Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
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Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $5,250
Including buyer's premium
Miniature manuscript on parchment, order of Brit Milah following Roman rite. [Italy, ca. 18th century].
Thin parchment. Square, vocalized script. Instructions in semi-cursive (Rashi) Sephardic script. Some initial panels and emphasized letters in gold ink.
Includes various prayers and piyyutim for a Brit Milah, including the piyyut Maskil Michtam Shiro Re'im by R. Mordechai Lattes (part of which was customarily recited in Rome on the Shabbat before a Brit Milah; in the present manuscript it appears in its full version).
Order of recital of the name Eliyahu (to be recited 130 times if the time allows) – list of 133(!) different combinations of the letters forming the name Eliyahu.
The piyyut Eftach Befi Aggid Tehilatecha by R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali – the Rabach (disciple of R. Moshe Zacuto) is scribed at the end of the manuscript, introduced by the inscription: "This piyyut is founded upon the heights of holiness, including all the secrets of Milah, for the mohel to recite prior to the circumcision so that his service be accepted willingly and he see success in everything he does, composed by the kabbalist R. Binyamin HaKohen".
[26] written (parchment) leaves + [2] blank parchment leaves. 9 cm. Good condition. Stains and creases. Original leather binding, with gilt decorations (and the initials "E. A. P."); minor defects to binding.
Thin parchment. Square, vocalized script. Instructions in semi-cursive (Rashi) Sephardic script. Some initial panels and emphasized letters in gold ink.
Includes various prayers and piyyutim for a Brit Milah, including the piyyut Maskil Michtam Shiro Re'im by R. Mordechai Lattes (part of which was customarily recited in Rome on the Shabbat before a Brit Milah; in the present manuscript it appears in its full version).
Order of recital of the name Eliyahu (to be recited 130 times if the time allows) – list of 133(!) different combinations of the letters forming the name Eliyahu.
The piyyut Eftach Befi Aggid Tehilatecha by R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali – the Rabach (disciple of R. Moshe Zacuto) is scribed at the end of the manuscript, introduced by the inscription: "This piyyut is founded upon the heights of holiness, including all the secrets of Milah, for the mohel to recite prior to the circumcision so that his service be accepted willingly and he see success in everything he does, composed by the kabbalist R. Binyamin HaKohen".
[26] written (parchment) leaves + [2] blank parchment leaves. 9 cm. Good condition. Stains and creases. Original leather binding, with gilt decorations (and the initials "E. A. P."); minor defects to binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $18,750
Including buyer's premium
Miniature manuscript on parchment, with order of Brit Milah following Roman rite, kabbalistic prayer orders for various occasions, and more. [Italy, ca. 18th century].
Thin parchment. Square, vocalized script. Instructions in semi-cursive (Rashi) Sephardic script.
The manuscript contains:
• Order of Brit Milah, including many prayers and piyyutim, including the Maskil Michtam Shiro Re'im piyyut by R. Mordechai Lattes (part of which was customarily recited in Rome on the Shabbat before a Brit Milah; in the present manuscript it appears in its full version). The order of Brit Milah concludes with the Eftach BeFi Aggid Tehilatecha piyyut by R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali – the Rabach (disciple of R. Moshe Zacuto), to be recited by the mohel prior to the circumcision. • Prayers for epidemics and illnesses: Pitum HaKetoret recited during a plague, prayer for smallpox. • Arvit prayer for Passover with the Leil Shimurim piyyutim. • Hatarat Nedarim recited on Erev Yom Kippur. • Kavanat HaTekiot – Shofar blowing for Rosh Hashana, with kabbalistic prayers and kavanot, including the accurate text of the Arizal's prayer for shofar blowing. • Tashlich, and other kabbalistic prayers.
Gilt decorations on binding. Coat of arms of the Uzielli family of Florence on front and back boards.
