabbinate culminated at his death in 1781. His other books are: Lev Shalem and Divrei Shlomo. [See: R. Shlomo ben Yechiel Shalem, his rise to the rabbinate in the Talmud Torah community of Amsterdam. Studies on the history of Dutch Jewry 5 (1988), pp. 113-133].
Portrait of R. Shlomo Shalem, holding his book Shoneh Halachot. Caption under the portrait: "Likeness of the sage, the excellent Dayan R. Shlomo Shalem, Rabbi and posek in the Talmud Torah community of Amsterdam and leader of the Belgrade community". Under the caption is a poem praising R. Shlomo.
Leaf, 25X36 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (some dark). Several tears (some affecting engraving). Margins glued to acid-free paper; framed in a passe-partout.
Rubens, A Jewish Iconography (London, 1981), no. 2195.
* Enclosed: an identical hand-colored engraving, with a floral frame glued on its margins (cut green paper strips).
Leaf, approximately 30X38 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Dark-hued margins. Several open tears to margins.
R. Shlomo Shalem (1708-1781), was born in Adrianople (Turkey) and raised in Salonika. Served as Rabbi of various Bulgarian cities. First in Berkovitsa near Vidin, afterward in Vidin itself and later was appointed Rabbi of the capital city, Sofia. For medical reasons he travelled westwards, and on his way to Vienna passed through Belgrade. The Belgrade Jewish community begged him to stay and serve as rabbi, and he acquiesced to their request stipulating that he first continue his journey to seek medical attention. He spent a while in Vienna and then returned to Belgrade. Late in 1760, R. Shalem traveled to Amsterdam to print his book. At that time, the position of rabbi of the Amsterdam Portuguese community was vacant, and the community's leaders sought the appropriate candidate to fill the position. Among others, the appointment was offered to the Chida and to R. Chaim Abulafia, however, upon the arrival of R. Shalem, they decided to appoint him to the position. Late in 1761, R. Shalem printed his book Shoneh Halachot in Amsterdam, and simultaneously was appointed as Rabbi of the Amsterdam Portuguese community. Nevertheless, he continued to mention Belgrade in his signature (similarly it appears in the caption on this engraving). His 20-year tenure in the Amsterdam rabbinate culminated at his death in 1781. His other books are: Lev Shalem and Divrei Shlomo. [See: R. Shlomo ben Yechiel Shalem, his rise to the rabbinate in the Talmud Torah community of Amsterdam. Studies on the history of Dutch Jewry 5 (1988), pp. 113-133].
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $2,500
Unsold
"Yom Kippur Service, 5631, At a Camp Near Metz" [Hebrew]. [Germany, ca. 1880]. German and Hebrew. Cotton cloth; print.
A print in bright black and red colors, intended for hanging. Depicted in the center of the print is a large group of soldiers praying around a platform during the French-Russian War (1870-1871). Printed at the top is the verse, "Have we not all one father? Has not one G-d created us?" (Malachi 2:10). The four corners are printed with a rhyming German poem whose subject, among other things, is the involvement of Jews in the war, having enlisted in the army out of concern for their German brethren rather than from coercion or necessity.
Fine copy.
Approx. 68X68 cm. Good condition. Unraveling to top and bottom margins. Folding marks. Some stains.
A print in bright black and red colors, intended for hanging. Depicted in the center of the print is a large group of soldiers praying around a platform during the French-Russian War (1870-1871). Printed at the top is the verse, "Have we not all one father? Has not one G-d created us?" (Malachi 2:10). The four corners are printed with a rhyming German poem whose subject, among other things, is the involvement of Jews in the war, having enlisted in the army out of concern for their German brethren rather than from coercion or necessity.
Fine copy.
Approx. 68X68 cm. Good condition. Unraveling to top and bottom margins. Folding marks. Some stains.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $8,000
Unsold
Large micrographic print made by Levi van Gelder; hand-colored. [New York, ca. 1865]. English and some Hebrew.
Impressive and detailed print incorporating dozens of medallions with Biblical illustrations, texts from the Bible and from the prayers for the Days of Awe, written in fine micrographic writing (English and Hebrew), and a number of attached pieces of paper, printed in red and gold (collage).
The scenes in the print include Jonah hurled into the sea, the vision of Zechariah, Isaac blessing Jacob, Jacob's dream, Moses with the Tablets of the Law, the Israelites collecting manna, Elijah's ascent to heaven, and more.
Due to the artist's affiliation with the Freemason movement, many of his works incorporate elements related to the movement. This print incorporates, in one of the upper medallions, alongside the pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the symbol of the Freemasons (the square and compasses), the "Eye of Providence", and other Masonic symbols.
