Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Arts

Auction 92

February 18, 2021 at 1:00pm

Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Arts

1


Post-Auction Report: Sale 92, February 18, 2021

Kestenbaum & Company was privileged to again offer an auction comprising of premier Judaica, Hebrew books and Fine Art. The highlight of the sale was an extensive collection of rabbinic autographed letters written by leading rabbis spanning the past two centuries. Among them, a manuscript by R. Akiva Eger fetched $19,000 against its initial estimate of $10,000-15,000 (Lot 61). A letter from R. Sholom Eliezer Halberstam, Rebbe of Ratzfert accomplished $30,000, more than four times its estimate of $5,000-7,000 (Lot 78). Similarly, a postcard from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam of Tchechoyv brought in $7,000 besting its estimate of $4,000-6,000 (Lot 82); while an autograph letter of R. Yoseph Shaul Nathanason fetched $3,600 against its estimate of $1,500-2,500 (Lot 98). 

 

Other manuscripts included a number of Pinkas communal record-books. The Pinkas belonging to the burial society of Petrova was hammered in at $3,600 (Lot 37) while London’s East End Anshei Chechanover Society Pinkas realized $3,400 (Lot 26). The record-book of New York City’s Sredniker Burial Society accomplished $1,900 against an initial estimate of $800-1,200 (Lot 23).

 

In the Americana section, a manuscript by Virginian Jacob Cohen, containing a prayer for the welfare of the United States’ government fetched $9,500 (Lot 145); while a circular from Philadelphia’s historic Mikveh Israel synagogue encouraging both Jew and Gentile to contribute to its rebuilding realized $9,000 (Lot 144). Finally, a manuscript map of Castroville, Texas, the brainchild of the 19th century Sephardic-American Henri Castro sold for twice its estimate, accomplishing $1,400 (Lot 162). 

 

A royal order from John IV of Portugal putting an end to the Inquisition’s authority over New Christians in Brazil in order to enable economic investment in the colony fetched $4,200 (Lot 181); while an order from his successor Alfonso VI, repealing this concession also accomplished $4,200 (Lot 182). Memoirs and notes of the attorney Dmitri Grigorovich Barsky, providing his account of Mendel Beilis’ infamous trial sold for $3,600 (Lot 1).

 

This sale also had a delightful selection of Fine Art. Two original gelatin silver prints by Roman Vishniac realized $1,500 and $3,600 respectively (Lots 268 and 269) while a Yochanan Simon oil on panel piece sold for $3,000 (Lot 257). 

 

For further information, or any other queries, please contact Zushye Kestenbaum at 212-366-1197 or [email protected].

Specialist:
Daniel E. Kestenbaum

Specialist

Judaica ;  Israeli & International Art

Phone(212) 366-1197

Email

Daniel E. Kestenbaum

Specialist

Judaica ;  Israeli & International Art

Auction 92

February 18, 2021 at 1:00pm

Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Arts

1
We are pleased to offer public viewing of our February 18th auction. However viewing is by appointment only, on weekdays from Wednesday, November 4th to Wednesday, November 11th, 11am-5pm. There is no admittance to the viewing without a pre-booked appointment.
Viewing is also available via Skype, Zoom, or Facetime. 
To book an appointment please email [email protected] or telephone 212-366-1197, and provide details of the lots you would like to examine. 
Please do not make an appointment if you are ill, have any cold or flu-like symptoms, or have had contact with anyone with similar symptoms in the previous 14 days.
This auction is available for bidding via Bidspirit, Live Auctioneers, phone bids, or absentee bids ONLY.

More Information
Product Title Auction 92
Auction Date Feb 17, 2021
Auction Time 1:00pm
Departments Judaica
Available for Sale No
Short Description


Post-Auction Report: Sale 92, February 18, 2021

Kestenbaum & Company was privileged to again offer an auction comprising of premier Judaica, Hebrew books and Fine Art. The highlight of the sale was an extensive collection of rabbinic autographed letters written by leading rabbis spanning the past two centuries. Among them, a manuscript by R. Akiva Eger fetched $19,000 against its initial estimate of $10,000-15,000 (Lot 61). A letter from R. Sholom Eliezer Halberstam, Rebbe of Ratzfert accomplished $30,000, more than four times its estimate of $5,000-7,000 (Lot 78). Similarly, a postcard from R. Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam of Tchechoyv brought in $7,000 besting its estimate of $4,000-6,000 (Lot 82); while an autograph letter of R. Yoseph Shaul Nathanason fetched $3,600 against its estimate of $1,500-2,500 (Lot 98). 

 

Other manuscripts included a number of Pinkas communal record-books. The Pinkas belonging to the burial society of Petrova was hammered in at $3,600 (Lot 37) while London’s East End Anshei Chechanover Society Pinkas realized $3,400 (Lot 26). The record-book of New York City’s Sredniker Burial Society accomplished $1,900 against an initial estimate of $800-1,200 (Lot 23).

 

In the Americana section, a manuscript by Virginian Jacob Cohen, containing a prayer for the welfare of the United States’ government fetched $9,500 (Lot 145); while a circular from Philadelphia’s historic Mikveh Israel synagogue encouraging both Jew and Gentile to contribute to its rebuilding realized $9,000 (Lot 144). Finally, a manuscript map of Castroville, Texas, the brainchild of the 19th century Sephardic-American Henri Castro sold for twice its estimate, accomplishing $1,400 (Lot 162). 

 

A royal order from John IV of Portugal putting an end to the Inquisition’s authority over New Christians in Brazil in order to enable economic investment in the colony fetched $4,200 (Lot 181); while an order from his successor Alfonso VI, repealing this concession also accomplished $4,200 (Lot 182). Memoirs and notes of the attorney Dmitri Grigorovich Barsky, providing his account of Mendel Beilis’ infamous trial sold for $3,600 (Lot 1).

 

This sale also had a delightful selection of Fine Art. Two original gelatin silver prints by Roman Vishniac realized $1,500 and $3,600 respectively (Lots 268 and 269) while a Yochanan Simon oil on panel piece sold for $3,000 (Lot 257). 

 

For further information, or any other queries, please contact Zushye Kestenbaum at 212-366-1197 or [email protected].

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