MENDELSSOHN, MOSES.

AUCTION 27 | Tuesday, February 08th, 2005 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Autographed Letters, Manuscripts, Ceremonial & Graphic Art

Back to Catalogue Download Catalogue

<Previous Lot

/429

Next Lot>

Lot 315

MENDELSSOHN, MOSES.

(Celebrated Philosopher of the German Enlightenment. 1729-1786). Autograph Letter Signed "Hakatan Moshe Dessau," in Hebrew and Judaeo-German, to the communal leader and businessman R. Elchanan, concerning Mendelssohn’s future son-in-law Mendel Mayer, the son of “my very special...beloved friend, R. Nathan Katz, Court Agent of Strelitz.” Single leaf. Slight tear in margin of upper right corner not affectng text. 4to

Berlin: 1784

Est: $5,000 - $7,000

PRICE REALIZED $6,500

Contains first impressions of the characteristics and talents of Moses Mendelssohn’s future son-in-law. His daughter, Reikel (Recha), was seventeen when she married Mayer in 1785.“They are both good children.” Although Mendelssohn questions Mendel Mayer’s ability to undertake and administer a major business ,”he is not without talents outside business...” Mendelssohn’s autographed letters seldom appear at auction. It is particularly uncommon to find an example of his writings in Hebrew. For another letter to the same correspondent, see Kestenbaum & Company, Sale XV, Lot 483