Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
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Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $10,000
Estimate: $12,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Large, varied collection of printed matter, books, booklets and calendars printed in Bombay, India, encompassing an entire century, from the beginning of Hebrew printing in Bombay in 1841, until the mid-20th century. Hebrew, Judeo-Arabic and Marathi.
A collection rare in its scope, including more than 120 items: books, booklets, leaves and calendars.
This collection documents the history of Hebrew printing in Bombay, from its beginning in 1841. It contains almost half of the Hebrew books printed in Bombay, including various books printed for the Bene Israel and the Baghdadi communities, and dozens of calendars (some illustrated). Some items are lithographed.
The collection comes from the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, and was the basis of the bibliographic list of works printed in Bombay published by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in the book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. II, Jerusalem 1940, Bombay). This collection includes many items which do not appear in Ya'ari's list.
Items include: • Machzor for days of Selichot and Hatarat Nedarim. Bombay, [1841]. Lithograph. The first Hebrew book printed in Bombay. Ya'ari, no. 90. • Passover Haggadah with Sharh (Judeo-Arabic translation). Bombay, [ca. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari no. 7. • Chanoch LaNa'ar. Bombay, [ca. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 9. • Sefer HaPizmonim. Bombay, [1856]. Lithograph on blue paper. Ya'ari, no 11. • Sharh Ruth. [Bombay, 1859]. The first book printed in Bombay using movable type. Ya'ari no. 15. • "And on your days of joy and festivals" – Lithograph leaf. [ca. 1880]. Ya'ari, no. 23. • "Prayer for the Jews in Russia". Bombay, [1882]. Ya'ari no. 104. • "Tefillah le-Hitpallel Yahad Kol Hosei be-Tzel Memshelet Britanya", prayer for the success of the British Armed Forces. Bombay, [1914]. Ya'ari, no. 83. • Ya'arat HaDvash, Otzar HaShorashim V'Aruch, by Rabbi Yechezkel Ya'akov Rachamim. Bombay, 1890. The entire composition Shemot HaTsaddikim by Rabbi Natan of Breslov appears at the beginning of the book. Ya'ari, no. 64. • Tefillat HaChodesh – The Daily Prayers, siddur according to Sephardi rite, translated into Marathi. Bombay, 1934. Ya'ari, no. 142. Fine copy, with gilt lettering on binding: "Rachel, wife of David Ezra…Calcutta". • And more.
The establishment of Hebrew printing in Bombay is tied to the development of two Jewish communities in the city: The Bene Israel community and the community of Baghdadis led by R. David Sassoon. Thus, the books printed in Bombay can be divided into two categories – those printed for Bene Israel and those printed for the Baghdadi community. The first four books printed in Bombay, during 1841-1853, were printed by Cochin Jews who settled in the city, and were intended for the Bene Israel community. In 1855, the Beit David Society of Baghdadi Jews also began to print books. For many years, all books were printed by lithography. In 1859, Binyamin Yitzchak Ashkenazi attempted to establish a letterpress printing firm and printed the book Sharh Ruth using movable type which he cut or poured himself. However, this was the only book printed in letterpress, and Bombay remained without a printing firm for another 22 years until 1882. Beginning in 1882, several firms were founded in Bombay, primarily The Bombay Education Society's Press (established in 1882), which printed books for both the Bene Israel and the Baghdadi communities, The Anglo-Jewish and Vernacular Press (founded in 1884), the Hebrew and English Press founded by Yechezkel Shem Tov David (founded in 1887) and the press of Yehuda David Ashkenazi and his son (founded in 1900).
56 books (in 59 volumes), 5 leaves, 61 calendars and 3 cards with prayer timetables. Size and condition vary. Some with damage or lacking leaves. Some bear signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
A collection rare in its scope, including more than 120 items: books, booklets, leaves and calendars.
This collection documents the history of Hebrew printing in Bombay, from its beginning in 1841. It contains almost half of the Hebrew books printed in Bombay, including various books printed for the Bene Israel and the Baghdadi communities, and dozens of calendars (some illustrated). Some items are lithographed.
The collection comes from the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, and was the basis of the bibliographic list of works printed in Bombay published by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in the book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. II, Jerusalem 1940, Bombay). This collection includes many items which do not appear in Ya'ari's list.
