Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Displaying 1 - 12 of 49
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
1. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Luzatto, to the scholar Meir Halevi Letteris. Padua, November 1847.
Shadal writes in this letter sharp statements against Spinoza, in response to an article in favor of Spinoza written by Letteris and published in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim": "I am Jewish… don't you see that this man expels the human being from mercy and pity and is therefore the enemy of humanity, and there is no Satan who will harm society more than him, and whoever speaks for his virtues and leads the young people to read his book, is corrupting society…". Shadal signed in initials with the citation: "the left hand drive sinners away" (Hebrew).
Meir Halevi Letteris (1800-1871) - member of the enlightenment movement in Galicia and Austria, poet, author and translator.
[1] folded leaf, 27 cm, written on both sides of the leaf. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the opening of the letter, on which Shadal wrote about the letter - name of the receiver, date etc. Creases, stains and folding marks. Open tear, repaired.
2. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Lussatto, to Rabbi Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport (Shir). September 1849.
Shadal writes at great length about the 1848 revolutions in Padua, about the birth of his son Joseph, and mentions his scholarly work. At the end of the letter Shadal cites from a letter sent to him. It seems that the letter is not complete.
Shir (Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport, 1790-1867) - one of the founders of "Chochmat Israel" movement and of the enlightenment movement in Galicia, Rabbi of Tarnopol and Prague.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 33 cm. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the heading of the letter, on which Shadal wrote information about the letter - name of receiver, date etc. Fair-good condition. Tears and creases at margins. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Shadal writes in this letter sharp statements against Spinoza, in response to an article in favor of Spinoza written by Letteris and published in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim": "I am Jewish… don't you see that this man expels the human being from mercy and pity and is therefore the enemy of humanity, and there is no Satan who will harm society more than him, and whoever speaks for his virtues and leads the young people to read his book, is corrupting society…". Shadal signed in initials with the citation: "the left hand drive sinners away" (Hebrew).
Meir Halevi Letteris (1800-1871) - member of the enlightenment movement in Galicia and Austria, poet, author and translator.
[1] folded leaf, 27 cm, written on both sides of the leaf. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the opening of the letter, on which Shadal wrote about the letter - name of the receiver, date etc. Creases, stains and folding marks. Open tear, repaired.
2. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Lussatto, to Rabbi Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport (Shir). September 1849.
Shadal writes at great length about the 1848 revolutions in Padua, about the birth of his son Joseph, and mentions his scholarly work. At the end of the letter Shadal cites from a letter sent to him. It seems that the letter is not complete.
Shir (Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport, 1790-1867) - one of the founders of "Chochmat Israel" movement and of the enlightenment movement in Galicia, Rabbi of Tarnopol and Prague.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 33 cm. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the heading of the letter, on which Shadal wrote information about the letter - name of receiver, date etc. Fair-good condition. Tears and creases at margins. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
A collection of some 28 printed items by Shadal. Italy, first half of 19th century (ca. 1825-1859). Hebrew and Italian.
A collection which includes early compositions and poems by Shadal, bound together in a paper cover (possibly bound by Shadal himself). Among the items:
* Eulogy upon the death of R. Avraham Eliezer Halevi, 1825 (Hebrew-Italian). * Poem in honor of the visit of the Austrian Prince in Trieste, 1819. * Poems in honor of Franz Joseph, 1854, 1856. * Poems in honor of the Austrian Monarchy, in several languages, 1853. * Wedding poem for the Morpurgo-Segre families, Trieste, 1826. * Poems in honor of Shlomo Lo-Ly / Lolli, Padua, 1850, Gorizia, 1842. * Wedding poem for Viterbi-Loria family, 1847. * Eulogy upon the death of Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, Rabbi of Padua (Padua, 1852). * Hebrew-Aramaic wedding poem in honor of Avraham Shalom's wedding, 1855. * Bibliographic study about De-Rossi, 1857. * Composition about Dante, 1844. * Printed pamphlet, "Hosafot meHaRav HaChacham Shadal", 1859. * Introduction to a Machzor according to the Roman rite, Livorno, [1856]. * Calendar for 2000 years edited by Shadal. * Dissertazione Ermeneutico-Critica sopra la parafrasi aramaica di Onkelos desunta dagli scritti - dissertation by Shadal about sayings in Targum Onkelos (no date of printing; not in NLI), and some other printed items.
Enclosed:
* Italian translation of the Ketubah recording the marriage of Rachel Luzatto (Shadal's sister) with Marco Koen / Coen, Trieste, October 1829, signed by the groom, the bride, and the bride's brother - Shadal.
