Auction 71 - The Collection of Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
"Jewish Ceremonies" by Paul Christian Kirchner – Nuremberg, 1724 / "Instruction of the Judeo-German Style and Script" by Johann Christoph Wagenseil – Frankfurt, 1715
Opening: $300
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Two books bound together: "Jewish Ceremonies" by Paul Christian Kirchner and "Instruction of the Judeo-German Style and Script" by Johann Christoph Wagenseil. Frankfurt and Nuremberg: Peter Conrad Monath, 1715-1724.
1. Jüdisches Ceremoniel, oder, Beschreibung dererjenigen Gebräuche [Jewish Ceremonies…], by Paul Christian Kirchner. Nuremberg, 1724. German. First edition with engravings.
A detailed description of Jewish customs and ceremonies in 18th century Germany, by Paul Christian Kirchner, accompanied by thirty engraved plates (except for one – the engraved title page – all are folding). The engravings depict various Jewish ceremonies, including laying of phylacteries, Sabbath and holidays in the synagogue, and more.
The book was first published in 1716 (without engravings). The author, who was born to a Jewish family, converted to Christianity several years before writing it. In his introduction, he stated his intentions to convince other Jews to follow his example. In 1724, the work was re-edited by Sebastian Jacob Jugendres, who toned down Kirchner's coarse language, as well as his scornful attitude to all things Jewish.
[5] leaves, 226, [18] pp + [30] engraved plates (most of them mounted to leaf margins) + [1] explanatory plate (Erklärung der Kupfer), detached.
2. Belehrung der Jüdisch-Deutschen Red- und Schreibart [Instruction of the Judeo-German Style and Script], by Johann Christoph Wagenseil. Frankfurt, 1715. German, Latin, Hebrew and Yiddish-Teitsch.
A study of the Yiddish-Teitsch language, by Johann Christoph Wagenseil. A collection of texts in German, Hebrew, Yiddish-Teitsch and Latin, including: Three Yiddish songs for Passover, a guide for reading Yiddish-Teitsch, Masechet Nega'im (Tractate of Blemishes; (Hebrew and German), a text about the Fettmilch uprising in Frankfurt in 1614 (German, Yiddish-Teitsch and Latin), Hilchot Derech Eretz (Book of Proper Conduct; (Yiddish-Teitsch), a discussion of the question of whether the Holy Scriptures allow a person to marry two sisters (German) and the Legend of King Arthur (Yiddish-Teitsch).
The texts are accompanied by six engraved plates: four full-page engravings – depiction of a Chalitzah shoe, the Arch of Titus in Rome, and more; and two folding engraved plates portraying scenes taken from the Triumphal March relief on the Arch of Titus.
The author, Johann Christoph Wagenseil (1633-1705), a German theologian and Hebraist, was preoccupied with the question of Jews and Judaism. Several of his compositions presented evidence of the negative Jewish attitude to Christianity, yet he opposed forcible conversion.
[82], 334, 56, [3] pp + [6] engraved plates.
19 cm volume. Good overall condition. Stains. Minor blemishes. Several tears. The explanatory plate in Kirchner's book is detached. Notations and inked stamps to front endpapers. Vellum-covered binding, stained and slightly worn.
1. Jüdisches Ceremoniel, oder, Beschreibung dererjenigen Gebräuche [Jewish Ceremonies…], by Paul Christian Kirchner. Nuremberg, 1724. German. First edition with engravings.
A detailed description of Jewish customs and ceremonies in 18th century Germany, by Paul Christian Kirchner, accompanied by thirty engraved plates (except for one – the engraved title page – all are folding). The engravings depict various Jewish ceremonies, including laying of phylacteries, Sabbath and holidays in the synagogue, and more.
The book was first published in 1716 (without engravings). The author, who was born to a Jewish family, converted to Christianity several years before writing it. In his introduction, he stated his intentions to convince other Jews to follow his example. In 1724, the work was re-edited by Sebastian Jacob Jugendres, who toned down Kirchner's coarse language, as well as his scornful attitude to all things Jewish.
[5] leaves, 226, [18] pp + [30] engraved plates (most of them mounted to leaf margins) + [1] explanatory plate (Erklärung der Kupfer), detached.
2. Belehrung der Jüdisch-Deutschen Red- und Schreibart [Instruction of the Judeo-German Style and Script], by Johann Christoph Wagenseil. Frankfurt, 1715. German, Latin, Hebrew and Yiddish-Teitsch.
A study of the Yiddish-Teitsch language, by Johann Christoph Wagenseil. A collection of texts in German, Hebrew, Yiddish-Teitsch and Latin, including: Three Yiddish songs for Passover, a guide for reading Yiddish-Teitsch, Masechet Nega'im (Tractate of Blemishes; (Hebrew and German), a text about the Fettmilch uprising in Frankfurt in 1614 (German, Yiddish-Teitsch and Latin), Hilchot Derech Eretz (Book of Proper Conduct; (Yiddish-Teitsch), a discussion of the question of whether the Holy Scriptures allow a person to marry two sisters (German) and the Legend of King Arthur (Yiddish-Teitsch).
The texts are accompanied by six engraved plates: four full-page engravings – depiction of a Chalitzah shoe, the Arch of Titus in Rome, and more; and two folding engraved plates portraying scenes taken from the Triumphal March relief on the Arch of Titus.
The author, Johann Christoph Wagenseil (1633-1705), a German theologian and Hebraist, was preoccupied with the question of Jews and Judaism. Several of his compositions presented evidence of the negative Jewish attitude to Christianity, yet he opposed forcible conversion.
[82], 334, 56, [3] pp + [6] engraved plates.
19 cm volume. Good overall condition. Stains. Minor blemishes. Several tears. The explanatory plate in Kirchner's book is detached. Notations and inked stamps to front endpapers. Vellum-covered binding, stained and slightly worn.
Biblical Studies, Jewish History and Customs
Biblical Studies, Jewish History and Customs