Items include: • Machzor for days of Selichot and Hatarat Nedarim. Bombay, [1841]. Lithograph. The first Hebrew book printed in Bombay. Ya'ari, no. 90. • Passover Haggadah with Sharh (Judeo-Arabic translation). Bombay, [ca. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari no. 7. • Chanoch LaNa'ar. Bombay, [ca. 1856]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 9. • Sefer HaPizmonim. Bombay, [1856]. Lithograph on blue paper. Ya'ari, no 11. • Sharh Ruth. [Bombay, 1859]. The first book printed in Bombay using movable type. Ya'ari no. 15. • "And on your days of joy and festivals" – Lithograph leaf. [ca. 1880]. Ya'ari, no. 23. • "Prayer for the Jews in Russia". Bombay, [1882]. Ya'ari no. 104. • "Tefillah le-Hitpallel Yahad Kol Hosei be-Tzel Memshelet Britanya", prayer for the success of the British Armed Forces. Bombay, [1914]. Ya'ari, no. 83. • Ya'arat HaDvash, Otzar HaShorashim V'Aruch, by Rabbi Yechezkel Ya'akov Rachamim. Bombay, 1890. The entire composition Shemot HaTsaddikim by Rabbi Natan of Breslov appears at the beginning of the book. Ya'ari, no. 64. • Tefillat HaChodesh – The Daily Prayers, siddur according to Sephardi rite, translated into Marathi. Bombay, 1934. Ya'ari, no. 142. Fine copy, with gilt lettering on binding: "Rachel, wife of David Ezra…Calcutta". • And more.
The establishment of Hebrew printing in Bombay is tied to the development of two Jewish communities in the city: The Bene Israel community and the community of Baghdadis led by R. David Sassoon. Thus, the books printed in Bombay can be divided into two categories – those printed for Bene Israel and those printed for the Baghdadi community. The first four books printed in Bombay, during 1841-1853, were printed by Cochin Jews who settled in the city, and were intended for the Bene Israel community. In 1855, the Beit David Society of Baghdadi Jews also began to print books. For many years, all books were printed by lithography. In 1859, Binyamin Yitzchak Ashkenazi attempted to establish a letterpress printing firm and printed the book Sharh Ruth using movable type which he cut or poured himself. However, this was the only book printed in letterpress, and Bombay remained without a printing firm for another 22 years until 1882. Beginning in 1882, several firms were founded in Bombay, primarily The Bombay Education Society's Press (established in 1882), which printed books for both the Bene Israel and the Baghdadi communities, The Anglo-Jewish and Vernacular Press (founded in 1884), the Hebrew and English Press founded by Yechezkel Shem Tov David (founded in 1887) and the press of Yehuda David Ashkenazi and his son (founded in 1900).
56 books (in 59 volumes), 5 leaves, 61 calendars and 3 cards with prayer timetables. Size and condition vary. Some with damage or lacking leaves. Some bear signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
Category
The Sassoon Collection: Letters, Books Printed in India
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $7,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $20,000
Including buyer's premium
Large, varied collection of books, booklets and various printed matter, printed in Calcutta, India, encompassing an entire century, from the beginning of Hebrew printing in Calcutta in 1840, until the mid-20th century.
A collection rare in its scope, including more than 100 items: books, booklets, leaves and calendars. The collection documents the history of Hebrew printing in Calcutta beginning in 1840. It includes most of the first books printed in the city during the 1840s (22 of the first 26 books printed in Calcutta by R. Elazar Iraki. Nos. 1, 3-7, 9-10, 12-17, 19-26 in Ya'ari's list) and about half of all books ever printed in Calcutta. Some are lithographed.
The collection comes from the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, and was the basis of the bibliographic list of works printed in Calcutta published by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in the book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Calcutta). This collection also contains many items which do not appear in Ya'ari's list.
