Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
- (-) Remove draw filter draw
- (-) Remove print filter print
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Historie der Drie Laatste Turksche Keizers [History of the three last Turkish sultans]. Amsterdam: Timotheus ten Hoorn and Jan Bouman, 1684. Dutch.
A book about the Ottoman Empire in the years 1623-1677, with a chapter dedicated to the affair of Sabbatai Zevi, including a rare and unique portrait-engraving of Sabbatai Zevi after his conversion to Islam.
This is a Dutch translation of the book by British historian and diplomat Paul Rycaut, "The History of the Turkish Empire from the Year 1623 to the Year 1677", first published in London in 1680. The book discusses at length three of the Turkish sultans – Murat IV, Ibrahim I and Mehmed IV.
One of the book's chapters (pp. 152-187) is dedicated to Sabbatai Zevi and titled "Historie van Sabatai-Sevi, Velsche Messias der Jooden" [History of Sabbatai Zevi, False Messiah of the Jews]. The chapter describes, among other topics, the imprisonment and conversion to Islam of Sabbatai Zevi in 1666, and includes numerous quotes from letters by Sabbatai Zevi and Nathan of Gaza. This is an early and important essay about Sabbatai Zevi written during his lifetime.
The chapter opens with a portrait engraving of Sabbatai Zevi wearing an elegant buttoned attire and a Tarbush, and holding a book with an inscription in faulty Hebrew. On the bottom of the engraving appears the title "Velsche Messias der Jooden Sabatai Sevi" [False Messiah of the Jews, Sabbatai Zevi].
This engraving is based on a famous engraving printed in Amsterdam in 1669, in Thomas Coenen's book, "Ydele Verwachtinge der Joden" (this engraving is considered to be a realistic portrait based on a drawing of Sabbatai Zevi created by a person who met Zevi in Izmir). However, the engraving in the book before us differs from the one printed in Coenen's book and from other engravings printed thereafter. One of the main differences is the direction to which Sabbatai Zevi faces. While in most known engravings of Sabbatai Zevi he faces right, in this engraving he faces left.
This engraving does not appear in "Jewish Iconography" by Alfred Rubens and is not mentioned in literature about Sabbatai Zevi.
The author of the book, Paul Rycaut (1629-1700), was a British historian and diplomat, who served as the personal secretary of the British consul in Istanbul and later as the British consul in Izmir. His writings about the Ottoman Empire were a most important source of information about the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, and many researchers based their studies on his books.
Alongside the engraving of Sabbatai Zevi, the book includes thirteen other engravings: portrait engravings of the sultans Morat IV, Ibrahim I and Mehmed IV, and engravings depicting various events in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The book also has an engraved frontispiece.
[4] leaves (including the frontispiece), 328, 414, 114, 119-164, [27] pp + [14] engraved plates. Two leaves (pp. 115-118) and two engraved plates are missing and replaced by photocopies. Good overall condition. Stains and creases. A number of detached or loose leaves. Tears at margins of several leaves. Tear to one engraving, repaired with a piece of paper pasted on the back. Damage to top margin of one plate. The portrait engraving of Sabbatai Zevi is in good condition. Original vellum binding, slightly damaged. Label on the spine.
A book about the Ottoman Empire in the years 1623-1677, with a chapter dedicated to the affair of Sabbatai Zevi, including a rare and unique portrait-engraving of Sabbatai Zevi after his conversion to Islam.
This is a Dutch translation of the book by British historian and diplomat Paul Rycaut, "The History of the Turkish Empire from the Year 1623 to the Year 1677", first published in London in 1680. The book discusses at length three of the Turkish sultans – Murat IV, Ibrahim I and Mehmed IV.
One of the book's chapters (pp. 152-187) is dedicated to Sabbatai Zevi and titled "Historie van Sabatai-Sevi, Velsche Messias der Jooden" [History of Sabbatai Zevi, False Messiah of the Jews]. The chapter describes, among other topics, the imprisonment and conversion to Islam of Sabbatai Zevi in 1666, and includes numerous quotes from letters by Sabbatai Zevi and Nathan of Gaza. This is an early and important essay about Sabbatai Zevi written during his lifetime.
The chapter opens with a portrait engraving of Sabbatai Zevi wearing an elegant buttoned attire and a Tarbush, and holding a book with an inscription in faulty Hebrew. On the bottom of the engraving appears the title "Velsche Messias der Jooden Sabatai Sevi" [False Messiah of the Jews, Sabbatai Zevi].