[82] written (parchment) leaves + approx. 20 blank parchment leaves. Approx. 9.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (some leaves with many stains). Creases. Original leather binding.
Thin parchment. Square, vocalized script. Instructions in semi-cursive (Rashi) Sephardic script.
The manuscript contains:
• Order of Brit Milah, including many prayers and piyyutim, including the Maskil Michtam Shiro Re'im piyyut by R. Mordechai Lattes (part of which was customarily recited in Rome on the Shabbat before a Brit Milah; in the present manuscript it appears in its full version). The order of Brit Milah concludes with the Eftach BeFi Aggid Tehilatecha piyyut by R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali – the Rabach (disciple of R. Moshe Zacuto), to be recited by the mohel prior to the circumcision. • Prayers for epidemics and illnesses: Pitum HaKetoret recited during a plague, prayer for smallpox. • Arvit prayer for Passover with the Leil Shimurim piyyutim. • Hatarat Nedarim recited on Erev Yom Kippur. • Kavanat HaTekiot – Shofar blowing for Rosh Hashana, with kabbalistic prayers and kavanot, including the accurate text of the Arizal's prayer for shofar blowing. • Tashlich, and other kabbalistic prayers.
Gilt decorations on binding. Coat of arms of the Uzielli family of Florence on front and back boards.
[82] written (parchment) leaves + approx. 20 blank parchment leaves. Approx. 9.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (some leaves with many stains). Creases. Original leather binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,375
Including buyer's premium
Miniature manuscript, Sefirat HaOmer. [Italy, ca. 18th century].
Italian square script (semi-cursive script on one page), on thick paper. Includes the order of counting of the Omer, with prayers, the blessing, kavanot and related verses based on kabbalah. Concludes with a LaMenatze'ach Menorah.
[28] leaves. 7 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases, folding marks and wear. Hole to one leaf, not affecting text. Old leather binding, with gilt ornaments and the initials "S.A." on both boards. Binding partially detached. Minor damage to binding.
Italian square script (semi-cursive script on one page), on thick paper. Includes the order of counting of the Omer, with prayers, the blessing, kavanot and related verses based on kabbalah. Concludes with a LaMenatze'ach Menorah.
[28] leaves. 7 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases, folding marks and wear. Hole to one leaf, not affecting text. Old leather binding, with gilt ornaments and the initials "S.A." on both boards. Binding partially detached. Minor damage to binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Manuscript, prayers recited in the synagogue at the bimah. Leschnitz (Leśnica, present day: Poland), [18th/19th century?].
Manuscript on parchment. Ashkenazic square script, mostly vocalized. First page with pair of columns flanking text and supporting an arch. Dedication inscribed within the pedestals of the columns (partially faded): "This booklet was donated by the community leader Shmuel Katz and his modest wife T[?] Sorl of Leschnitz".
The manuscript includes: Yehi Ratzon prayers recited after the Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays, the HaGomel blessing and Mi Sheberach prayer for the sick, the Lechah Dodi piyyut, Haftarah blessings, Yekum Purkan and Mi Sheberach recited on Shabbat after the Torah reading, prayer for the monarchy, blessing of the new month, Yizkor, El Maleh Rachamim, Av HaRachamim, Mi Sheberach for those who fast on Mondays and Thursdays, naming of a newborn girl, Eruvin (Eruv Tavshilin, Eruv Chatzerot and Eruv Techumin), blessings for the Purim Megillah reading (including the Asher Heni and Shoshanat Yaakov piyyutim), order of Shofar blowing (with kavanot), and Haftarah for a public fast.
Set in the architectonic gate on the first page is a prayer recited by the congregation during the Mussaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the Three Festivals, and on Shabbat when the new month is announced.
[8] leaves. 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and creases. Ink faded in several places. Margins trimmed close to text. New binding.
Manuscript on parchment. Ashkenazic square script, mostly vocalized. First page with pair of columns flanking text and supporting an arch. Dedication inscribed within the pedestals of the columns (partially faded): "This booklet was donated by the community leader Shmuel Katz and his modest wife T[?] Sorl of Leschnitz".
