Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
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Travel Book Through Holy Scriptures, by Heinrich Bünting (1545-1606), a German pastor, theologian and cartographer, describes the travels of various notable Biblical figures through the Holy Land. The book was first published in 1581, and provided the most complete and comprehensive summary of biblical geography available. It has since been reprinted and translated into many languages.
The book features 12 maps (woodcuts), mostly double-spread (printed on two pages), including three figurative maps drawn by Bünting: The first and most well-known is the map portraying the world in the shape of a cloverleaf (the cloverleaf appears on the emblem of the city of Hanover, Bünting's birthplace). The three leaves of the clover represent the three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. Jerusalem is depicted in the center of the leaf, representing the center of the world. The second map portrays Asia as Pegasus (a winged horse from the Greek mythology). Europe is depicted in the third map as a crowned and robed woman (the Phoenician princess Europa). In addition to these figurative maps, the book also contains more conventional maps: a world map, a map of the Mediterranean Basin, a map of Africa, four maps of Palestine, a map of Jerusalem and a plan of the Holy Temple.
[7] leaves, 240 [i.e. 241], [7] pages; [3] leaves, 30, 30-41, 43-102, [8] pages (eighth page blank); [1], 34 pages; [6], 15, [2], 14-21 pages. Lacking 3 leaves: one leaf at beginning of book (poems) and two final leaves. Mispagination. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and tears (including open tears) to maps and other leaves, mostly repaired. Paper and tape repairs (including old repairs) to some leaves and maps. Tear to center of cloverleaf map, repaired with paper. Tears to Queen shaped map of Europe and Pegasus map, repaired with tape. Margins of several maps trimmed. Marginal tears to title page, slightly affecting text, mounted on paper for preservation and reinforcement. One leaf near beginning of book (map of Palestine) mounted on paper for reinforcement. Worming to several leaves. A few handwritten inscriptions (addition in red ink to map of Jerusalem). Fine, original binding, blind-stamped vellum with metal corners and clasps. Minor damage and wear to binding. Missing one clasp.
Map of Palestine on both sides of the Jordan river, depicting the territories of the Tribes. The shoreline stretches between Sidon in the north and Egypt in the south. Decorated cartouche in the upper left corner, flanked on one side by the figure of Yehoshua, holding a tribal flag in one hand and pointing to the sun with the other hand, and on the other by the figure of Elazar clad in priestly clothes and bearing the breastplate. An inscription above the sun reads: "Sun, stand still upon Gibeon". The cartouche is surmounted with illustrations of the pillars of fire and cloud which accompanied and guided the Jewish people in their travels through the desert. A map scale and compass rose appear at the foot of the map, alongside a legend for royal cities, cities of refuge, Levitical cities and cities of Israel.
The engraving was produced by Gottfried Prixner (signed in print), after a map of Palestine by German cartographer and publisher Tobias Conrad Lotter (the cartouche illustrations on both maps are almost identical). Both maps are based on the map of Palestine by cartographer Nicolas Sanson, in his book Geographia Sacra.
Leaf: 48.5X40 cm. Fair condition. Darkened paper. Stains (including dark stains and dampstains). Inscription in margins. Creases and defects. Worming and tears, including open tears, repaired with paper and paint (mostly marginal). The entire map is mounted on thin, acid-free paper; framed.
Laor 884.
Hebrew translation of the travelogue written by Judith, wife of prominent activist and philanthropist Moses Montefiore, during their journey from London to Palestine via Germany, France and Italy (November 1, 1838 – August 10, 1839). The translation was produced 15 years after the passing of Judith Montefiore. The book begins with two forewords (in Hebrew and English), as well as a poem by the translator, and concludes with several letters regarding the settlement of Palestine addressed to Moses Montefiore, and one letter from him.
Moses Montefiore's signature appears on the verso of the front endpaper, in English, alongside an inscription (in English and German): "…Herrn David Schifman in Tiberias, Care of Signor Moise Yedid Halevi in Beyrut, Syria".