This engraving is based on a famous engraving printed in Amsterdam in 1669, in Thomas Coenen's book, "Ydele Verwachtinge der Joden" (this engraving is considered to be a realistic portrait based on a drawing of Sabbatai Zevi created by a person who met Zevi in Izmir). However, the engraving in the book before us differs from the one printed in Coenen's book and from other engravings printed thereafter. One of the main differences is the direction to which Sabbatai Zevi faces. While in most known engravings of Sabbatai Zevi he faces right, in this engraving he faces left.
This engraving does not appear in "Jewish Iconography" by Alfred Rubens and is not mentioned in literature about Sabbatai Zevi.
The author of the book, Paul Rycaut (1629-1700), was a British historian and diplomat, who served as the personal secretary of the British consul in Istanbul and later as the British consul in Izmir. His writings about the Ottoman Empire were a most important source of information about the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, and many researchers based their studies on his books.
Alongside the engraving of Sabbatai Zevi, the book includes thirteen other engravings: portrait engravings of the sultans Morat IV, Ibrahim I and Mehmed IV, and engravings depicting various events in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The book also has an engraved frontispiece.
[4] leaves (including the frontispiece), 328, 414, 114, 119-164, [27] pp + [14] engraved plates. Two leaves (pp. 115-118) and two engraved plates are missing and replaced by photocopies. Good overall condition. Stains and creases. A number of detached or loose leaves. Tears at margins of several leaves. Tear to one engraving, repaired with a piece of paper pasted on the back. Damage to top margin of one plate. The portrait engraving of Sabbatai Zevi is in good condition. Original vellum binding, slightly damaged. Label on the spine.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Jewish peddlers from Morocco – two prints, hand-colored. [ca. early 19th century].
Two collagelike prints. Each print incorporates eight different figures, among them Jewish peddlers. In the center of the first print appears a Moroccan Jew carrying a chest with ribbons, a mirror, scissors and other tools. In the center of the second print appears a Moroccan Jew carrying scales and a tray with spices. The images of the Jewish peddlers were created after mezzotint prints from early 19th century, which appear in "A Jewish Iconography" by Alfred Rubens (items nos. 1089 and 1093). The first print also appears in Rubens's book and is dated there 1800. The second print does not appear in the book.
Both prints are on thin cardboard, approx. 12 X 16 cm. Good condition. Creases, rubbings, some tears and defects. Both prints are stamped with an embossed stamp.
Two collagelike prints. Each print incorporates eight different figures, among them Jewish peddlers. In the center of the first print appears a Moroccan Jew carrying a chest with ribbons, a mirror, scissors and other tools. In the center of the second print appears a Moroccan Jew carrying scales and a tray with spices. The images of the Jewish peddlers were created after mezzotint prints from early 19th century, which appear in "A Jewish Iconography" by Alfred Rubens (items nos. 1089 and 1093). The first print also appears in Rubens's book and is dated there 1800. The second print does not appear in the book.
Both prints are on thin cardboard, approx. 12 X 16 cm. Good condition. Creases, rubbings, some tears and defects. Both prints are stamped with an embossed stamp.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Portrait of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of Chatam Sofer. Lithograph by Josef Kriehuber, after a painting by Yissachar Ber Frank. Vienna, [ca. 1828].
"Portrait of the famous Torah scholar R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of the Pressburg community (Hebrew) / Moyses S. Schreiber Oberrabiner der Isre Gemeinde in Presburg".
The famous portrait of R. Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer was created by his disciple R. Yissachar Ber Frank, scribe and trustee of the Pressburg community. When Rabbi Yissachar Ber's daughter reached marriageable age, he approached the Chatam Sofer and requested him to suggest an outstanding disciple as a match for his daughter. The Chatam Sofer replied that he can suggest a very special match, the best student in the yeshiva, R. Menachem Katz of Prostitz, however, because he is a potentially leading Torah luminary, R. Yissachar Ber must undertake to support him for a number of years so he can study Torah without distraction. R. Ber did not hesitate and immediately agreed to the shidduch, however, he was financially hard-pressed. Since he did not want to take charity, R. Ber looked for a source of livelihood to provide the necessary funds. He finally came up with an idea. Besides his outstanding Torah knowledge, R. Ber was also a gifted artist. He decided to print portraits of the Chatam Sofer, from a painting which he himself had painted, and sell them to finance the wedding and to support the couple after their marriage. This portrait is the one which R. Ber printed in Vienna. Upon discovering this, the Chatam Sofer was aggravated and summoned R. Ber. He rebuked him for daring to draw his portrait and distribute it without his permission. R. Ber explained that he did this to cover the expenses of his daughter's marriage and that he could not find any other way to earn the money, and said: "I cannot show my face before people begging for a handout", to which the Chatam Sofer replied: "You did not want to show your face so you showed mine instead?". The book Igrot Sofrim (p. 27) cites a letter by R. Akiva Eger sent to his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer from the month of Tamuz 1828, with mention of this portrait: "I have received the letter from R. Ber with the portrait (see: Igrot Sofrim, pp. 27-28, in the note; The history and novellae of Rabbi Menachem Katz Prostich, Part 1, p. 9). Thanks to this printing, this well-known portrait of the Chatam Sofer has been preserved for all times.