The manuscript includes: Yehi Ratzon prayers recited after the Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays, the HaGomel blessing and Mi Sheberach prayer for the sick, the Lechah Dodi piyyut, Haftarah blessings, Yekum Purkan and Mi Sheberach recited on Shabbat after the Torah reading, prayer for the monarchy, blessing of the new month, Yizkor, El Maleh Rachamim, Av HaRachamim, Mi Sheberach for those who fast on Mondays and Thursdays, naming of a newborn girl, Eruvin (Eruv Tavshilin, Eruv Chatzerot and Eruv Techumin), blessings for the Purim Megillah reading (including the Asher Heni and Shoshanat Yaakov piyyutim), order of Shofar blowing (with kavanot), and Haftarah for a public fast.
Set in the architectonic gate on the first page is a prayer recited by the congregation during the Mussaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the Three Festivals, and on Shabbat when the new month is announced.
[8] leaves. 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and creases. Ink faded in several places. Margins trimmed close to text. New binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Passover Haggadah, "in the Holy Tongue with Italian translation, with several illustrations of all the wonders performed for our forefathers...". Venice: Giovanni Caleoni for Bragadin, 1629.
Roman rite Haggadah, with the Tzeli Esh commentary by R. Yehuda Aryeh Modena (an abridgement of Abarbanel's Zevach Pesach), and Italian translation (in Hebrew characters). Each page of text set in an architectonic frame.
Many woodcuts throughout the Haggadah – woodcut initials, illustrations depicting the Ten Plagues, the stages of the Seder, and other scenes. Italian translation at the foot and on the sides of the pages.
On the final leaf, the piyyut Allmächtiger Gott – German in Hebrew letters.
Two additional versions of this Haggadah appeared concurrently, with Ladino and Yiddish translations. This Haggadah served as model for several subsequent editions. See: Cecil Roth, HaHaggadah HaMetzuyeret ShebiDfus – Areshet, III, 1961, p. 22.
[26] leaves. Approx. 35 cm. Fair condition. Several leaves in fair-poor condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Large, dark stains to many leaves. Tears, including open tears, affecting text and illustrations, repaired in part with paper and tape (dark tape in several places). Tears and open tears to title page, affecting border, repaired with paper (most of title page mounted on paper for reinforcement). Inner margins of most leaves reinforced with paper, with damage to text, frames and illustrations in several places. Worming affecting text and illustrations (several leaves with extensive worming). Censorship signature on final leaf. Loose leaves. Non-original binding, damaged. Tear to spine.
Yaari 41; Otzar HaHaggadot 55.
Roman rite Haggadah, with the Tzeli Esh commentary by R. Yehuda Aryeh Modena (an abridgement of Abarbanel's Zevach Pesach), and Italian translation (in Hebrew characters). Each page of text set in an architectonic frame.
Many woodcuts throughout the Haggadah – woodcut initials, illustrations depicting the Ten Plagues, the stages of the Seder, and other scenes. Italian translation at the foot and on the sides of the pages.
On the final leaf, the piyyut Allmächtiger Gott – German in Hebrew letters.
Two additional versions of this Haggadah appeared concurrently, with Ladino and Yiddish translations. This Haggadah served as model for several subsequent editions. See: Cecil Roth, HaHaggadah HaMetzuyeret ShebiDfus – Areshet, III, 1961, p. 22.
[26] leaves. Approx. 35 cm. Fair condition. Several leaves in fair-poor condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Large, dark stains to many leaves. Tears, including open tears, affecting text and illustrations, repaired in part with paper and tape (dark tape in several places). Tears and open tears to title page, affecting border, repaired with paper (most of title page mounted on paper for reinforcement). Inner margins of most leaves reinforced with paper, with damage to text, frames and illustrations in several places. Worming affecting text and illustrations (several leaves with extensive worming). Censorship signature on final leaf. Loose leaves. Non-original binding, damaged. Tear to spine.