* Pamphlet written by hand (unknown writer), Italian translation of the first ten chapters of Shmuel I. [Italy], June 1865. [32] handwritten pages (numbered 187-218), 21.5 cm. Stains.
* Two pamphlets written by hand by the author and scholar Avraham Kahana, composition about Shadal (26; 20 pp).
* Two pamphlets handwritten by Yitzchak Haim Castiglioni - translation of "Toldot HaLashon HaIvrit" by Shadal (published under the title "Toldot Leshon Ever" in Krakow in 1895).
* Several handwritten letters.
Size and condition vary. Some single leaves are in a large format, folded. Tears at margins. Creases. Stains. Margins of cover are worn and creased.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
A collection which includes early compositions and poems by Shadal, bound together in a paper cover (possibly bound by Shadal himself). Among the items:
* Eulogy upon the death of R. Avraham Eliezer Halevi, 1825 (Hebrew-Italian). * Poem in honor of the visit of the Austrian Prince in Trieste, 1819. * Poems in honor of Franz Joseph, 1854, 1856. * Poems in honor of the Austrian Monarchy, in several languages, 1853. * Wedding poem for the Morpurgo-Segre families, Trieste, 1826. * Poems in honor of Shlomo Lo-Ly / Lolli, Padua, 1850, Gorizia, 1842. * Wedding poem for Viterbi-Loria family, 1847. * Eulogy upon the death of Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, Rabbi of Padua (Padua, 1852). * Hebrew-Aramaic wedding poem in honor of Avraham Shalom's wedding, 1855. * Bibliographic study about De-Rossi, 1857. * Composition about Dante, 1844. * Printed pamphlet, "Hosafot meHaRav HaChacham Shadal", 1859. * Introduction to a Machzor according to the Roman rite, Livorno, [1856]. * Calendar for 2000 years edited by Shadal. * Dissertazione Ermeneutico-Critica sopra la parafrasi aramaica di Onkelos desunta dagli scritti - dissertation by Shadal about sayings in Targum Onkelos (no date of printing; not in NLI), and some other printed items.
Enclosed:
* Italian translation of the Ketubah recording the marriage of Rachel Luzatto (Shadal's sister) with Marco Koen / Coen, Trieste, October 1829, signed by the groom, the bride, and the bride's brother - Shadal.
* Pamphlet written by hand (unknown writer), Italian translation of the first ten chapters of Shmuel I. [Italy], June 1865. [32] handwritten pages (numbered 187-218), 21.5 cm. Stains.
* Two pamphlets written by hand by the author and scholar Avraham Kahana, composition about Shadal (26; 20 pp).
* Two pamphlets handwritten by Yitzchak Haim Castiglioni - translation of "Toldot HaLashon HaIvrit" by Shadal (published under the title "Toldot Leshon Ever" in Krakow in 1895).
* Several handwritten letters.
Size and condition vary. Some single leaves are in a large format, folded. Tears at margins. Creases. Stains. Margins of cover are worn and creased.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $1,800
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
About 90 handwritten letters sent to Shmuel David Luzatto by scholars and poets, linguists, commentators and intellectuals of the Enlightenment Movement. [Europe, first half of 19th century - most letters are from 1830s-40s].
A large collection of letters about research, copying of manuscripts, debates, scholarly comments about the bible and other compositions, sent to Shadal (1800-1865) - a member of the Jewish Enlightenment movement, one of the first scholars of "Chochmat Israel", head of Rabbinic Seminary in Padua, poet, biblical commentator, linguist, philosopher, researcher and translator.
The collection includes:
* 14 letters from the researcher and historian Ya'akov Reifman + a pamphlet in his handwriting + 2 letters from Reifman addressed to Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, Rabbi of Padua. * 15 letters from Yehushua Höschel Schorr, one of the most extreme Haskala scholars in Galicia (some letters are particularly long). * 3 letters from Adam Hacohen Lebensohn (pen-name of Avraham Dov-Ber Michailishker, first Hebrew poet in the Russian Enlightenment movement, a pioneer of new Hebrew literature and one of the leaders of the enlightenment movement in Lithuania) + a letter from his disciple, Yosef Noah Vilkover + letter from his son, Micha Yosef Hacohen (Michal). * 6 letters from Raphael Kirchheim. * 7 letters from Shaul Yitzchak Kampf. * 17 letters from Shlomo Zalman ben Gottlieb (Salomon Gottlieb) Stern ("Kochav Tov"). * 7 letters from Yitzchak Rietenberg. * 2 letters from Yissachar Ber Blumenfeld. * 5 letters from Itzek (Yitzchak) Blumenfeld. * 2 letters from Shimon Santo. * As well as several letters from Shmuel Shoenblum, David Halevi, Ya'akov Halevi, Gabriel Rosenthal from Komarno, Moshe Reicherson, Mordechai Hacohen (Marcus Stum), Julius Fürst, Hirsch Mendel Pineles and Zelig Leib (Leopold) Schick.