Levi David van Gelder (1816-1878) was born in Amsterdam and worked there as a printer. Among the graphic works he created in Amsterdam we know of at least four "Mizrachs", made in Van Gelder's unique style - a meticulous micrographic work incorporating texts and illustrations alongside large text-boxes (sometimes on attached pieces of paper). In the early 1860s (ca. 1860-1864) Van Gelder immigrated with his family to the U.S., where he created the present print. In this print and in other works he created in the U.S., he incorporated English texts (unlike the works he created in Amsterdam, which he printed in Dutch, at times with some Hebrew. See next item).
Approx. 118X90 cm. Fair-good condition. Tears in several places (some professionally repaired, with minor damages to text and illustrations). Stains. The margins are mounted on acid-free paper and glues to a linen sheet. Framed.
Impressive and detailed print incorporating dozens of medallions with Biblical illustrations, texts from the Bible and from the prayers for the Days of Awe, written in fine micrographic writing (English and Hebrew), and a number of attached pieces of paper, printed in red and gold (collage).
The scenes in the print include Jonah hurled into the sea, the vision of Zechariah, Isaac blessing Jacob, Jacob's dream, Moses with the Tablets of the Law, the Israelites collecting manna, Elijah's ascent to heaven, and more.
Due to the artist's affiliation with the Freemason movement, many of his works incorporate elements related to the movement. This print incorporates, in one of the upper medallions, alongside the pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the symbol of the Freemasons (the square and compasses), the "Eye of Providence", and other Masonic symbols.
Levi David van Gelder (1816-1878) was born in Amsterdam and worked there as a printer. Among the graphic works he created in Amsterdam we know of at least four "Mizrachs", made in Van Gelder's unique style - a meticulous micrographic work incorporating texts and illustrations alongside large text-boxes (sometimes on attached pieces of paper). In the early 1860s (ca. 1860-1864) Van Gelder immigrated with his family to the U.S., where he created the present print. In this print and in other works he created in the U.S., he incorporated English texts (unlike the works he created in Amsterdam, which he printed in Dutch, at times with some Hebrew. See next item).
Approx. 118X90 cm. Fair-good condition. Tears in several places (some professionally repaired, with minor damages to text and illustrations). Stains. The margins are mounted on acid-free paper and glues to a linen sheet. Framed.
Catalogue
Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items
October 31, 2017
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Micrographic lithograph made by Levi van Gelder. Amsterdam, 1845. Dutch and some Hebrew. Signed in lower margin, described "Amsterdam" and dated. Dutch and some Hebrew.
Meticulous and dense micrographic work on the subject of Rosh HaShana and the Days of Awe (High Holy Days). The texts include citations from the prayers for the Days of Awe and Bible verses in Dutch, and are accompanied by allegorical illustrations related, in part, to the customs and traditions of Rosh HaShana (the Books of the Righteous and of the Wicked that are opened on Rosh HaShana; scales of justice; King David and his lyre, and more). The bottom half of the micrograph describes the zodiac. Although most of the texts are in Dutch, the lithograph contains some words and verses in Hebrew, and a number of Hebrew words in Latin letters ("Amen Sela" and "Tseba'ot".)
For more information on Levi van Gelder, see previous item.
A copy of this lithograph is in the collection of the Museum of Jewish History in Amsterdam, where it is catalogued as a "Mizrah" plaque (item no. M001755).
59.5X76 cm. Good condition. Paper strips attached to margins. Light tears to corners and margins, some reinforced (on reverse) with adhesive tape. Slightly darkened paper (mostly on reverse). The signature and details handwritten in the bottom margin are partially erased.
Meticulous and dense micrographic work on the subject of Rosh HaShana and the Days of Awe (High Holy Days). The texts include citations from the prayers for the Days of Awe and Bible verses in Dutch, and are accompanied by allegorical illustrations related, in part, to the customs and traditions of Rosh HaShana (the Books of the Righteous and of the Wicked that are opened on Rosh HaShana; scales of justice; King David and his lyre, and more). The bottom half of the micrograph describes the zodiac. Although most of the texts are in Dutch, the lithograph contains some words and verses in Hebrew, and a number of Hebrew words in Latin letters ("Amen Sela" and "Tseba'ot".)
For more information on Levi van Gelder, see previous item.
A copy of this lithograph is in the collection of the Museum of Jewish History in Amsterdam, where it is catalogued as a "Mizrah" plaque (item no. M001755).
59.5X76 cm. Good condition. Paper strips attached to margins. Light tears to corners and margins, some reinforced (on reverse) with adhesive tape. Slightly darkened paper (mostly on reverse). The signature and details handwritten in the bottom margin are partially erased.
Catalogue