Items include: • Shir HaShirim, with Targum Yonatan ben Uziel and Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1840]. Ya'ari, no. 1. The first lithographed book printed in Calcutta. That same year, Elazar Iraki printed Sha'arei Kedusha (in letterpress). According to Ya'ari, Shir HaShirim was printed before the Iraki printing press was established. No other lithographed books were printed in Culcutta until 1871. • Tractate Avot, with Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1844]. Ya'ari, no. 15. Printed on bluish paper. • Raziel HaMalach. Calcutta, [1845]. Ya'ari, no. 17. Printed on bluish paper. • Imrei Shabbat, "to clarify the prohibition of riding the steam engines of the railway on Shabbat…", by R. Chaim Ya'akov HaKohen [Feinstein] "emissary of the city of Safed". Calcutta, [1874]. Ya'ari, no. 29. • Regulations of the Magen David synagogue, in Judeo-Arabic. Calcutta, [1894]. Ya'ari, no. 82. • Sefer HaAchlama, interpretation of dreams. Calcutta, 1844. Lithographed manuscript. Ya'ari, no. 117. • Lithograph – the piyyut "Melech HaMefo'ar B'Rom Hodo…", by the Magen David synagogue, 1924. Printed in honor of R. Eliyahu Moshe Dweck HaKohen on his fiftieth anniversary serving as rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta. Ya'ari, no. 119. • Lithograph printed in gold – the piyyut "E-l Rachum Shemecha…". Ya'ari, no. 120. [Calcutta, year not indicated]. • Lithographed booklet, Haftarah of Tisha B'Av, with Judeo-Arabic translation, by "Shalom Yehoshua Iraki HaKohen teacher in Calcutta". [Year unknown]. Ya'ari, no. 123. • Chart for teaching the Hebrew Alphabet to children, with the verses of Shema Yisrael. Lithographed. [Calcutta, 1890]. Ya'ari, no. 124. • "Tachel Shana U'Virchoteha", two lithographs, with the simanim of Rosh Hashana eve. [Calcutta, year not indicated]. Ya'ari, no. 132-133. • "…prayer to recite before and after kindling Shabbat and festival candles". [Calcutta, year not indicated]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 134. • Prayer booklets for various occasions (in honor of Queen Victoria, upon the coronation of King George, etc.). • Cards with timetables for prayers in the synagogue. • Large-format wall calendars. • And more.
The first Hebrew press in Calcutta was established by R. Elazar Iraki HaKohen, a Jew of Yemenite origin, in 1840. R. Iraki's press operated until 1856, producing high-quality books which compare favourably with contemporary Hebrew printing in Europe. It seems that R. Iraki himself cast the type, and indeed the type used in his press differs from European type. Iraki printed many books by Yemenite sages, including halachic books by the Maharitz (which he was the first to print) and Sefer HaPizmonim – poems by Yemenite poets. R. Iraqi was not only a craftsman, but also a Torah scholar who edited, proofread and corrected the works he printed. Among other works, he translated the Passover Haggadah which was printed in his press and added 22 of his piyyutim to Sefer HaPizmonim. His printer's device depicts hands raised for the priestly benediction and the name "Iraki" or "Iraki Katz" (Kohen Tzedek). Iraki ceased printing in 1856, lacking sufficient demand for his books. Most of the books printed by Iraki are present in this collection.
Hebrew printing in Calcutta was renewed only in 1871 by the printer Yechezkel ben Suliman Hanin, who printed a total of 10 books (including two books by the Safed emissary Rabbi Chaim Ya'akov HaKohen Feinstein). This collection contains six of the books printed by Hanin.
In 1881, the rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta, R. Eliyahu son of Moshe Dweck HaKohen, established his own printing press. Since he was a Kohen and considered himself a successor of the first printer Iraki, he designed a printer's device similar to Iraki's, also depicting hands raised for the priestly benediction. He printed a total of six books, four of which are present in this collection.
In 1888, Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) Tawina of Baghdad established his printing press in Calcutta. R. Shlomo Tawina was an outstanding Torah scholar and before moving to India, printed books in Baghdad. He printed many books, including many of his own works. His printing press, active until ca. 1902, was the last large press in India. This collection contains 27 books printed by Tawina.
Alongside books printed by these established presses, a number of works were printed by lithography. As early as 1840, the year of the establishment of the first Hebrew press, Isaac ben Jacob of Baghdad printed a lithographic book – Shir HaShirim with Targum Yonatan and a Judeo-Arabic translation. The establishment of Iraki's press rendered lithography unnecessary and lithographic printing was taken up anew only in 1871. This collection contains 11 lithographs.
73 books, booklets and pamphlets, 20 calendars (cards, booklets and wall calendars), 8 single leaves (some lithographs, one torn and mostly lacking), 7 cards with timetables for prayers. Total of 108 items. Size and condition vary. Some have damage or lacking leaves. Some bear signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
A collection rare in its scope, including more than 100 items: books, booklets, leaves and calendars. The collection documents the history of Hebrew printing in Calcutta beginning in 1840. It includes most of the first books printed in the city during the 1840s (22 of the first 26 books printed in Calcutta by R. Elazar Iraki. Nos. 1, 3-7, 9-10, 12-17, 19-26 in Ya'ari's list) and about half of all books ever printed in Calcutta. Some are lithographed.
