Kestenbaum & Company - Auction 100
Auction Summary
Kestenbaum & Company is honored to announce its 100th Auction, which will take place on Thursday, January 19th at 1pm EST. Having served a broad and diverse range of clients for three decades, the 100th Auction is an opportunity to continue offering only the highest standard of Rare Judaica and Fine Art. Below are some highlights of the celebratory event, although, as always, perusal of the full catalogue is recommended (see link below).
In Fine Jewish Art we are privileged to present a painting by Isidor Kaufmann: ‘Portrait of a Yeshiva Student Wearing a Black Beaver Hat’ (Lot 112, Est. $200,000-300,000). This offering comprises a perfect example of Kaufmann’s distinctive, inimitable style. TheArthur Szyk Haggadah, printed entirely on vellum (Lot 72, Est. $25,000-30,000) is perhaps the most sublime of all Passover Hagadahs, while the category is rounded out by a Suite of 18 Illustrations to Israel Zangwill’s ‘Der König der Schnorrer’ by Rahel Marcus-Szalit (Lot 113, Est. $14,000-18,000). These drawings were thought to be lost to posterity over the past century, only to have been discovered most recently.
Ritual Objects is a category with many noteworthy offerings. Significant among them is a rare and highly importantParcel-Gilt Silver Filigree Spice Container from 19 th century Germany / Galicia (Lot 138, Est. $50,000-100,000). A spice-tower of exquisite quality, it is a scarce fusion of competing regional styles. Comes complete with contemporary custom fitted case. The images of a remarkably decorated, heavy Silver Chanukah Lamp (Lot 140, Est. $15,000-20,000) originating in Poland, c. 1800, must be viewed in full. The same is true of the Large 19th Century Continental Silver Megillah Case (Lot 143, Est. $15,000-20,000) which depicts Queen Esther bravely approaching King Ahasuerus.
Among the many Hebrew Manuscripts contained in the catalogue, a series of Biblical Manuscripts from the Cairo Genizah (Lots 12-15) deserve special mention. The manuscripts, dating as far back as the 10th century, contain entire Torah portions and provide valuable insights to medieval Jewish scholarship. Distinctive to Kabbalistic works, a Manuscript of the Shulchan Aruch Ha’Arizal, Posen, c. 1650, may be the oldest extant record of this important text (Lot 19, Est. $15,000-20,000). Another unique sub-category contained in this auction are letters written by members of great rabbinic families, such as that of R. Samson Raphael Hirsch (Lots 16-17) and the renowned Schneersohn family of Chabad-Lubavitch (Lots 26-29). Highlighting the personal side of the lives of celebrated Jewish leaders, the letters are matchless in their ability to humanize larger-than-life figures.
One especially strong category is American-Judaica. An almost-complete 20 Volume Set of Isaac Leeser’s The Occident is a treasure trove of Jewish History, both American and foreign. The monthly was America’s first successful Jewish periodical, issued in Philadelphia between 1843-1869 (Lot 43, Est. $40,000-60,000). So too, Isaac Pinto’s Prayers for Shabbath, Rosh Hashanah and Kipur is the first complete Jewish prayer-book published in the New World (Lot 42, Est. $60,000-80,000). The highly scarce text was issued in New York, 1766. Relating to pioneers of Orthodox Jewish life in the New York area, a List of Deceased Members of the Chevra Kadisha of Ahavath Torah, Englewood, New Jersey (1912-1933) strikes a chord (Lot 36, Est. $5,000-7,000).
Throughout the pages of the catalogue, testaments of character abound. Notable among them are lots relating to20th Century Jewish Leaders. These include aLetter from Albert Einsten (Lot 10, Est. $15,000-20,000) on the necessity of moral courage, as well as the Official Birth Certificate of Theodor Herzl’s youngest daughter Marguerite Herzl (Lot 11, $3,000-5,000). Of exceptional interest is a complete collection of the c. 90 Research Patents of Chaim Weizmann (Lot 99, $10,000-15,000). Submitted in London over the course of 40 years (1905-1945), it is oft forgotten that Israel’s first president was a scientist at heart, whose innovations contributed significantly to the Allied victory in World War One. See the full catalogue description for a complete description of how Weizmann fused his technical acumen with Zionistic ambition.
In Land of Israel, we are privileged to present the First Telephone Directory Produced for the Land of Israel (Lot 87, Est. $3,000-5,000). Printed in Jerusalem, 1921, it is a symbol highlighting the achievements made by contemporary Israel’s high-tech prowess. Another item of tremendously significant importance is an Archive of Documents Pertaining to the Yemenite-Jewish Community of Kfar HaShiloach, Jerusalem (Lot 8, Est. $12,000-18,000). The archive contains much information on legal ownership of properties in the original neighborhood, as well as on efforts of the deportees to return or receive compensation. Intersecting Land of Israel with Photography (Lots 130-136) is Photographies de Terre Sainte (Jerusalem, late 19th century), with 48 Prints of Scenery Across the Holy Land by Felix Bonfils (Lot 132, Est. $3,000-4,000). Another important category of the auction is Holocaust materials (Lots 75-83), containing a diverse range of materials.
Finally, within Philately & Numismatics, a Set of Three Imperforate Full Sheets of 50 Stamps (250m, 500m and 1,000m) from Israel, 1948 comprise the Ultimate Israel Philatelic Rarity (Lot 102, Est. $100,000-150,000). Similarly, the First Stamps Issued by the Nascent State of Israel, five full sheets (Lot 103, Est. $25,000-30,000) are highly rare. So too is a Rare Full Set of British Mandate-Issued Coins from 1927-1946 (Lot 100, Est. $7,000-9,000).