In some of the letters the writers mention outstanding personalities of the period, like, for example, Rabbi Prof. Hillel Della Torre, Avraham Firkovich and Yom Tov Lipman Zunz. Many letters include copies of poems or literary passages, piyyutim, missives etc. On top of part of the letters appears the number of the reply letter sent by Shadal to the writer, as it is numbered in "Igrot Shadal").
Enclosed: envelope from Adam Hacohen; title page and pages with table of contents of booklet no. 3 of "Hechalutz"; two letters from Shadal's grandson, I. A. Luzatto, which accompanied the above letters (apparently, sent to the researcher Avraham Kahana): "please have… letters from the sages of this generation sent to my grandfather Shadal…".
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Most letters are folded. Tears or defects to some of the letters as a result of ink erosion. Some stains. Worming to some letters.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
A large collection of letters about research, copying of manuscripts, debates, scholarly comments about the bible and other compositions, sent to Shadal (1800-1865) - a member of the Jewish Enlightenment movement, one of the first scholars of "Chochmat Israel", head of Rabbinic Seminary in Padua, poet, biblical commentator, linguist, philosopher, researcher and translator.
The collection includes:
* 14 letters from the researcher and historian Ya'akov Reifman + a pamphlet in his handwriting + 2 letters from Reifman addressed to Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi, Rabbi of Padua. * 15 letters from Yehushua Höschel Schorr, one of the most extreme Haskala scholars in Galicia (some letters are particularly long). * 3 letters from Adam Hacohen Lebensohn (pen-name of Avraham Dov-Ber Michailishker, first Hebrew poet in the Russian Enlightenment movement, a pioneer of new Hebrew literature and one of the leaders of the enlightenment movement in Lithuania) + a letter from his disciple, Yosef Noah Vilkover + letter from his son, Micha Yosef Hacohen (Michal). * 6 letters from Raphael Kirchheim. * 7 letters from Shaul Yitzchak Kampf. * 17 letters from Shlomo Zalman ben Gottlieb (Salomon Gottlieb) Stern ("Kochav Tov"). * 7 letters from Yitzchak Rietenberg. * 2 letters from Yissachar Ber Blumenfeld. * 5 letters from Itzek (Yitzchak) Blumenfeld. * 2 letters from Shimon Santo. * As well as several letters from Shmuel Shoenblum, David Halevi, Ya'akov Halevi, Gabriel Rosenthal from Komarno, Moshe Reicherson, Mordechai Hacohen (Marcus Stum), Julius Fürst, Hirsch Mendel Pineles and Zelig Leib (Leopold) Schick.
In some of the letters the writers mention outstanding personalities of the period, like, for example, Rabbi Prof. Hillel Della Torre, Avraham Firkovich and Yom Tov Lipman Zunz. Many letters include copies of poems or literary passages, piyyutim, missives etc. On top of part of the letters appears the number of the reply letter sent by Shadal to the writer, as it is numbered in "Igrot Shadal").
Enclosed: envelope from Adam Hacohen; title page and pages with table of contents of booklet no. 3 of "Hechalutz"; two letters from Shadal's grandson, I. A. Luzatto, which accompanied the above letters (apparently, sent to the researcher Avraham Kahana): "please have… letters from the sages of this generation sent to my grandfather Shadal…".
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Most letters are folded. Tears or defects to some of the letters as a result of ink erosion. Some stains. Worming to some letters.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $700
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
About 48 letters concerning Shadal, his studies, his biography and his image; sent to the scholar and author Avraham Kahana in Zhitomir, [ca. 1890-1900]. Hebrew and Italian.
The collection includes:
* 12 postcards and 8 letters from Rabbi Elijah Benamozegh (1823-1900), rabbi, Kabbalist, philosopher and biblical commentator. * 7 postcards and 3 letters from Ehud Lo-Ly (1826-1904); after Shadal's death Lo-Ly replaced Shadal as a teacher in the Rabbis Seminary in Padua and served there until the institute was closed (1871); from 1869 served as chief rabbi of Padua. * 3 postcards from Joseph Luzatto, Shadal's son. * 2 letters and a pamphlet of copyings written in Rabbi Shlomo Yona's hand. * 2 letters from Rabbi Moses Jacob Ottolenghi from Thesaloniki. * 11 letters from Antonio Zambelli, all in Italian.
