Auction 89 - Rare and Important Items
Maor VaShemesh – First Edition, Breslau, 1842 – False Imprints on Both Title Pages (Lviv, 1785)
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, two parts, by Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Kraków. [Breslau, 1842]. First edition. On both title pages, false imprints: "Printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rabinstein in 1785". Some of the approbations are dated 1842.
Two parts in two volumes. Separate title page for each part.
Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, an important classic Chassidic book, printed together with the Chumash in many editions. The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Kraków (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as of equal stature to the Baal Shem Tov himself. He also frequented the courts of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Following the passing of his teacher R. Elimelech, he began travelling to the Chozeh of Lublin, to R. Ber of Radoshitz, to the Maggid of Kozhnitz and to R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his lifetime, and accounts of revelations of Divine Inspiration and wonders circulated about him. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe and he became the first disseminator of Chassidut in Kraków, where those seeking to draw close to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidut (Mitnagdim) in Kraków, who even announced a ban on Chassidut in 1786. When the persecutions reached the point of informing and imprisonment, R. Kalman moved to his hometown of Neustadt and established his court there. In ca. 1820, he returned to Kraków, and that is where he is buried.
Two parts in two volume. Vol. I: [2], 144 leaves. Vol. II: [1], 145-190, 192-277, [2] leaves. Lacking leaf 191. 22.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including many dark stains and dampstains. Wear. Mold to several leaves of vol. II. Worming, affecting text. Tears, including minor open tears to title pages, and minor open tears slightly affecting text on two leaves of vol. II. Inscriptions, signatures and stamps. New leather bindings.
There are copies with variant title pages, including copies with a title page to part I only; copies stating a false name of printer, yet the correct date: "1842", and copies with true imprints stating that the book was printed in 1842 in "Breslau, by R. Hirsch Sulzbach". This is a unique copy, featuring two title pages with entirely false imprints: "Printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rabinstein in 1785".
Two parts in two volumes. Separate title page for each part.
Maor VaShemesh on the Torah, an important classic Chassidic book, printed together with the Chumash in many editions. The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Kraków (1751-1823), was an outstanding Torah scholar both in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, leading disciple of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, whom he regarded as of equal stature to the Baal Shem Tov himself. He also frequented the courts of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Following the passing of his teacher R. Elimelech, he began travelling to the Chozeh of Lublin, to R. Ber of Radoshitz, to the Maggid of Kozhnitz and to R. Mendele of Rimanov (who acclaimed him as "Shomer HaBrit"). He was renowned as a holy man already in his lifetime, and accounts of revelations of Divine Inspiration and wonders circulated about him. His teacher R. Elimelech of Lizhensk appointed him as rebbe and he became the first disseminator of Chassidut in Kraków, where those seeking to draw close to G-d gathered around him, later becoming prominent Chassidic leaders. He was repeatedly persecuted by opponents of Chassidut (Mitnagdim) in Kraków, who even announced a ban on Chassidut in 1786. When the persecutions reached the point of informing and imprisonment, R. Kalman moved to his hometown of Neustadt and established his court there. In ca. 1820, he returned to Kraków, and that is where he is buried.
Two parts in two volume. Vol. I: [2], 144 leaves. Vol. II: [1], 145-190, 192-277, [2] leaves. Lacking leaf 191. 22.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including many dark stains and dampstains. Wear. Mold to several leaves of vol. II. Worming, affecting text. Tears, including minor open tears to title pages, and minor open tears slightly affecting text on two leaves of vol. II. Inscriptions, signatures and stamps. New leather bindings.
There are copies with variant title pages, including copies with a title page to part I only; copies stating a false name of printer, yet the correct date: "1842", and copies with true imprints stating that the book was printed in 1842 in "Breslau, by R. Hirsch Sulzbach". This is a unique copy, featuring two title pages with entirely false imprints: "Printed by Rebbetzin Yehudit Rabinstein in 1785".
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books