June 10, 2004—Kestenbaum & Company will conduct an auction of Fine Judaica on Tuesday, June 29th at 3:00 p.m. The eclectic sale will include numerous Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Holy Land Maps and Views and Ceremonial Art from the collection of Daniel M. Friedenberg, Greenwich, Connecticut.
An unusual French Torah Scroll with beautiful carved wooden rollers from 18th century Cavaillon is the top lot of the sale. The scroll features a unique combination of Aschkenazik and Sephardic influences and is estimated at $40,000-60,000. Also of note is a 14th century Yemenite manuscript of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, estimate $35,000-45,000 and a massive 6-volume Philo-Semitic Marrano manuscript dated from 1700-1725 at an estimate of $15,000-20,000. Additionally among the manuscripts are a number of Bible and other Hebrew fragments dating back to the 10th century as well as beautiful medieval illuminated leaves from Hebrew festival prayer books.
Kabbalistic texts, Jerusalem Imprints, Liturgies, Hagadahs, Illustrated Books, Early Printed Hebrew Texts from the 15th and 16th century, and many fine Bindings all feature prominently in the extensive book section of the sale. Highlights include a rare Pesaro edition of Rabbi Bachiah’s Kabbalistic commentary to the Pentateuch, 1514, estimate $15,000-20,000, an exceptionally fine Hebrew-Spanish Prayer-Book from Venice, 1622, estimate $15,000-20,000 and a rare Ladino edition of the Passover Hagadah from Venice, 1740 in exceptional condition at an estimate of $7,000-9,000.
The book section also includes a selection of American Judaica, French Judaica, and British Government Reports of the Palestine Mandate Period. A good example of American Judaica is a rare Burial Society booklet from Surinam, 1827, at an estimate of $5,000-7,000.
A single owner collection of Holy Land Maps and Views features a large six-sheet map by Janssonius, 1658, estimate $3,000-4,000 and other maps by Ortelius, Visscher and Blaeu, plus views by Schedel and Ptolemaeus.
The Ceremonial Art section includes Judaic ritual and personal objects dating from the 18th -20th centuries. Many pieces have been consigned from the renowned Daniel M. Friedenberg collection. Among the items to be auctioned are numerous Hanukkah and Sabbath lamps, Passover Seder Plates and other items used in the synagogue and for the Sabbath and Jewish Festivals.

Click here for full details for the Catalogue