Enclosed: a printed booklet by Benamozegh, "Lettere dirette a S. D. Luzatto da Elia Benamozegh" (Livorno, 1890; most probably has never been completed in print) where the letters which he sent to Shadal were printed.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Some letters are worn and stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
The collection includes:
* 12 postcards and 8 letters from Rabbi Elijah Benamozegh (1823-1900), rabbi, Kabbalist, philosopher and biblical commentator. * 7 postcards and 3 letters from Ehud Lo-Ly (1826-1904); after Shadal's death Lo-Ly replaced Shadal as a teacher in the Rabbis Seminary in Padua and served there until the institute was closed (1871); from 1869 served as chief rabbi of Padua. * 3 postcards from Joseph Luzatto, Shadal's son. * 2 letters and a pamphlet of copyings written in Rabbi Shlomo Yona's hand. * 2 letters from Rabbi Moses Jacob Ottolenghi from Thesaloniki. * 11 letters from Antonio Zambelli, all in Italian.
Enclosed: a printed booklet by Benamozegh, "Lettere dirette a S. D. Luzatto da Elia Benamozegh" (Livorno, 1890; most probably has never been completed in print) where the letters which he sent to Shadal were printed.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Some letters are worn and stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $2,125
Including buyer's premium
About 45 handwritten letters, sent to Yashar - Isaac Samuel Reggio, by rabbis, scholars, commentators and intellectuals of the Enlightenment movement and the "Chochmat Israel" movement. [Europe, ca. first half of 19th century].
Isaac Samuel Reggio ("The Yashar from Gorizia", 1784-1855) served as rabbi of Gorizia; philosopher, scholar of Judaism, biblical commentator and author, one of the heads of "Chochmat Israel" movement and a close friend of Shadal.
The collection includes:
* Letter from Rabbi Naftali Benet, son of Rabbi Mordechai Benet (Rebbe and head of Nikolsburg Yeshiva, chief rabbi of Moravia). * Letter from Rabbi Leopold Löw, Rebbe of Szeged. * Letter from Rabbi Avraham Ben Yosef Israel of Brody (Aauthor of "Dvar HaMelech"). * Letter from Yehoshua Höschel Schorr. * Letter from Adam Hacohen Lebensohn. * Letter from Meir Halevi Letteris (signed "MAHAL"). * 6 letters from Nachman Yitzchak Fishman Hacohen of Lvov. * 10 letters from Itzek (Yitzchak) Blumenfeld of Brody. * 2 letters from Shlomo Zalman ben Gottlieb (Solomon Gottlieb) Stern ("Kochav Tov"). * Letter and a poem handwritten by Alexander Halevi Langbanen. * 4 letters from Avraham Mendel Mehr (Mendel Mor). * 2 letters from Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Chen Tov (Edelman). * Several letters from Ya'akov Bodek, Ya'akov Goldenberg, Hirsch (Herman) Wassertriling, Shimon Santo, Mordechai Motl Brahn, and some letters from unidentified writers.
Enclosed: letter sent by Silvio Michlstadter from Trieste to Avraham Kahana in Kiev in 1913, concerning letters by Yashar.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Most letters are folded. Tears and slight defects to several letters. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Isaac Samuel Reggio ("The Yashar from Gorizia", 1784-1855) served as rabbi of Gorizia; philosopher, scholar of Judaism, biblical commentator and author, one of the heads of "Chochmat Israel" movement and a close friend of Shadal.
The collection includes:
* Letter from Rabbi Naftali Benet, son of Rabbi Mordechai Benet (Rebbe and head of Nikolsburg Yeshiva, chief rabbi of Moravia). * Letter from Rabbi Leopold Löw, Rebbe of Szeged. * Letter from Rabbi Avraham Ben Yosef Israel of Brody (Aauthor of "Dvar HaMelech"). * Letter from Yehoshua Höschel Schorr. * Letter from Adam Hacohen Lebensohn. * Letter from Meir Halevi Letteris (signed "MAHAL"). * 6 letters from Nachman Yitzchak Fishman Hacohen of Lvov. * 10 letters from Itzek (Yitzchak) Blumenfeld of Brody. * 2 letters from Shlomo Zalman ben Gottlieb (Solomon Gottlieb) Stern ("Kochav Tov"). * Letter and a poem handwritten by Alexander Halevi Langbanen. * 4 letters from Avraham Mendel Mehr (Mendel Mor). * 2 letters from Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Chen Tov (Edelman). * Several letters from Ya'akov Bodek, Ya'akov Goldenberg, Hirsch (Herman) Wassertriling, Shimon Santo, Mordechai Motl Brahn, and some letters from unidentified writers.