Yaari 41; Otzar HaHaggadot 55.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $5,750
Including buyer's premium
Sod Hashem – with Sharbit HaZahav, order of Brit Milah with prayers, Birkat HaMazon, laws and commentaries, by R. David of Lida Rabbi of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, [1680]. Engraved title page, depicting Biblical scenes. Calendar of tekufot for the years 1679-1826 at the end of the book.
First edition of the famous work about Brit Milah. The book was printed in dozens of editions and copied in many manuscripts. The various editions of the book were very popular amongst mohalim, who would bind their circumcision ledgers with it.
At the end of Birkat HaMazon, colophon by: " The print worker, Yaakov Chaim son of R. Moshe Refael de Cordova of Brazil" – the community of Brazil mentioned here is the first Jewish community founded in the Americas – in Recife, Brazil. The community was founded by Jews from the Portuguese community in Amsterdam, who immigrated to Brazil with the Dutch conquest of the country from the hands of Portugal. Prior to that, the city was home to Marranos who arrived during the Portuguese rule (ca. 1602-1630), and clandestinely upheld Torah observance under the rule of the Inquisition. Only after the Dutch conquest in 1630 was the first official, overt Jewish community founded, including a synagogue and communal institutions. This community, named Tzur Yisrael, operated for a short time only (some twenty years), until Brazil was retaken by the Portuguese in 1654. Most of the community members returned to their home town, Amsterdam (the surrender agreement of the Dutch government included a clause guaranteeing that Jews would be able to sell their property and leave Brazil unhindered), and a small part of them immigrated to other places in America (to French Guiana and Dutch Guiana, to the Caribbean Islands, and elsewhere). Documents from that time disclose that in Elul 1654, twenty-three Jewish refugees from Brazil reached New Amsterdam, later to be renamed New York. These were the first Jews in New York and its surroundings.
The introduction to the book Kitvei Rabbenu Yitzchak Aboab da Fonseca – Chachmei Recife VeAmsterdam (Mifal Torat Chachmei Holland, Machon Yerushalayim, 2007, p. 59), suggests that R. Yaakov Chaim de Cordova – the print worker documented in the present book – may have been the son of R. Moshe Refael de Aguilar, who was one of the rabbis and leaders of the Jewish community in Recife and Amsterdam (relying on the assumption that the Aguilar family originated from Cordova, Spain, and later moved to Aguilar, Portugal).
Inscription on the title page: "Moshe Goldstein, priced at 2 gulden". Stamp: "Dov Berush Katz – Alexander". Inscription in Ashkenazic script on the back endpaper with kabbalistic teachings on Brit Milah.
13, [1] leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and tears. Detached leaves. Old binding, damaged.
First edition of the famous work about Brit Milah. The book was printed in dozens of editions and copied in many manuscripts. The various editions of the book were very popular amongst mohalim, who would bind their circumcision ledgers with it.
At the end of Birkat HaMazon, colophon by: " The print worker, Yaakov Chaim son of R. Moshe Refael de Cordova of Brazil" – the community of Brazil mentioned here is the first Jewish community founded in the Americas – in Recife, Brazil. The community was founded by Jews from the Portuguese community in Amsterdam, who immigrated to Brazil with the Dutch conquest of the country from the hands of Portugal. Prior to that, the city was home to Marranos who arrived during the Portuguese rule (ca. 1602-1630), and clandestinely upheld Torah observance under the rule of the Inquisition. Only after the Dutch conquest in 1630 was the first official, overt Jewish community founded, including a synagogue and communal institutions. This community, named Tzur Yisrael, operated for a short time only (some twenty years), until Brazil was retaken by the Portuguese in 1654. Most of the community members returned to their home town, Amsterdam (the surrender agreement of the Dutch government included a clause guaranteeing that Jews would be able to sell their property and leave Brazil unhindered), and a small part of them immigrated to other places in America (to French Guiana and Dutch Guiana, to the Caribbean Islands, and elsewhere). Documents from that time disclose that in Elul 1654, twenty-three Jewish refugees from Brazil reached New Amsterdam, later to be renamed New York. These were the first Jews in New York and its surroundings.
