Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Notes and Drafts Used for Preparation of Ben-Yehuda's Dictionary - Notes Handwritten by Ben-Yehuda
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Collection of handwritten notes and leaves of writings, which were used for the preparation of entries for the "Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew" (Ben-Yehuda's Dictionary) - all refer to words starting with the letter "Shin".
The collection includes:
· About 108 handwritten notes with words and short comments that are related to them: references, sources, quotations, and examples from Hebrew literature throughout the generations, which were used by Ben-Yehuda and his successors while preparing the entries starting with the letter "Shin" in the dictionary. At least 18 of the notes were written by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and relate to different words starting with "Shin" which Ben-Yehuda included in this dictionary (some notes with only single words written by him). About 90 of the notes were handwritten by successors of Ben-Yehuda who edited the dictionary (see hereunder).
· 40 handwritten leaves (different handwritings, of Ben-Yehuda's successors), drafts for various entries (as well as several leaves referring only to one word "Shmama").
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (1858-1922) pioneer of Hebrew speech and the study of Hebrew; the driving spirit behind the revival of the Hebrew language. Ben-Yehuda spread his ideas through his newspapers, founded "Va'ad HaLashon" and composed the "Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew", which is considered his lifetime endeavor. The dictionary was published gradually during the years 1908-1959; the complete dictionary consists of sixteen volumes, with the addition of an introductory volume. The first five volumes were printed prior to World War I and were the only ones published before Ben-Yehuda's death. Ben-Yehuda did edit the sixth and seventh volumes prior to his death, and they were printed posthumously (thanks to efforts on the part of his widow Hemda and their son Ehud and with the assistance of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda's secretary, Moshe Bar-Nissim). The eighth and ninth volumes were edited by Moshe Tsvi Segal, while the remaining volumes, including the introduction, were edited by Naftali Hertz Torczyner (Tur-Sinai).
The items were exhibited in an exhibition devoted to of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, held in Holon in 1964. Enclosed: Four photographs from the exhibition (seen in one of the photographs is Ben-Yehuda's son, Ehud, talking about his father).
Size of notes varies; average size: 12X8 cm (some are smaller or larger). Dry and fragile paper. Tears and creases at margins. Some notes are written on printed paper (secondary use). 40 leaves, approx. 12X30 cm. Tears at margins, some folding marks and creases. Photographs are mounted on Bristol leaves.
The collection includes:
· About 108 handwritten notes with words and short comments that are related to them: references, sources, quotations, and examples from Hebrew literature throughout the generations, which were used by Ben-Yehuda and his successors while preparing the entries starting with the letter "Shin" in the dictionary. At least 18 of the notes were written by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and relate to different words starting with "Shin" which Ben-Yehuda included in this dictionary (some notes with only single words written by him). About 90 of the notes were handwritten by successors of Ben-Yehuda who edited the dictionary (see hereunder).
· 40 handwritten leaves (different handwritings, of Ben-Yehuda's successors), drafts for various entries (as well as several leaves referring only to one word "Shmama").
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (1858-1922) pioneer of Hebrew speech and the study of Hebrew; the driving spirit behind the revival of the Hebrew language. Ben-Yehuda spread his ideas through his newspapers, founded "Va'ad HaLashon" and composed the "Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew", which is considered his lifetime endeavor. The dictionary was published gradually during the years 1908-1959; the complete dictionary consists of sixteen volumes, with the addition of an introductory volume. The first five volumes were printed prior to World War I and were the only ones published before Ben-Yehuda's death. Ben-Yehuda did edit the sixth and seventh volumes prior to his death, and they were printed posthumously (thanks to efforts on the part of his widow Hemda and their son Ehud and with the assistance of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda's secretary, Moshe Bar-Nissim). The eighth and ninth volumes were edited by Moshe Tsvi Segal, while the remaining volumes, including the introduction, were edited by Naftali Hertz Torczyner (Tur-Sinai).
The items were exhibited in an exhibition devoted to of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, held in Holon in 1964. Enclosed: Four photographs from the exhibition (seen in one of the photographs is Ben-Yehuda's son, Ehud, talking about his father).
Size of notes varies; average size: 12X8 cm (some are smaller or larger). Dry and fragile paper. Tears and creases at margins. Some notes are written on printed paper (secondary use). 40 leaves, approx. 12X30 cm. Tears at margins, some folding marks and creases. Photographs are mounted on Bristol leaves.