This year’s sale of Important Judaica features an outstanding selection of rare medieval Hebrew manuscripts and printed books. Highlights include a magnificently Illuminated Medieval Hebrew Bible from Spain (3,500,0000–5,000,000 USD), a newly discovered 13th-century micrographic Hebrew Bible from France (400,000–600,000 USD) and a previously unknown copy of the first edition of the German-Rite Daily Prayer Book accompanied by a unicum Haggadah, printed in Venice, 1519–20 (250,000–350,000 USD). In addition, this sale will include splendid textiles and a fine selection of ritual silver and metalwork, most notably a group of rare 18th-century silver book bindings, including examples from Rome, Venice, Hamburg and Altona, from the estate of Jack Lunzer, Custodian of the Valmadonna Trust Library. The paintings section is distinguished by a magnificent oil of Moses on Mount Sinai by Jean-Léon Gérôme (100,000–150,000 USD) and three works by Arthur Szyk, currently the subject of an important exhibition at the New York Historical Society.
This magnificent illuminated Hebrew Bible, which dates from the first half of the 14th century, is one of only six surviving manuscripts of its kind in private hands. A rarity in every respect, this Bible will be offered in New York on 20 December in the Important Judaica auction.