The Haggadah. Executed by Arthur Szyk. Edited by Cecil Roth.

Auction 91 | Thursday, November 12th, 2020 at 1:00pm

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Arts Featuring an Extensive Collection of Rabbinic Autograph Letters.

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Lot 159

(HAGADAH).

The Haggadah. Executed by Arthur Szyk. Edited by Cecil Roth.

<<One of 125 Numbered Copies issued for the United States of America. Printed Entirely on Vellum.>> Richly Illustrated in Color by Szyk.Full- and half-page color half-tone reproductions of compositions by Szyk, including numerous decorative initials, text ornaments and many small vignettes. Pictorial doublures on silk.Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe: Royal blue morocco, gilt- tooled pictorial inlay. Housed in original matching solander-case, velvet interior.Text in Hebrew and English printed in black and sepia. Signed by the artist and editor.Opening blank page inscribed and signed by Arthur Szyk, New Canaan, 1947. Previous owner’s inscription on opening blank. Box slightly scuffed, otherwise in bright condition. Folio. Yudlov 3861; Yaari 2285.

London: Beaconsfield Press 1939

Est: $15,000 - $20,000

PRICE REALIZED $18,000

<<The most sublime of all Passover Hagadahs.>> Dedicated to King George VI of England, Szyk’s great illuminated masterpiece is a stunning work of the Book-Arts, conceived with extraordinarily high production values. “The Times Literary Supplement recognized Szyk’s masterpiece as one of the most beautiful works ever produced by human hands. When one considers the brilliant multi-layers not only of illumination and color, but of themes and sub-themes, Szyk’s Haggadah stands among Hebrew illuminated manuscripts in a moment in time, for all time, in a class by itself.” I. Ungar, Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk (1998) p.15. See also J.P. Ansell, Arthur Szyk: Artist, Jew, Pole (2004) pp. 96-100.