Enclosed: letter sent by Silvio Michlstadter from Trieste to Avraham Kahana in Kiev in 1913, concerning letters by Yashar.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Most letters are folded. Tears and slight defects to several letters. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $400
Unsold
Collection of manuscripts and booklets in memory of Prof. Hillel (Lelio) Della Torre. Italy, ca. 1872. Italian.
1. Lelio Della Torre, Cenni Biografici, S. Jona. Trieste, 1872. A printed booklet in memory of Della Torre. Proofreading copy, with numerous comments and corrections in the author's handwriting. 36 pp.
2. Elogio Funebre del Professore Lelio Della Torre, G. E. Levi. Cuneo, 1872. Printed booklet in memory of Della Torre. 35 pp.
3. Handwritten pamphlets, with additions to Della Torre's biography (see no. 1 above). 66 handwritten pages.
Prof. Hillel-Lelio Della Torre (1805-1871), rabbi and theology teacher in the Seminary for Rabbis in Padua, poet, commentator and translator; served as rabbi in Torino and was famous for his translation of Psalms into Italian. Published more than 300 essays in Jewish periodicals (in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim", "Kerem Hemed", "Kochve Yitzchak" and "Avne Nezer"), as well as in Italian, German and French periodicals.
Leaves: 22 to 28 cm. Some in good condition and others in good-fair condition, with tears and creases at margins, folding marks, stains and wear.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
1. Lelio Della Torre, Cenni Biografici, S. Jona. Trieste, 1872. A printed booklet in memory of Della Torre. Proofreading copy, with numerous comments and corrections in the author's handwriting. 36 pp.
2. Elogio Funebre del Professore Lelio Della Torre, G. E. Levi. Cuneo, 1872. Printed booklet in memory of Della Torre. 35 pp.
3. Handwritten pamphlets, with additions to Della Torre's biography (see no. 1 above). 66 handwritten pages.
Prof. Hillel-Lelio Della Torre (1805-1871), rabbi and theology teacher in the Seminary for Rabbis in Padua, poet, commentator and translator; served as rabbi in Torino and was famous for his translation of Psalms into Italian. Published more than 300 essays in Jewish periodicals (in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim", "Kerem Hemed", "Kochve Yitzchak" and "Avne Nezer"), as well as in Italian, German and French periodicals.
Leaves: 22 to 28 cm. Some in good condition and others in good-fair condition, with tears and creases at margins, folding marks, stains and wear.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $800
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
18 portrait photographs (most are cabinet cards) of authors, poets and scholars, friends or subjects of researches by the scholar and author Avraham Kahana. [Different places, second half of 19th century / first decade of 20th century].
Among the photographed: * Shmuel David Luzzatto at his desk. Photographer: Alpron, Padua [ca. 1860-1865]. * Joseph Luzzatto (son of Shadal), Palermo, ca. 1892. * Yesha'ayahu Luzzatto (two photographs). * Rabbi Israel Costa (Hebrew author, rabbi, commentator and editor), Livorno, ca. 1894 (the photograph was given to Kahana by Costa's son in law). * Prof. Lelio Della Tórre. * Rabbi Elijah Benamozegh. * Rabbi Jacob Ottolenghi from Thessaloniki (disciple of Benamozegh). * Prof. Shmuel Krauss (with a handwritten dedication). * Zvi Peretz Chajes (with a dedication in his handwriting), Lvov, 1901. * Shmuel Abba Horodetzky (two photographs, both with handwritten dedications), 1901-1902. * Moshe Kleinman, Berdichev, ca. 1901 (with a handwritten dedication), and other portraits.
Size varies, approx. 6X10 cm to 11X16 cm. Condition varies; some photographs are faded or stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Among the photographed: * Shmuel David Luzzatto at his desk. Photographer: Alpron, Padua [ca. 1860-1865]. * Joseph Luzzatto (son of Shadal), Palermo, ca. 1892. * Yesha'ayahu Luzzatto (two photographs). * Rabbi Israel Costa (Hebrew author, rabbi, commentator and editor), Livorno, ca. 1894 (the photograph was given to Kahana by Costa's son in law). * Prof. Lelio Della Tórre. * Rabbi Elijah Benamozegh. * Rabbi Jacob Ottolenghi from Thessaloniki (disciple of Benamozegh). * Prof. Shmuel Krauss (with a handwritten dedication). * Zvi Peretz Chajes (with a dedication in his handwriting), Lvov, 1901. * Shmuel Abba Horodetzky (two photographs, both with handwritten dedications), 1901-1902. * Moshe Kleinman, Berdichev, ca. 1901 (with a handwritten dedication), and other portraits.