20 X 25.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Dark dampstains.
"Portrait of the famous Torah scholar R. Moshe Sofer Rabbi of the Pressburg community (Hebrew) / Moyses S. Schreiber Oberrabiner der Isre Gemeinde in Presburg".
The famous portrait of R. Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer was created by his disciple R. Yissachar Ber Frank, scribe and trustee of the Pressburg community. When Rabbi Yissachar Ber's daughter reached marriageable age, he approached the Chatam Sofer and requested him to suggest an outstanding disciple as a match for his daughter. The Chatam Sofer replied that he can suggest a very special match, the best student in the yeshiva, R. Menachem Katz of Prostitz, however, because he is a potentially leading Torah luminary, R. Yissachar Ber must undertake to support him for a number of years so he can study Torah without distraction. R. Ber did not hesitate and immediately agreed to the shidduch, however, he was financially hard-pressed. Since he did not want to take charity, R. Ber looked for a source of livelihood to provide the necessary funds. He finally came up with an idea. Besides his outstanding Torah knowledge, R. Ber was also a gifted artist. He decided to print portraits of the Chatam Sofer, from a painting which he himself had painted, and sell them to finance the wedding and to support the couple after their marriage. This portrait is the one which R. Ber printed in Vienna. Upon discovering this, the Chatam Sofer was aggravated and summoned R. Ber. He rebuked him for daring to draw his portrait and distribute it without his permission. R. Ber explained that he did this to cover the expenses of his daughter's marriage and that he could not find any other way to earn the money, and said: "I cannot show my face before people begging for a handout", to which the Chatam Sofer replied: "You did not want to show your face so you showed mine instead?". The book Igrot Sofrim (p. 27) cites a letter by R. Akiva Eger sent to his son-in-law the Chatam Sofer from the month of Tamuz 1828, with mention of this portrait: "I have received the letter from R. Ber with the portrait (see: Igrot Sofrim, pp. 27-28, in the note; The history and novellae of Rabbi Menachem Katz Prostich, Part 1, p. 9). Thanks to this printing, this well-known portrait of the Chatam Sofer has been preserved for all times.
20 X 25.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Dark dampstains.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $4,750
Including buyer's premium
Portrait of Shmuel Oppenheimer. Lithograph by Joseph Kriehuber. Printed by Johannes Höfelich, [Vienna], 1846.
Under the portrait are a facsimile of his signature and a German text with a short biography.
R. Shmuel (Samuel) Oppenheimer (1630-1703) was a Jewish banker, philanthropist, a court diplomat, close to Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the Emperor's finance minister and assisted him in his war against the Ottoman Empire during the Great Turkish War (1683-1699). Although the Jews were expelled from Vienna in 1670, Oppenheimer was the first Jew allowed to settle in the city with his "Gesinde”, a small community composed of a number of Jewish families. He took advantage of his ties with the Emperor's court to benefit his Jewish brethren.
28 X 45 cm. Fair condition. Many stains. Tears and breaks in several places.
Under the portrait are a facsimile of his signature and a German text with a short biography.
R. Shmuel (Samuel) Oppenheimer (1630-1703) was a Jewish banker, philanthropist, a court diplomat, close to Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the Emperor's finance minister and assisted him in his war against the Ottoman Empire during the Great Turkish War (1683-1699). Although the Jews were expelled from Vienna in 1670, Oppenheimer was the first Jew allowed to settle in the city with his "Gesinde”, a small community composed of a number of Jewish families. He took advantage of his ties with the Emperor's court to benefit his Jewish brethren.
