Auction No. 102
Holy books, Chassidut, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors' letters, Eretz Yisrael & Zionism, Americana, Judiaca & Prof. Albert Einstein
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10 original photographs of Eretz Israel scenery, photographed by the noted photographer Felix Bonfils in the 19th century.
Specifications: [10] photographs. Approximately 23x28 cm. Black and white. Nine are signed on the photograph. Views of the Jordan River, the Temple Mount, the interior of the Dome of the Rock, the northern section of the wall around the Old City of Jerusalem, Tower of David, Zion Gate, Pool of Shiloah, Casa Nova.
Background: Felix Bonfils 1831-1885 was a talented, professional French photographer who contributed much to the development of photography in the Middle East. After returning to France from his military service in Lebanon, he came back and settled in Lebanon with his family in 1867. He opened a photography studio and often travelled in Lebanon and Palestine, taking pictures of sites, scenery and people. His quality spectacular photographs of the Middle East, documenting architecture, geography, culture and religion, were published in special albums that were successfully sold in Europe.
Refer to: Carney E. S. Gavin and Nitza Rosovsky, HaTzalmim L'Beit Bonfils, Catedra 38, December 1985, p. 105-114
And refer to: N. Peretz, Orientalism b'Tzilum Hatzarfati; mi'Saltzman ad Bonfils, Catedra 38, 1985, p. 10-81. Page 97 features an unsigned picture in the lot, taken next to the Jordan River, with the note that the person sitting with the tropical hat is Adrian Bonfils, Felix' son.
Condition: Fine. Some parts of the photographs are slightly faded. Light tears in the cardboard.
Approximately 60 photographs of views, sites, events and more, from the years before the establishment of the state and the first years of the state. Israel, '20's - '50's.
Specifications: Album, with approximately 60 photographs of events and sites. Various sizes.
Unique Features: The events photographed include: Ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, President Chaim Weitzmann and the Chief of General Staff Yaakov Dori, ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Ben Gurion, President Weitzmann and Chief of General Staff Yigal Yadin. British military march in the streets of Jerusalem. Inauguration ceremony of King George Street [1924], the King David Hotel after the bombing [1946], Among the sites: Mount Scopus, the zoo, mosaics, the Temple Mount in the snow, Rachel's Tomb.
Condition: The photographs are in fine condition. The album is old.
![Collection of [58] postcards of Jewish people in traditional Oriental dress. Primarily at the start of the 20th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_102-public/51_1.jpg)
![Collection of [58] postcards of Jewish people in traditional Oriental dress. Primarily at the start of the 20th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_102-public/51_2.jpg)
![Collection of [58] postcards of Jewish people in traditional Oriental dress. Primarily at the start of the 20th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_102-public/51_1.jpg?itok=zWqvx1wW)
![Collection of [58] postcards of Jewish people in traditional Oriental dress. Primarily at the start of the 20th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_102-public/51_2.jpg?itok=_pANH7j3)
Collection of postcards with pictures and illustrations from the beginning of the 20th century.
Specifications: [58] postcards. Standard size, 9x14 cm. Mainly black and white. [10] were sent by mail and postmarked. [7] were printed without divisional lines marking the areas for the letter content and address - as postcards were printed prior to 1905.
Unique features: This postcard collection provides a glimpse into the wide variety of traditional dress worn by Oriental Jewry. Jews in traditional dress in Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Tunis, Bukhara and Palestine; in addition to various artisans, merchants, rabbis and of Jewish families in various countries.
Condition: Fine- very fine.
Picture of the great Rabbi Mordechai Rosenblatt who was the Av Beit Din of the congregation of Oshmiana, and is now in Slonim. Warsaw, 1906.
Specifications: 24x30 cm. Original print of the painting. Stuck onto bristol paper.
Background: Rabbi Mordechai Rosenblatt, known as Rabbi Mordechai of Oshmiana after the city of Oshmiana adjacent to Vilna. Became famous in his lifetime as a righteous man and a miracle worker, and many Lithuanian Jews sought him out to ask for his blessing. There were even notices in newspapers regarding the times for receiving the public in his house. As a result, his picture was also hung in Jews' houses during his lifetime. This was a unique phenomenon in Lithuania, where it was not common to throng to miracle workers. He wrote the well known 'Iggeret HaChalom,' a wondrous letter which he wrote to Rabbi Pinchas Michael Groissleit, in which he writes that it was revealed to him in a dream that he is a descendant of a person who slapped Mahari Ben Lev across the face after he lost in a court case [350 years ago], and that he must correct this and study his books. Later in the letter he writes that his wife's life is in danger as a result. Some of his Torah thoughts were printed by his students in the book Hadrat Mordechai. Extensive material is enclosed.
