Kestenbaum and Company’s first Judaica auction of the 2005-2006 season got off to a rousing start on September 20 with nearly 90 percent of the more than 340 lots on offer being sold. The sale, which consisted of printed books and manuscripts, featured a collection of some 120 lots of Hebrew books consigned from the library of a dedicated bibliophile. All but three of those books found homes. Categories that performed particularly well were Americana, books dealing with Chassidism and liturgical books.

Bringing in the highest price of the day was a rarity of French Judaica, Lettre d’Espagne presentee a la Royne Regente, Par le Sieur Philotee Elian de Mont Alto, Paris, 1614. This scarce personal and political statement realized $82,600. A portfolio by artist Arthur Szyk, “The Statute of Kalisz,” Paris, 1925, was another top seller. Never before seen at auction, it was purchased for $64,900 against an estimate of $30/40,000.

In the American Judaica section, buyers were drawn to a collection of Speeches on the Jew Bill in the House of Delegates in Maryland, Philadelphia, 1829. Estimated at $6/8,000, it sold for $49,560 after some highly competitive bidding. A handsome copy of Sepher Tehillim, Cambridge, 1809, the first printing of any part of the Bible in Hebrew in America, was another fine example of Americana garnering $23,600.

The first complete set of the Talmud printed in Germany, published by Behrend Lehmann, 1697-1699, sold for $24,780.

Further highlighting the sale was the first complete set ofthe Talmud printed in Germany, published by Behrend Lehmann,1697-1699, which realized $24,780 against an estimate of$15/20,000. Other standouts included a lavishly deluxe copy of thecelebrated and influential Second Amsterdam Hagadah, 1712,$20,060; a complete first edition Hebrew Grammar andDictionary by Alfonso de Zamora, Spain, 1526, $25,960; and aPentateuch with the first appearance of the commentary known as “OrHa’chaim,” Venice, 1742, $22,420.

Additional strong performers included a First Edition of Maimonides Mishneh Torah, Venice, 1574-1575 which was bought for $10,620 against an estimate of $6/8,000; a Book of Commandments by Marrano physician-scholar Abraham Pharar, Declaracaõ das 613 Encomendancas de nossa Sancta Ley, conforme à Exposissaõ de nossos Sabios, muy neçessaria ao Judesmo, Amsterdam, 1624, which reached $17,700, more than tripling its $5/7,000presale estimate; and a very attractive Siddur Tikunei Shabbath, Zhitomir, 1848, which realized $14,750, sailing over its presale estimate of $5/7,000. All prices given include a buyer’s premium.

Kestenbaum and Company’s forthcoming sale of fine Judaica will include books from the library of Jacobo Furman of Santiago, Chile, the remaining books and manuscripts from the library of Professor Abraham J. Karp, graphic art from the collection of Daniel M. Friedenberg, ceremonial art and other diverse Judaica, and will take place on Tuesday, December 13. Kestenbaum’s is at 12 West 27th Street, 13th Floor. For information, 212-366-1197 or www.kestenbaum.net.