28 X 45 cm. Fair condition. Many stains. Tears and breaks in several places.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Portrait of R. Moshe Gomes de Mesquita – Rabbi of the Sephardi Sha'ar HaShamayim community in London. Mezzotint. Printed by John Faber the Younger, [London], 1752.
R. Moshe (Moses) Gomes de Mesquita (died in 1751) was Rabbi of the Sephardi Sha'ar HaShamayim community in London for seven years. Previously, he was a scholar at the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Amsterdam. His halachic responsa were included in the Pri Etz Chaim responsa published by the members of the "Etz Chaim – Amsterdam" Beit Midrash (volumes 1, 2, 3, 6-7) and his responsa from the years 1734, 1737, 1740, 1742 and 1743 can be found in these volumes. In Vol. 3, at the beginning of Question 5, addressed to R. Moshe, he is titled "First and foremost to anything holy, right pillar of the great and famous Etz Chaim Beit Midrash, R. Moshe Gomes de Mesquita…".
22.5 X 32 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Minor defects, primarily to margins.
R. Moshe (Moses) Gomes de Mesquita (died in 1751) was Rabbi of the Sephardi Sha'ar HaShamayim community in London for seven years. Previously, he was a scholar at the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Amsterdam. His halachic responsa were included in the Pri Etz Chaim responsa published by the members of the "Etz Chaim – Amsterdam" Beit Midrash (volumes 1, 2, 3, 6-7) and his responsa from the years 1734, 1737, 1740, 1742 and 1743 can be found in these volumes. In Vol. 3, at the beginning of Question 5, addressed to R. Moshe, he is titled "First and foremost to anything holy, right pillar of the great and famous Etz Chaim Beit Midrash, R. Moshe Gomes de Mesquita…".
22.5 X 32 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Minor defects, primarily to margins.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue
Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
November 13, 2018
Opening: $2,500
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Aquarelle drawing of a wedding officiated by Rabbi Solomon Hirschell Berliner, Rabbi of London. [London, ca.1820s].
A colorful drawing, rich in details, depicting a wedding ceremony of a Jewish couple in "Horder's Rooms" in London. Rabbi Solomon Hirschell appears in the center, with the groom and bride under the Huppah, and around them the guests: couples talking, groups of playing children and women drying their tears.
Beneath the drawing is a caption in English: "On Thursday the 9th of May – were married at Horder's Rooms, Minories, by the Rev'd Solomon Hirschell, Samuel Hellut [?] Israel of St. Mary Axe, Shoemakers Row & Bridge St. Blackfriars… & the truly amiable & highly accomplished Miss Fanny Desymond".
The Gaon, Rabbi Solomon Hirschell Berliner (1762-1842), Rabbi of Prenzlau (Poland), was the son of R. Tzvi Hirsch, rabbi of Berlin, and great-grandson of R. Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, the Chacham Tzvi. He succeeded his father as rabbi of the Ashkenazi community of London and England from 1802 until his death in 1842.
Approx. 31X22 cm, attached to passé-par tout at the right margin (with adhesive tape). Good-fair condition. Stains (some caused by the passé-par tout). Tears at margins (no damage to drawing), adhesive tape on back. Strip of paper pasted to the bottom margin of the leaf.
A colorful drawing, rich in details, depicting a wedding ceremony of a Jewish couple in "Horder's Rooms" in London. Rabbi Solomon Hirschell appears in the center, with the groom and bride under the Huppah, and around them the guests: couples talking, groups of playing children and women drying their tears.
Beneath the drawing is a caption in English: "On Thursday the 9th of May – were married at Horder's Rooms, Minories, by the Rev'd Solomon Hirschell, Samuel Hellut [?] Israel of St. Mary Axe, Shoemakers Row & Bridge St. Blackfriars… & the truly amiable & highly accomplished Miss Fanny Desymond".
The Gaon, Rabbi Solomon Hirschell Berliner (1762-1842), Rabbi of Prenzlau (Poland), was the son of R. Tzvi Hirsch, rabbi of Berlin, and great-grandson of R. Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, the Chacham Tzvi. He succeeded his father as rabbi of the Ashkenazi community of London and England from 1802 until his death in 1842.
Approx. 31X22 cm, attached to passé-par tout at the right margin (with adhesive tape). Good-fair condition. Stains (some caused by the passé-par tout). Tears at margins (no damage to drawing), adhesive tape on back. Strip of paper pasted to the bottom margin of the leaf.
Category
Prints and Drawings
Catalogue