Manuscripts
Concerning 1555 Printing And Burning Of Talmud In Italy, Brings
$149,500
Catalogue cover lot, a beautiful liturgical illuminated vellum
manuscript of selected prayers by Nathan ben Samson of
Mehzeritch, 1728; $59,800 against a pre-sale estimate of
$30/40,000.
NEW YORK CITY - A collection of manuscripts concerning the
printing of the Talmud in Italy, and the subsequent public
burning of these tomes by order of the Pope in 1555, was the top
lot of Kestenbaum & Company's sale of Fine Judaica on March
11. Estimated at $50/70,000, the collection commanded fierce
bidding in the room and the phones and ultimately achieved
$149,500.
The auction featured Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts and Works
of Graphic Art. Another outstanding manuscript finding favor with
buyers was the catalogue cover lot, a beautiful liturgical
illuminated vellum manuscript of selected prayers by Nathan ben
Samson of Mehzeritch, 1728. This example of Eighteenth Century
Jewish art, with particularly well-executed illustrations and
calligraphy and in very fresh condition, realized $59,800 against
a pre-sale estimate of $30/40,000. Also popular with bidders in
the manuscript section was Maimonides' The Book of
Precepts, 1492, which earned $23,000. This manuscript
includes almost the entire text of Maimonides' The Book of
Precepts in the original Arabic version. There are only
six or seven complete or close to complete manuscript copies of
the Arabic version extant.
Hebrew Bible printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice, 1524. It sold
for $86,250, almost tripling its pre-sale estimate of
$20/30,000.
The best seller in the Printed Books section was a Hebrew Bible
printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice, 1524. This four-volume set
was in fine condition and commanded a premium price of $86,250,
almost tripling its pre-sale estimate of $20/30,000. A book of
Rabbinic Code by Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi, Venice, 1521-2 also
performed well. This fine copy of an exceptionally rare and
important edition attained $43,700. Another Hebrew Bible, a
wide-margined copy of a rare Venetian edition, dated 1528,
exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $15/20,000 and brought in
$25,300. The aesthetic appeal of early printed Hebrew books in
magnificent period bindings also translated into strong results
such as the $27,600 garnered for a Bible in a fine contemporary
Grolier-style binding, Antwerp, 1573.
Rounding out the sale was an early Americana Marriage Contract on
paper from 1751. One of the earliest American Kethuboth extant,
the work was purchased for $17,250.
Daniel Kestenbaum, chairman of Kestenbaum & Company commented
after the sale, "I am once again quite satisfied with the results
we achieved. Undoubtedly, top quality books and manuscripts such
as the ones presently offered will always command exceptional
prices."
Kestenbaum & Company's forthcoming auctions of Fine Judaica
for the 2003 season will be held on May 12, June 10, and November
18. For information, 212-366-1197.
