(BEN-YEHUDAH)

AUCTION 44 | Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 1:00

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

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Lot 53

(BEN-YEHUDAH)

Ben-Yehudah, Chemdah. Nos’ei ha-Degel [“The Standard Bearer”: biography of the authoress’s step-son, Itamar Ben-Av”i]. (Jerusalem, 1944). Hebrew. pp.(4), 327, (3), 37. * Bound with: Ben-Avi, Itamar. Avi [biography of the author’s father, Eliezer Ben-Yehudah]. (Jerusalem, 1927). Hebrew text in Latin characters. pp.16,4,106 Cloth with dust jacket (chipped). Sm 4to

Est: $500 - $700

Two important and complimenting biographies. This, a significant association copy. Eliezer Ben-Yehudah (1858-1922) was the founder of Modern Hebrew. His son Itamar Ben-Avi (1882-1943) was the first child whose mother tongue was Modern Hebrew. In maturity, Itamar adopted the surname Ben-Av”i, “Son of Eliezer Ben-Yehudah” in acronymic form. Ben-Avi very much resembled his father in terms of his often radical and innovative approach to issues. Thus, he advocated the radical notion that Modern Hebrew be written in Latin, rather than Hebrew characters. See EJ, IV cols.469-70; 564-9 Chemdah Ben-Yehudah (1873-1951) was Eliezer’s second wife, sister of his deceased first wife Deborah. Chemdah greatly aided her husband in his literary work, both during his lifetime and after his demise