Inscription handwritten and signed by R. Schifman on the front endpaper: "Received by post as a gift from the prominent… Sir Moses Montefiore".
On the inside front board, a label with the Montefiore family crest and a portrait of Moses and Judith Montefiore. A thin metal label with the Montefiore family crest is attached (upside down) beneath Schifman's signature.
R. David Schifman (1852-1927), born in Russia, immigrated to Tiberias in his youth. A leading Ashkenazi Torah scholar, he served as dayan and posek. He authored HaBikkurim VehaRe'ayon (Jerusalem, 1879).
[2], VI, 285, [1] pages. 16.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Some stains (mostly to first leaves). First 7 leaves detached. Minor marginal tears to a few leaves. Piece cut out of front endpaper (approx. 1.5X9 cm); leaf detached – strips of sellotape to margin. Original binding, rubbed, with minor damage.
A splendid collection of 18 souvenir coins and medals, mostly silver, specially minted to mark the occasion of the official visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II to Palestine. [Germany?, ca. 1898].
On the obverse, the majority of the coins and medals bear the figure of Kaiser Wilhelm II (helmeted, mounted on horseback, and/or accompanied by the figure of the Empress Augusta Victoria); the reverse sides feature various images associated with the journey (such as the imperial yacht, the Church of the Redeemer, and other images), as well as (German) inscriptions commemorating the visit. Highlighting the collection are a number of singularly unique medals, including: • A medal with no portrait, with the (German) inscription "From Jerusalem shall emanate the light [that brightens] the world, by the glow of the light did our German nation gain its strength. Neither power, nor acclaim, nor honor, nor worldly material benefits do we seek here…" (probably circulated to allay concerns that Germany was aiming to take control of the Port of Haifa; two copies of this coin, in two different metals). • Souvenir medal for tourists of the German Imperial House of Hohenzollern: obverse shows images of the Kaiser and the Empress; reverse bears an inscription listing the various pilgrimage journeys undertaken by the House of Hohenzollern through the centuries (from 1340 to 1898 CE).
18 coins and medals. Two duplicates. Size and condition vary. Some with metal suspension loops. One medal with original neck ribbon in the colors of the flag of the German Imperial House. Three medals housed in plastic cases of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Through the months of October-November 1898, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany toured some of the major cities of the Ottoman Empire, including Beirut, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Jaffa. The visit to Palestine, in particular, was regarded as one of the most salient events in the annals of the Land of Israel in the 19th century.
Preparations for the Kaiser's visit to Palestine had already begun in the summer of 1898. These included a massive municipal clean-up, the improvement and overhaul of infrastructure, the laying of a telegraph line, and other operations. In time for the Kaiser's arrival in Jerusalem, a number of municipal roads were widened. The authorities went as far as breaching a gap in Jerusalem's Old City Wall, adjacent to Jaffa Gate, to enable the smooth passage of the Kaiser's opulent carriage. In addition, the city streets – most notably HaNevi'im Street, where a special tent camp for the Kaiser and his entourage was to be temporarily constructed – were adorned with the flags of Germany and the Ottoman Empire, and with makeshift gates of honor.
The highlight of the Kaiser's visit to Jerusalem was the opening ceremony of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. But he also visited the German Colony, the Mt. of Olives, the Christian Quarter of the Old City, City Hall, and other sites. From a Jewish standpoint, perhaps the most historically important event in the Kaiser's itinerary was his meeting with Theodor Herzl.
Throughout his visit, Wilhelm was accompanied by his wife, the Empress Augusta Victoria, and a small entourage. The Kaiser rode either on horseback or in the imperial carriage. Following in the footsteps of his immediate entourage in Jerusalem was a parade of lesser-ranked officials, accompanied by cavalry regiments and "kawas" officials – ceremonial Ottoman-Empire bodyguards. Large crowds of people thronged to Jerusalem to witness the occasion. Many were willing to pay money for the privilege of occupying vantage points on rooftops and balconies overlooking the planned route of the procession.