Size varies, approx. 6X10 cm to 11X16 cm. Condition varies; some photographs are faded or stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Two autograph letters and manuscript of a poem by Judah Leib Gordon (1830-1892) - among the leading and most important Hebrew poets of the Jewish Enlightenment in Russia.
1. Manuscript of the poem "Tashlich!", dedicated to "one of my acquaintances who was obliged to be exiled… and left with his family…" (Hebrew). Heshvan 5652 [late 1891].
The poem is about immigration of Jews from Russia and mentions "America, Brazil, Argentina" as possible refuges, an idea which Gordon expressed already some ten years earlier in his poem "Achoti Ruchama", in which he called Jews to immigrate from Russia to America.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Filing holes, stains, deletions, pasted pieces of paper with corrections and comments for the printer.
2. A long autograph letter by Gordon, to the author Ya'akov Yitzchak Weisberg (1840-1904). Comments handwritten by the author and journalist Yehoshua ben Haim Halevi Mezach (1834-1917) who received the letter from Weisberg, for publication in the section "Igrot Anshei Shem" in the literary anthology "Gan Perachim", which he edited in the years 1881-1892. [December 1890 / January 1891].
[1] folded leaf (three written pages), 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Filing holes, affecting text. Stained, some dark stains, affecting text. Folding marks and wear.
3. Autograph letter by Judah Leib Gordon, to an unidentified recipient. Written during Gordon's last year of life, from his sick bed in Berlin or in St. Petersburg, November 1891.
Among other things, Gordon writes about his failing health. At the end of the letter, after sending regards to Yehoshua Mezach (see above), Gordon writes: "So said Gordon: I said that in these turbulent time Jews do not need poetry and flowery phrases, and the authors who publish them do not succeed…".
[1] leaf written on both sides, 21 cm. Fair-poor condition. Dampstains, ink smears and damages to text. Folding marks and wear, pencil inscriptions, corrections and comments for the printer.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
1. Manuscript of the poem "Tashlich!", dedicated to "one of my acquaintances who was obliged to be exiled… and left with his family…" (Hebrew). Heshvan 5652 [late 1891].
The poem is about immigration of Jews from Russia and mentions "America, Brazil, Argentina" as possible refuges, an idea which Gordon expressed already some ten years earlier in his poem "Achoti Ruchama", in which he called Jews to immigrate from Russia to America.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Filing holes, stains, deletions, pasted pieces of paper with corrections and comments for the printer.
2. A long autograph letter by Gordon, to the author Ya'akov Yitzchak Weisberg (1840-1904). Comments handwritten by the author and journalist Yehoshua ben Haim Halevi Mezach (1834-1917) who received the letter from Weisberg, for publication in the section "Igrot Anshei Shem" in the literary anthology "Gan Perachim", which he edited in the years 1881-1892. [December 1890 / January 1891].
[1] folded leaf (three written pages), 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Filing holes, affecting text. Stained, some dark stains, affecting text. Folding marks and wear.
3. Autograph letter by Judah Leib Gordon, to an unidentified recipient. Written during Gordon's last year of life, from his sick bed in Berlin or in St. Petersburg, November 1891.
Among other things, Gordon writes about his failing health. At the end of the letter, after sending regards to Yehoshua Mezach (see above), Gordon writes: "So said Gordon: I said that in these turbulent time Jews do not need poetry and flowery phrases, and the authors who publish them do not succeed…".
[1] leaf written on both sides, 21 cm. Fair-poor condition. Dampstains, ink smears and damages to text. Folding marks and wear, pencil inscriptions, corrections and comments for the printer.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
19 postcards, a letter and four stubs of payment-vouchers, written by hand and signed by Ahad Ha'Am (Asher Ginzberg), addressed to the scholar Avraham Kahana. Sent from Odessa and Berlin to Zhitomir, 1896-1903.
The postcards and the letter were written when Ahad Ha'am edited the periodical "HaShilo'ach", one of the most important periodical of the late 19th and early 20th century, and concern manly literary issues, research and editing - submission of essays about new books, continuation of publishing articles composed by Kahana, payment of royalties, editorial comments towards publication in "HaShilo'ach", publication of "Igrot Shadal" edited by Kahana, publication of a composition by Prof. Shimon Krauss, linguistic comments, confirmation of receipt of literary materials etc.
Some letters are written on official postcards of "HaShilo'ach" in Odessa or Ahad Ha'am (U. Ginzberg); one postcard of "Achiasaf" in Warsaw.
