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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LOT 22:
WASSERMAN, ELCHONON BUNEM (Rosh Yeshiva ...
more...
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Start price:
$
4,800
Estimated price :
$5,000 - $7,000
Buyer's Premium: 25%
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WASSERMAN, ELCHONON BUNEM (Rosh Yeshiva Baranowitch and pillar of Agudath Israel, 1875-1941). Autograph Letter Signed written in Hebrew to Rabbi Yosef Yechiel Gurevitch of Melbourne.
Concerning the potential escape of Yeshivah students from Lithuania to Australia during World War Two.
One page with integral blank. Two punch-hole punches. 8vo.
Kelme, Lithuania, 1940, Erev Chag HaSukoth.
A MOST IMPORTANT LETTER.
The Lithuanian Yeshivah world watched helplessly as the Nazi’s invaded Poland, and took in countless refugees from the affected areas. However, as the Soviets turned their sights to Lithuania in the summer of 1940, students with foreign passports began to consider their pathways out of the war-torn continent. A group of English, American and Canadian students, hailing from Yeshivoth including MIR, KAMINETZ, GRODNO AND KLETZK, gathered in Kelme to assess their options. Liaising with the British consulate in Kaunas (Kovno), they were told their only option was to escape to Australia, crossing Russia via the Trans-Siberian railway and sailing to Brisbane via Vladivostok. (Traveling directly to England, Canada or America was impossible, as it would entail crossing submarine-infested waters).
Uncertain about the plan, and unsure if the Soviet occupation necessitated such a drastic escape-route, the group conferred with R. Elchonon Wasserman, who was spending the Yomim Noraim (High Holy Days) in Kelme. The Rav deliberated back and forth, concerned that the boys would be in danger if the Japanese entered the war. “ONE THING IS MOST IMPORTANT, ” R. ELCHONON DECLARED, “NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID THE CHEVLEI MOSHIACH (BIRTH-PANGS OF THE MESSIAH) UNLESS YOU DEDICATE YOURSELVES TO TORAH.”
Presciently, the fear of Chevlei Moshiach was front and center in R. Elchonon’s mind at the time, as he again references them in his letter to R. Gurewitch, encouraging him to materially support the refugees, “as Torah and acts of kindness can save one from the birth-pangs of Messiah.” In fact, already before the war, R. Elchonon predicted that Nazism would bode poorly for European Jewry, as witnessed in his Ma’amar Ikvatha DeMeshicha.
The students eventually decided to leave, a fateful decision that almost certainly saved their lives. This was especially significant as the small group of only 17 Jewish men, women and children, included future leaders of the Torah world on new shores.
Included in the group were:
R. NOSSON WACHTFOGEL (1910-98), future Mashigiach of Lakewood. Escaped with his fiancé Chava. The two were wed in a civil marriage so the Rebbetzin could leave Europe despite not having foreign citizenship, and married Halachically upon reaching safety.
R. CHAIM GUTNICK (1921-2003), future rabbi of Melbourne’s Elwood Synagogue from 1958-2003, founder and president of Rabbinical Council of Victoria. This was the journey through which he reached Australia and changed the faced of Jewish life there.
REBBETZIN BLUMA AND HENNY DESSLER, wife and daughter of R. Eliyahu Dessler, Mashgiach of Gateshead and Ponevizh. The family would be reunited only after the war ended.
R. CHAIM DOV BER SILVER (1912-96) later to establish the Carlton Talmud Torah in Melbourne and serve on Israel’s Va’ad HaYeshivoth.
R. SHLOMO DAVIS (1915-2017), future Maggid Shiur at Telz, Cleveland.
Before they departed, and in the present letter, R. ELCHONON STRESSED THE CENTRALITY OF TORAH LEARNING - AND MATERIAL SUPPORT OF SUCH LEARNING - TO THE CONTINUED SURVIVAL OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
R. ELCHANAN WASSERMAN was one of the most distinguished leaders of Eastern European Orthodoxy. Seen as the spiritual successor to the Chofetz Chaim, he served as the Rosh Yeshivah of Baranovitch for 20 years. He was abroad on a fundraising mission when Germany invaded Poland, yet returned to Europe to be with his students. He was murdered by Lithuanian Nazi collaborators in the Seventh Fort of Kaunas Fortress in the summer of 1941 (12th Tamuz).
R. Yoseph Lipman Gurewicz (1885-1956) was born in Vilna and a devoted student there of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzenski. In 1930 he visited Australia on behalf of the Lithuanian Va’ad HaYeshivos and made such a positive impression upon Melbourne Jewry he was prevailed to take up the pulpit of the Carlton United Hebrew Congregation. In this position, and due to the dynamic community leader that he was, Gurewicz became a central figure in the intense struggle to obtain sanctuary in Australia for Jews desperate to leave Nazi-Europe.
