June 3, 1997

Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art
Including Property from a Dutch Private Collector and
The Late T. Nachum Gidal

Kestenbaum & Company's second auction (360 lots) was evenly balanced between the sections of Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art. The crowded and energetic auction testified to the confidence Hebrew Book and Art collectors felt over the return to New York of a seasoned and knowledgeable professional presence at the helm of this exciting field.

• The first English translation of the Hagadah (London, 1770) sold to an American telephone bidder against a European institution for $12,650,
• A supremely handsome copy of the celebrated Prayer Book known as the Shelah Siddur (Amsterdam 1717) made $13,800.
• Among the Manuscripts was an exquisite Marriage Contract from the union of two prominent Italian families (Mantua 1756) which reached $46,000
• Of the Ceremonial Art, an important early 18th century Italian bronze Chanukah Lamp, sold for $11,500