The collection comes from the library of the renowned collector R. David Sassoon, and was the basis of the bibliographic list of works printed in Calcutta published by the researcher and bibliographer Avraham Ya'ari in the book Hebrew Printing in the East (Vol. 2, Jerusalem 1940, Calcutta). This collection also contains many items which do not appear in Ya'ari's list.
Items include: • Shir HaShirim, with Targum Yonatan ben Uziel and Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1840]. Ya'ari, no. 1. The first lithographed book printed in Calcutta. That same year, Elazar Iraki printed Sha'arei Kedusha (in letterpress). According to Ya'ari, Shir HaShirim was printed before the Iraki printing press was established. No other lithographed books were printed in Culcutta until 1871. • Tractate Avot, with Judeo-Arabic translation. Calcutta, [1844]. Ya'ari, no. 15. Printed on bluish paper. • Raziel HaMalach. Calcutta, [1845]. Ya'ari, no. 17. Printed on bluish paper. • Imrei Shabbat, "to clarify the prohibition of riding the steam engines of the railway on Shabbat…", by R. Chaim Ya'akov HaKohen [Feinstein] "emissary of the city of Safed". Calcutta, [1874]. Ya'ari, no. 29. • Regulations of the Magen David synagogue, in Judeo-Arabic. Calcutta, [1894]. Ya'ari, no. 82. • Sefer HaAchlama, interpretation of dreams. Calcutta, 1844. Lithographed manuscript. Ya'ari, no. 117. • Lithograph – the piyyut "Melech HaMefo'ar B'Rom Hodo…", by the Magen David synagogue, 1924. Printed in honor of R. Eliyahu Moshe Dweck HaKohen on his fiftieth anniversary serving as rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta. Ya'ari, no. 119. • Lithograph printed in gold – the piyyut "E-l Rachum Shemecha…". Ya'ari, no. 120. [Calcutta, year not indicated]. • Lithographed booklet, Haftarah of Tisha B'Av, with Judeo-Arabic translation, by "Shalom Yehoshua Iraki HaKohen teacher in Calcutta". [Year unknown]. Ya'ari, no. 123. • Chart for teaching the Hebrew Alphabet to children, with the verses of Shema Yisrael. Lithographed. [Calcutta, 1890]. Ya'ari, no. 124. • "Tachel Shana U'Virchoteha", two lithographs, with the simanim of Rosh Hashana eve. [Calcutta, year not indicated]. Ya'ari, no. 132-133. • "…prayer to recite before and after kindling Shabbat and festival candles". [Calcutta, year not indicated]. Lithograph. Ya'ari, no. 134. • Prayer booklets for various occasions (in honor of Queen Victoria, upon the coronation of King George, etc.). • Cards with timetables for prayers in the synagogue. • Large-format wall calendars. • And more.
The first Hebrew press in Calcutta was established by R. Elazar Iraki HaKohen, a Jew of Yemenite origin, in 1840. R. Iraki's press operated until 1856, producing high-quality books which compare favourably with contemporary Hebrew printing in Europe. It seems that R. Iraki himself cast the type, and indeed the type used in his press differs from European type. Iraki printed many books by Yemenite sages, including halachic books by the Maharitz (which he was the first to print) and Sefer HaPizmonim – poems by Yemenite poets. R. Iraqi was not only a craftsman, but also a Torah scholar who edited, proofread and corrected the works he printed. Among other works, he translated the Passover Haggadah which was printed in his press and added 22 of his piyyutim to Sefer HaPizmonim. His printer's device depicts hands raised for the priestly benediction and the name "Iraki" or "Iraki Katz" (Kohen Tzedek). Iraki ceased printing in 1856, lacking sufficient demand for his books. Most of the books printed by Iraki are present in this collection.
Hebrew printing in Calcutta was renewed only in 1871 by the printer Yechezkel ben Suliman Hanin, who printed a total of 10 books (including two books by the Safed emissary Rabbi Chaim Ya'akov HaKohen Feinstein). This collection contains six of the books printed by Hanin.
In 1881, the rabbi of the Magen David synagogue in Calcutta, R. Eliyahu son of Moshe Dweck HaKohen, established his own printing press. Since he was a Kohen and considered himself a successor of the first printer Iraki, he designed a printer's device similar to Iraki's, also depicting hands raised for the priestly benediction. He printed a total of six books, four of which are present in this collection.
