Publicatie en provisioneel Reglement, van Zyne Hoogheid, den Heere Prince von Orange en Nassau - Publicaçaó e provizional reglamento [“Edict of Prince William of Orange and Nassau ending internal dispute within Portuguese Jewish community of Curaçao”]

AUCTION 64 | Thursday, March 19th, 2015 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Ceremonial Objects, Maps and Graphic Art

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Lot 5
(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Publicatie en provisioneel Reglement, van Zyne Hoogheid, den Heere Prince von Orange en Nassau - Publicaçaó e provizional reglamento [“Edict of Prince William of Orange and Nassau ending internal dispute within Portuguese Jewish community of Curaçao”]

Text in Dutch and Portuguese and printed in parallel columns. Royal arms of William IV on title. Uncut and Unopened. pp. 11, (1 blank). Ex-library. Later wrappers. Sm. 4to.

The Hague: Jacob Scheltus 1750

Est: $4,000 - $6,000
PRICE REALIZED $7,500
In 1651 a synagogue was established on the island of Curaçao, Dutch West Indies and was known as “Mikve Israel” (still extant). Over later decades, travel difficulties caused by an expanding population led to pressure for a new synagogue, and in response to repeated requests, the religious council in Amsterdam permitted the establishment of a second synagogue, Neve Shalom (Dwelling of Peace), under the jurisdiction of Mikve Israel. The new sanctuary was consecrated in 1746, and a supporting school was founded soon afterward. In time, the leadership of Neve Shalom began chafing under the rule of the old guard and relations gradually worsened. Dissension grew into strife, even to fistfights. The Jewish population was split between the two sides and the conflict began disrupting the economic life of the island. Eventually the severity of matters resulted in arbitration brought before the States General of Holland, who appointed a commission to resolve the matter. In 1750 this edict was signed enacting nine articles that established peace and congregational autonomy. See I.S. and S.A. Emmanuel, History of the Jews of the Netherlands Antilles, Vol. I, pp. 181-212; M.H. Gans, Memorbook, p. 268; John Carter Brown Library, Jews and the Americas (online exhibition) no. 52. See also Kestenbaum Auction 37, Lot 210, for a manuscript letter by Manuel Lopes Suasso of the Portuguese Jewish Congregation of Amsterdam to the Governors of Mikveh Israel of Curaçao, dated May 12, 1750, impressing upon the Curaçaoans the importance of abiding by the settlement issued by Prince William of Orange.