Condition: Fine. Folding marks.
*Picture of Hai Sabba Kadisha the elder rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, chief rabbi of the Ashkenazic congregation of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Monsohn printing press [1903?].
Specifications: [1] paper leaf, 28x37 cm. Lithographic printing.
Special Features: Rare. Does not appear in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, one of Monsohn's earliest works.
Background: It is known that Rabbi Shmuel Salant refused to have his picture taken, therefore this is a portrait painting of him. The picture has a very long inscription including details about the rabbi's life, including his exact date of birth. At the end, it is noted that in 1901 the Aderet agreed to immigrate to Jerusalem to assist Rabbi Shmuel Salant with his role. It is known that the Aderet passed away in 1905, during Rabbi Shmuel Salant's lifetime.
A similar picture appeared in the booklet Defus A. L. Monsohn 1892-1992 which was printed in Jerusalem in 2009. However, the writing under that picture is much shorter. There the picture is estimated to be from 1903 and it is written that in photographs the rabbi appears with his eyes closed, and Monsohn drew the eyes from his memory.
Condition: Moderate. Professionally restored tear in the upper right hand corner without damage to the painting. Stains.
* Picture of the true Gaon the famous righteous Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin. Lit. HaAchim Monsohn, Jerusalem.
Specifications: [1] leaf, 22x27 cm. Lithograph print.
Unique Features: We have not found any printed items in the bibliography with the words 'HaAchim Monsohn' as appears before us.
Condition: Very fine.
![Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photographed After His Death (!) [1866]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_102-public/54_1.jpg)
![Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photographed After His Death (!) [1866]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_102-public/54_2.jpg)
![Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photographed After His Death (!) [1866]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_102-public/54_1.jpg?itok=eFAqWKvj)
![Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photographed After His Death (!) [1866]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_102-public/54_2.jpg?itok=vnDYYBon)
Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photograph which is traditionally believed to have been taken after his death (!). [1866].
Specifications: 19x13 cm. Stuck onto an original decorative piece of cardboard. The stamp of the photographer who lived and worked in the city of Arad is on the back of the picture. Auerback Miksa.
Unique Features: Before us is the only picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. It is well known that throughout his life Rabbi Yehuda Assad refused to be photographed, for reasons he kept to himself. After his death, his students dressed him in Shabbat clothing, sat him up on his chair and photographed him. His grandson who was his namesake, Rabbi Yehuda Goldstein, writes in the booklet 'Toldot Mahari"a' (page 41), which he placed at the beginning of Divrei Mahari"a, which he published (Sabinov 1931): "There had never been a picture of my grandfather the gaon, the author, z"l, as he never allowed himself 'photography.' However, many of his students wanted his picture as a memory, such that some of his students reached a decision, after the passing of their rabbi, and dressed him in Shabbat clothing and sat him up on his chair and thus drew his holy image, which is found in the homes of some of our Jewish brethren. However, anyone with a part in this was greatly harmed, and in very little time after this, passed away and was punished for disturbing his holy body after his passing to carry it for such a purpose."
There was an extensive halachic polemic discussing whether this is permitted or not [material is enclosed].
Background: Rabbi Yehuda Assad - Mahari"a Assad, was rabbi of Szerdahely and one of the most prominent Hungarian rabbis. He was born in 1797 in the village of Aszód adjacent to Budapest. He studied in the yeshiva of Rabbi Mordechai Bennet, who soon appointed him to teach classes. When the Chatam Sofer met him he was very impressed by him, and even took action for him to be accepted as rabbi of Szerdahely. He established a yeshiva there which was attended by 150 young men. He was one of the most important rabbis and spiritual leaders of Hungarian Jewry, and was also known for his battle against Reform. He died in 1866, and was the author of Shu"t Yehuda Ya'aleh, Chiddushei Mahari"a and more.
Condition: Fine. Slight tear on the cardboard.