Enclosed: four stubs of payment vouchers sent by Ahad Ha'Am to Kahana; on the four stubs appear signatures by Ahad Ha'am as well as short autograph letters (concerning royalties); autograph letter by Kahana, addressed to Ahad Ha'Am (regarding the composition by Prof. Shmuel Krauss); original postal envelope, official ("HaShilo'ach" editorial), sent to Kahana.
Average size: 9X14 cm. Good overall condition. Several postcards in fair condition, dark or stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
The postcards and the letter were written when Ahad Ha'am edited the periodical "HaShilo'ach", one of the most important periodical of the late 19th and early 20th century, and concern manly literary issues, research and editing - submission of essays about new books, continuation of publishing articles composed by Kahana, payment of royalties, editorial comments towards publication in "HaShilo'ach", publication of "Igrot Shadal" edited by Kahana, publication of a composition by Prof. Shimon Krauss, linguistic comments, confirmation of receipt of literary materials etc.
Some letters are written on official postcards of "HaShilo'ach" in Odessa or Ahad Ha'am (U. Ginzberg); one postcard of "Achiasaf" in Warsaw.
Enclosed: four stubs of payment vouchers sent by Ahad Ha'Am to Kahana; on the four stubs appear signatures by Ahad Ha'am as well as short autograph letters (concerning royalties); autograph letter by Kahana, addressed to Ahad Ha'Am (regarding the composition by Prof. Shmuel Krauss); original postal envelope, official ("HaShilo'ach" editorial), sent to Kahana.
Average size: 9X14 cm. Good overall condition. Several postcards in fair condition, dark or stained.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
A dozen postcards and two autograph letters, sent by the author and philosopher Josef Berdyczewski to the scholar Avraham Kahana. Sent from Charlottenburg (Berlin) and Breslau to Zhitomir and Kiev, 1900-1906; one letter from 1913.
The postcards and letters concern mainly the biblical commentary on which Kahana worked as well as matters of literature and research. In his letters Berdyczewski criticizes the scholarly work of Kahana, expresses some friendly advice and his consent to participate in a memorial book for Zhitomir victims (murdered during the riots following the 1905 revolution), mentions various literary enterprises, confirms with thanks receipt of books, or asks about Kahana's well-being. In one of the letters Berdyczewski writes: "biblical criticism is virgin soil for us and we are not prepared for it… this generation is orphan. Periodicals are rotten and they prefer to hear about Zangwil's daughter in law or about a Zionist speech in Vienna or Paris…" (Hebrew). Most letters are signed "Dr. M.J. Berdyczewski"; some are signed in initials.
Works by the author and philosopher Micha Josef Berdyczewski (Ben Gurion, 1865-1921) were defined by Chaim Nachman Bialik as "the deep and inner center of the generation's thought and feelings". Berdyczewski is considered an author who created new writing patterns in Hebrew literature and challenged the traditional literature as well as rabbinical tradition, through his call to change values in the conception of Judaism, the tradition and Jewish-national history.
About the recipient of the letters, the author and scholar Avraham Kahana, see introduction to this chapter, p. 204
Enclosed: two original postal envelopes and a copy (in pencil) of a letter from Berdyczewski to his father (in which he mentions Bereshit with Kahana's commentary).
Average size: 9X14 cm. Good overall condition. Filing holes to two postcards. One of the letters was torn by Berdyczewski, by mistake (when it was returned by the post), and was repaired.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
The postcards and letters concern mainly the biblical commentary on which Kahana worked as well as matters of literature and research. In his letters Berdyczewski criticizes the scholarly work of Kahana, expresses some friendly advice and his consent to participate in a memorial book for Zhitomir victims (murdered during the riots following the 1905 revolution), mentions various literary enterprises, confirms with thanks receipt of books, or asks about Kahana's well-being. In one of the letters Berdyczewski writes: "biblical criticism is virgin soil for us and we are not prepared for it… this generation is orphan. Periodicals are rotten and they prefer to hear about Zangwil's daughter in law or about a Zionist speech in Vienna or Paris…" (Hebrew). Most letters are signed "Dr. M.J. Berdyczewski"; some are signed in initials.
Works by the author and philosopher Micha Josef Berdyczewski (Ben Gurion, 1865-1921) were defined by Chaim Nachman Bialik as "the deep and inner center of the generation's thought and feelings". Berdyczewski is considered an author who created new writing patterns in Hebrew literature and challenged the traditional literature as well as rabbinical tradition, through his call to change values in the conception of Judaism, the tradition and Jewish-national history.