The introduction to the book Kitvei Rabbenu Yitzchak Aboab da Fonseca – Chachmei Recife VeAmsterdam (Mifal Torat Chachmei Holland, Machon Yerushalayim, 2007, p. 59), suggests that R. Yaakov Chaim de Cordova – the print worker documented in the present book – may have been the son of R. Moshe Refael de Aguilar, who was one of the rabbis and leaders of the Jewish community in Recife and Amsterdam (relying on the assumption that the Aguilar family originated from Cordova, Spain, and later moved to Aguilar, Portugal).
Inscription on the title page: "Moshe Goldstein, priced at 2 gulden". Stamp: "Dov Berush Katz – Alexander". Inscription in Ashkenazic script on the back endpaper with kabbalistic teachings on Brit Milah.
13, [1] leaves. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and tears. Detached leaves. Old binding, damaged.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue
Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
November 23, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
64-year calendar, with order of counting of the Omer, Tefillat HaDerech, table of year-round Haftarot according to various rites, and more; with many illustrations. Verona, 1826. Pocket edition.
The book begins with a folded plate – table of year types for 1826-1889.
Pp. 1-28 list the days when Rosh Chodesh, the festivals and fasts would fall each year. This is followed by illustrations of the 12 Zodiac signs (pp. 29-30).
Pp. 33-36: Tefillat HaDerech.
Pp. 38-63: Sefirat HaOmer (Ashkenazi rite), with divisional title page depicting the sun and moon. Each page contains the counting of the Omer for two days, with an illustration (fine images of flowers, animals and more).
pp. 72-77: Table of year-round Haftarot according to Sephardi and Ashkenazi customs. Italian parables on the final pages.
Additional Latin title page: Ephemeris Haebraica de anno milesimo octingentesimo vigesimo sexto, locupletata sententiis ecclesiasticis.
[1] folded plate, [2], 77; 13 pages. 12 cm. Good condition. Margins trimmed unevenly. Stains. Folded plate with worming affecting text and minor marginal tear. Minor marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Signature inside front board and on verso of folded plate (in Latin characters). Old binding, damaged and partially detached, without spine.
The NLI digitized copy (from the Valmadonna Trust Library) includes printed wrappers in Hebrew and Italian, not found in the present copy.
The book begins with a folded plate – table of year types for 1826-1889.
Pp. 1-28 list the days when Rosh Chodesh, the festivals and fasts would fall each year. This is followed by illustrations of the 12 Zodiac signs (pp. 29-30).
Pp. 33-36: Tefillat HaDerech.
Pp. 38-63: Sefirat HaOmer (Ashkenazi rite), with divisional title page depicting the sun and moon. Each page contains the counting of the Omer for two days, with an illustration (fine images of flowers, animals and more).
pp. 72-77: Table of year-round Haftarot according to Sephardi and Ashkenazi customs. Italian parables on the final pages.
Additional Latin title page: Ephemeris Haebraica de anno milesimo octingentesimo vigesimo sexto, locupletata sententiis ecclesiasticis.
[1] folded plate, [2], 77; 13 pages. 12 cm. Good condition. Margins trimmed unevenly. Stains. Folded plate with worming affecting text and minor marginal tear. Minor marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text. Signature inside front board and on verso of folded plate (in Latin characters). Old binding, damaged and partially detached, without spine.
The NLI digitized copy (from the Valmadonna Trust Library) includes printed wrappers in Hebrew and Italian, not found in the present copy.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books – Manuscripts and Books
Catalogue