Kestenbaum & Company is proud to continue its tradition of quality, service, and commitment. As we mark our 100th Auction, we look forward to engaging with our clients, sharing our mutual passion for Jewish Tradition, History and Culture.
Questions and comments about the sale, as well as general inquiries may be directed to Shaya at Jack@Kestenbaum.net.
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ЛОТ 8:
(JERUSALEM).
далее...
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Стартовая цена:
$
10 000
Эстимейт :
$12 000 - $18 000
Комиссия аукционного дома: 25%
НДС: 8.875%
Полностью на цену лота и комиссию
Пользователи из других стран могут быть освобождены от налоговых платежей согласно соответствующим налоговым нормам.
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(JERUSALEM).
Small Archive Pertaining to the Yemenite Community of Kfar HaShiloach.
c. 120 papers. Occasional tears, creases.
Jerusalem, 1935-67.
INCLUDES:
* List of properties and possessions belonging to 31 residents of Kfar Hashiloach with autographs: Aaron Maliah, Yahya Kumeimei, Yahya Mansour, Nissim Haibi, Rivka Mizrahi, Yahya Nahoum, Zahara Arami, Salam Kendil, Said Nagar, Yaish Maliah, Judah Yaish, Shalem Yitzhak Madmuni, Moshe Tham, Yaish Madmuni, Salac Salem Yaud, Zahara Hazi, Yahya Keha, Yosef Tabib, Yauda Mawshar, Meir Ashram, Suleiman Yahya Ashram, Sa’ada Garshi, ‘Synagogue’, Daud Awad, Yosef Said Madmuni, Solomon Isaac Maimuni, Aaron Azari, Yosef Gaharen, Yahya Radai, Shimon Maliah, Saliman Tabib, Shlomo Madmuni Husseini. 8 pages.
* List of villagers forced to abandon their property, along with additional villagers who left earlier due to governmental pressure and the security situation. Includes descriptions of property and evaluations. With stamps of Aaron Maliah. August, 1938.
* Official request for compensation for property the villagers were forced to leave behind, with valuations of property. Addressed to the District Governor of Jerusalem. In English and Hebrew with 22 villagers’ signatures on both copies, along with stamp of Mukhtar Aaron Maliah. April, 1939.
* Reply of Jerusalem District Governor W.R. McGeach (signed and stamped) rejecting demands for compensation. Hebrew and English, March 1939.
* Manuscript letter from Shlomo Akhalufi, as resident of the village. Regarding locating a missing promiscuous Jewish resident of Kfar HaShiloach, and the procurement of a Get for her. Addressed to Abraham Zarm. Undated.
* Communique from Joseph Said Madmoni and Zalah Ya’ud to the Va’ad HaLeumi (National Zionist Council). Complaining of insecurity and poor relations with Arab neighbors despite attempts to get along, as well as economic issues. Asking for political assistance. With stamp of Mukhtar Aaron Maliach. Undated.
* Memo from Va’ad HaLeumi to Va’ada HaYishuvit LeKfar Shiloach. Signed by Moshe Kehati (Nasi Adat HeTeimanim) and Sa’adia Kobashi (Director of Va’ad Adat HaTeimanim), stamp of Aaron Maliah. Detailing cause of lawsuit against Va’ad Adat HaSefardim, which, according to the Yemenites, misappropriated property in the abandoned neighborhood, wrongfully renting and selling portions. December, 1946.
* Response of District Governor W.R. McGeach, signed, to Mukhtar Aaron Maliach stating without elaboration that, ‘The Dung Gate cannot at present be opened’. January, 1941.
* Request for compensation for property harmed by local Arabs and to assume responsibility (via Arab Mukhtars) for protection of the properties moving forward. From Moshe Kehati (legal representative of the villagers) to Jerusalem’s District Governor. January, 1943.
* Rental contract for a home in Kfar Hashiloach, leased by the Va’ad Adath HaSephardim BeYerushalayim (Jerusalem’s Sephardic Council) to Ka’id Rasha Muhamed. February, 1946.
* Deed of internal sale within the Yemenite community, of a home in Kfar HaShiloach to Mukhtar Aaron Maliach. With signature of Aaron Maliah. August, 1948.
* Other documents include those issued by Yitzchak ben Zvi (signed), Teddy Kollak and Moshe Dayan pertain to seeking a satisfactory resolution to the forced depopulation of Kfar HaShiloach.
Kfar HaShiloah was a Yemenite Jewish village established in the late 19th century on the south-western slope of the Mount of Olives, in today’s City of David (Silwan) neighborhood of Jerusalem. At its peak, the community numbered 160 families. The neighboring Arab settlements eventually encompassed Kfar HaShiloach, and the villagers suffered greatly during the Arab Riots of 1921 and 1929. Moreover, due to its demographically challenging location, British Mandate authorities exerted immense pressure on the villagers to abandon their homes.
As a result of the Arab Revolt of 1936-39 the British forcibly depopulated the village. Despite assurances by the District Governor that residents would be able to return once deemed safe, the Yemenites were rebuffed in all their efforts to repopulate Kfar HaShiloach.
Upon realizing that such efforts were in vain, the villagers turned their efforts to receiving compensation for their abandoned property, which had since been pillaged and vandalized by their former neighbors.
In recent times, the Jewish neighborhood has been reestablished, largely on the basis of legal ownership of the properties forcibly abandoned decades earlier.
The present lot contains documents pertaining to the community of Kfar HaShiloach, including the repercussions of their expulsion, demands for compensation and subsequent efforts to resettle the area after it fell under Israel control.
