Ten volumes (of twelve, lacking Tractates Shabbath Eiruvin and Yevamoth, Kethuvoth and Kidushin)

AUCTION 31 | Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Hebrew and Other Printed Books

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Lot 278
(TALMUD, BABYLONIAN)

Ten volumes (of twelve, lacking Tractates Shabbath Eiruvin and Yevamoth, Kethuvoth and Kidushin)

The Prof. Abraham J. Karp Copy Some staining and slight repair. Lengthy owner’s inscription in first volume signed Chaim Ettingen. Contemporary elegantly tooled calf over thick wooden boards. Metal clasps, hinges and studs (most in place). Folio Vinograd Sulzbach 300 et al; R.N.N. Rabinowitz, Mamar Al Hadfasat h HaTalmud pp. 122-24)

Sulzbach: Meshulam Zalman and Sons 1766 - 70

Est: $3,000 - $4,000
PRICE REALIZED $1,800
The publication of the Sulzbach Talmud engendered severe contention between the Proops printing family of Amsterdam and the Sulzbach printers. This pertained to the rights of publication of the Talmud, with each side claiming competition by the other transgressed copyright decisions issued by various community Rabbis. These infringements would impact upon their commercial investment. Consequently, once the Sulzbach edition began to appear, the Polish Council of Four Lands placed it under a cherem at the urging of the Proops family. However, Meshulam Zalman of Sulzbach appeared before the court of R. David Strauss of Fuerth and requested an adjudication. Proops failed to honor a summons and so the Beth Din permitted Meshulam Zalman to continue the publication of his edition which provide less-moneyed Jews an opportunity to purchase Talmud volumes, whereas the more costly Amsterdam Talmud could be afforded only by the more wealthy. See Rabbinowicz, Ma’amar al Hadpasath ha-Talmud (1952) pp. 119-121