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October 22, 2004/Cheshvan 7 5765, Vol. 57, No. 8
Hebraica treasures
DANIELLA PELED
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 Sotheby's estimates this folio of an illuminated manuscript on parchment from Italy containing a collection of poems and prayers, circa 1460, will fetch $150-$200,000. Photo courtesy of Sotheby's |
Hand-lettered by master craftsmen and often boasting exquisite illuminations, prayer books were then only produced for the very rich. The precious few that survive are expensive to purchase.
But for those who can afford it, some rare and unusual Hebraica treasures will be up for grabs in New York Oct. 27-28 when more than 450 items from Britain's Montefiore Endowment will be sold.
Auctioneers at Sotheby's expect the collection, spanning eight centuries and diverse parts of the Diaspora, to fetch up to $11 million.
A 15th-century Hebrew Bible from Spain could fetch up to $350,000, and an illuminated Italian manuscript from around 1460, containing prayers and poems on lifecycle events such as marriage, circumcision and death, is expected to go for up to $200,000.
Other treasures include Sefer Ha'assufot, a 14th-century work by the scholar Elijah ben Isaac of Carcassone, full of unpublished responsa and legal documents, that is estimated at between $120,000 and $150,000.
It's a collection that Camilla Previte, head of Judaica at Sotheby's in London, describes as "fantastic" both in quality and scope. "It gives an example of every area a collector could possibly want," she says.
The assortment contains works from areas as far apart as Germany, Greece, North Africa and Yemen, and along with biblical and Talmudic works encompasses subjects as varied as philosophy, medicine and music.
The collection comes from the library of the Judith Lady Montefiore College, established in 1869 by the Anglo-Jewish banker and philanthropist Moses Montefiore.
Founded in memory of his late wife Judith, the institution was intended to promote the study of both Torah and Hebrew literature.
When Montefiore died, the college passed into the trusteeship of London's Spanish and Portuguese Congregation, and Moses Gaster became principal.
An enthusiastic collector, the Romanian-born scholar acquired most of the works included in the forthcoming sale during his tenure between 1890-96.
In 1899, the majority of the library was transferred to Jews College in London, where it stayed for the 20th century.
Proceeds from the auction will go toward Jewish education and scholarships in the United Kingdom, the purpose for which the Endowment Trust was formed. The organization will, however, retain the core of the collection, made up of books personally acquired by Montefiore himself.