About the recipient of the letters, the author and scholar Avraham Kahana, see introduction to this chapter, p. 204
Enclosed: two original postal envelopes and a copy (in pencil) of a letter from Berdyczewski to his father (in which he mentions Bereshit with Kahana's commentary).
Average size: 9X14 cm. Good overall condition. Filing holes to two postcards. One of the letters was torn by Berdyczewski, by mistake (when it was returned by the post), and was repaired.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $300
Sold for: $475
Including buyer's premium
Three postcards and two autograph letters, handwritten by the author, poet and translator David Frishman. Sent to the researcher and author Avraham Kahana, from Warsaw to Kiev and Zhitomir. 1903-1906.
Letters and postcards on the subject of literature, publication of essays in "HaZman" and in "Hador", payment of royalties, etc. In one of the letters Frishman ask Kahana to undertake a permanent position, "to be the critic for non-Hebrew books about Judaism for 'Hador'". Two of the postcards are personal postcards of Frishman (with his name as editor of "Hador" printed on top of the card); one of the postcards is an official postcard of "Tushiya" publishing. Enclosed are two original envelopes in which the letters were sent.
Filing holes and another hole to one postcard. Stains to two postcards and to envelopes.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Letters and postcards on the subject of literature, publication of essays in "HaZman" and in "Hador", payment of royalties, etc. In one of the letters Frishman ask Kahana to undertake a permanent position, "to be the critic for non-Hebrew books about Judaism for 'Hador'". Two of the postcards are personal postcards of Frishman (with his name as editor of "Hador" printed on top of the card); one of the postcards is an official postcard of "Tushiya" publishing. Enclosed are two original envelopes in which the letters were sent.
Filing holes and another hole to one postcard. Stains to two postcards and to envelopes.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue
Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
March 20, 2018
Opening: $800
Sold for: $1,000
Including buyer's premium
33 postcards and a dozen autograph letters from Joseph Klausner. The letters and postcards were sent to the researcher and author Avraham Kahana from Odessa, Warsaw and Jerusalem, to Zhitomir, Kiev, Warsaw and Tel-Aviv, 1895-1938 (most letters are from the first and second decades of the 20th century).
A large collection of letters recording literary-scholarly relations over a period of about 40 years. The letters are written in a close and friendly manner; dealing mainly with literary matters, publication of essays and books, editing, critiques, comments and corrections of essays, and more. Most letters were written on postcards and on official stationery of "Hashiloach" in Odessa as well as of "Achiasaf" company in Warsaw (some of the later letters were written on stationery and envelopes of "Hashiloach" and of Klausner in Jerusalem). Some of the postcards in this collection were sent in 1895, when Klausner was only 21 years old.
In a postcard from March 1907 Klausner writes: "In the renewed 'Yeshiva' in Tchernovitz I teach not bible but Jewish history according to the new research, it seems that by doing so I contribute more to Judaism than by sitting in the chair of the free university in Petersburg". In another postcard Klausner promises to write an important critique essay about the bible with Kahana commentary.
Joseph Klausner (1874-1958), historian, literary scholar and intellectual, one of the founders of the Hebrew University and head of the department of Hebrew Literature. Editor of "Hashiloach" and winner of the Israel Prize.
Enclosed: letter from Kahana to Klausner, original envelopes in which the letters were sent.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Creases and stains. Seven dark postcards (early ones). Tears at margins of some postcards. Filing holes to some postcards.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
A large collection of letters recording literary-scholarly relations over a period of about 40 years. The letters are written in a close and friendly manner; dealing mainly with literary matters, publication of essays and books, editing, critiques, comments and corrections of essays, and more. Most letters were written on postcards and on official stationery of "Hashiloach" in Odessa as well as of "Achiasaf" company in Warsaw (some of the later letters were written on stationery and envelopes of "Hashiloach" and of Klausner in Jerusalem). Some of the postcards in this collection were sent in 1895, when Klausner was only 21 years old.
In a postcard from March 1907 Klausner writes: "In the renewed 'Yeshiva' in Tchernovitz I teach not bible but Jewish history according to the new research, it seems that by doing so I contribute more to Judaism than by sitting in the chair of the free university in Petersburg". In another postcard Klausner promises to write an important critique essay about the bible with Kahana commentary.
Joseph Klausner (1874-1958), historian, literary scholar and intellectual, one of the founders of the Hebrew University and head of the department of Hebrew Literature. Editor of "Hashiloach" and winner of the Israel Prize.
Enclosed: letter from Kahana to Klausner, original envelopes in which the letters were sent.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Creases and stains. Seven dark postcards (early ones). Tears at margins of some postcards. Filing holes to some postcards.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Category
Avraham Kahana Collection
Catalogue