The rarest of the slides in the collection are those that offer snapshots of the proceedings in the course of the official visit of the German head of state, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in Palestine in the year 1898: The imperial yacht (SMY Hohenzollern) disembarking from the Port of Venice (after painting by Hans Bohrdt, Instructor in Painting to the Imperial Court of Wilhelm II); balconies decked with flags and wreaths along Jaffa Road in Jerusalem in honor of the Kaiser's arrival; the Kaiser and his entourage on the Temple Mount, ascending the steps leading up from the Golden Gate; a train adorned with both Ottoman and Prussian flags departing from a train station (most likely the departure of the Kaiser and his entourage from Jerusalem en route to Jaffa); and more.
The majority of slides in the collection present landscapes and sites from all across Palestine, including Jerusalem (the Western Wall, Mt. of Olives, Tower of David, Dome of the Rock), Bethlehem, Jaffa (the Flea Market), Haifa, and other cities; local inhabitants in traditional dress; and more.
A small number of the glass slides are unpainted. The majority are titled (mostly in German) and numbered in handwriting on stickers in the margins. Edges wrapped in black paper tape.
Approx. 65 slides. Approx. 8.5X8.5 – 8.5X10 cm. Condition varies. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes. Number of slides in fair condition, with fractures to glass or blemishes to print. One slide with corner broken off and missing. Collection housed in wooden case.
Three impressive black and white large-format photographs, showing Australian forces in the WWI Palestine Campaign. Taken by the Australian war photographer, Frank Hurley. [1917/1918].
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was formed in 1914 and fought alongside the Allied forces. Apart from taking part in combat throughout Europe, ANZAC is remembered for its major contribution to the British victory in the Sinai and Palestine campaign, and the many battles it took part in: the Battle of Romani over the Suez Canal, the Sinai campaign, the Battle of Gaza, the Battle of Beersheba, and others. In December 1917, the ANZAC mounted division was the first to enter the gates of Jerusalem.
The present lot comprises three large-format photographs, taken by Frank Hurley, Australian war photographer during WWI:
1. Photograph of Australian soldiers posing on a staircase at the foot of the Dome of the Rock. Approx. 38X29.5 cm.
2. Photograph of Australian infantry division in battle (in the Jerusalem area?), crouching behind rocks facing a smoking hill. Approx. 37X13 cm.
3. Photograph of the Australian mounted division crossing a wide plain. Approx. 37X28.5 cm.
Overall good condition. Minor blemishes (primarily to margins). Several minor stains.
James Francis "Frank" Hurley (1885-1962) was an Australian photographer and adventurer, of the first photographers to arrive in Antarctica and a renowned 20th century war photographer. He served as official photographer alongside the Australian forces during both world wars.
Hurley purchased his first camera at the age of 17, and earned a reputation of a fearless photographer, endangering himself in order to produce memorable pictures. Between 1911 and 1916, he participated in two expeditions to Antarctica (with Douglas Mawson and Ernest Schackleton), and produced some of the first color photographs of Antarctica. In 1917, he was made war photographer of the Australian forces, and in this position he created some of the most impressive photographs of battlefields and warfronts. In December 1917, Hurley was sent to Palestine where he carried out several important photographic projects (including aerial filming and color photography). Since most of the important battles were over before he arrived, he staged some of them (including the Battles of Jerusalem, Gaza and Beersheba).
Signed in the plate; signed in pencil.
The name of the artist, "Efraim Moshe son of Yaakov HaKohen Lilien" (Hebrew) appears on one of the stones of the Wall.
Etching: Approx. 49X33 cm (sheet: approx. 69X50 cm). Good condition. Stains to margins. Placed in fine wooden frame; unexamined out of frame.
See: Painting with Light: The Photographic Aspect in the Work of E. M. Lilien, by Micha and Orna Bar-Am. Tel Aviv Museum of Art & Dvir Publishing, 1991, pp. 138-139 (photographed, alongside the photograph the etching is based upon).