In 1888, Rabbi Shlomo (Solomon) Tawina of Baghdad established his printing press in Calcutta. R. Shlomo Tawina was an outstanding Torah scholar and before moving to India, printed books in Baghdad. He printed many books, including many of his own works. His printing press, active until ca. 1902, was the last large press in India. This collection contains 27 books printed by Tawina.
Alongside books printed by these established presses, a number of works were printed by lithography. As early as 1840, the year of the establishment of the first Hebrew press, Isaac ben Jacob of Baghdad printed a lithographic book – Shir HaShirim with Targum Yonatan and a Judeo-Arabic translation. The establishment of Iraki's press rendered lithography unnecessary and lithographic printing was taken up anew only in 1871. This collection contains 11 lithographs.
73 books, booklets and pamphlets, 20 calendars (cards, booklets and wall calendars), 8 single leaves (some lithographs, one torn and mostly lacking), 7 cards with timetables for prayers. Total of 108 items. Size and condition vary. Some have damage or lacking leaves. Some bear signatures and ownership inscriptions.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
Category
The Sassoon Collection: Letters, Books Printed in India
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Large collection of 39 missives, letters and emissary letters, from the Sassoon family archives. With signatures of Eretz Israeli rabbis from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection includes letters of good wishes and thanks, requests for assistance, letters for emissaries travelling to Bombay, etc. Some are adorned with decorative titles or decorated with colored ink. Calligraphic signatures of rabbis from Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberias.
Items include:
• Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Hebron community. • Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Chabad settlement in Hebron. • Two letters from Tiberias rabbis regarding the emissary R. David Asudri, 1890. • Ten letters of condolences from Eretz Israeli rabbis sent in Nissan 1894 to Farha (Flora) Sassoon upon the death of her husband, R. Solomon David Sassoon. • Three missives from Tiberias rabbis regarding the mission of R. Eliezer Mantzur Sighon in 1897. • Letter from Baghdad rabbis, to Farha (Flora) Sassoon. 1899. • Emissary letter for R. Shmuel Meyuchas of Jerusalen, sent by Sephardi Jerusalemite rabbis to Farha Sassoon. 1900. • Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra, by the Rishon L'Zion R. Ya'akov Shaul Elyashar, 1891. • Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra. From the rabbis of the Talmud Torah of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem, 1893.• Many more letters.
For further details see Hebrew description.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Most of the letters in this collection were printed in the book Perakim BeToldot Yahadut Bavel, by Avraham Ben Ya'akov, Jerusalem 1989. A minority were printed in Nachalat Avot, Asufat Genazim MiBeit Mishpachat Sassoon, Jerusalem 2007, and three have not yet been printed.
39 letters. Size and condition vary (most in good condition).
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
The collection includes letters of good wishes and thanks, requests for assistance, letters for emissaries travelling to Bombay, etc. Some are adorned with decorative titles or decorated with colored ink. Calligraphic signatures of rabbis from Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberias.
Items include:
• Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Hebron community. • Letter to R. Solomon David Sassoon from the heads of the Chabad settlement in Hebron. • Two letters from Tiberias rabbis regarding the emissary R. David Asudri, 1890. • Ten letters of condolences from Eretz Israeli rabbis sent in Nissan 1894 to Farha (Flora) Sassoon upon the death of her husband, R. Solomon David Sassoon. • Three missives from Tiberias rabbis regarding the mission of R. Eliezer Mantzur Sighon in 1897. • Letter from Baghdad rabbis, to Farha (Flora) Sassoon. 1899. • Emissary letter for R. Shmuel Meyuchas of Jerusalen, sent by Sephardi Jerusalemite rabbis to Farha Sassoon. 1900. • Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra, by the Rishon L'Zion R. Ya'akov Shaul Elyashar, 1891. • Letter to R. Joseph Elias David Ezra. From the rabbis of the Talmud Torah of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem, 1893.• Many more letters.
For further details see Hebrew description.
A detailed list is available upon request.
Most of the letters in this collection were printed in the book Perakim BeToldot Yahadut Bavel, by Avraham Ben Ya'akov, Jerusalem 1989. A minority were printed in Nachalat Avot, Asufat Genazim MiBeit Mishpachat Sassoon, Jerusalem 2007, and three have not yet been printed.
39 letters. Size and condition vary (most in good condition).
Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection.
Category
The Sassoon Collection: Letters, Books Printed in India
Catalogue