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Kestenbaum and Company: Rare Hebrew Books, from the Library of the late Dr. Michael D. Paul. Part II.

Auction Reports

Auction Name Rare Hebrew Books, from the Library of the late Dr. Michael D. Paul. Part II. Total Sales (USD) 603,968.75
Auction Date September 10, 2025 - September 10, 2025 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 441,900.00
Sale Number #113 High Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 658,400.00
Total Lots 199
Sold Lots 169.0 Low Estimate of All Lots (USD) 504,900.00
% of Lots Sold 84.92% High Estimate of All Lots (USD) 756,100.00
Unsold Lots 30 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 79.88%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
147

Machzor LePesach Minhag Aschkenaz [prayer-book for Passover]. Rite according to Aschkenazi custom.

c. 1280. USD 60,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD 75,000.00
14 AVICENNA.

(Abu Ali al-Hussein ibn Abdallah ibn Sina). HaKanon HaGadol - Canon Medicinae. Translated from Arabic into Hebrew by Nathan of Cento (HaMe'ati).

1491-92. USD 50,000.00 - 70,000.00 USD 62,500.00
19

(Former Prophets). Nevi'im Rishonim.

1494 USD 50,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD 50,000.00
148

Machzor. According to Italian (Roman) rite. With Selichoth and Piyutim (supplementary penitential prayers and poems) for the Ten Days of Repentance (Asereth Yemei Teshuvah).

c. 1400. USD 40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD 37,500.00
105 PERETZ TRABOT / YECHIEL (Attributed to).

Makrei Dardakei ["Primary Teacher."]

1488 USD 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD 30,000.00
125 SHLOMO IBN GABIROL.

Mivchar HaPeninim.

USD 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD 27,500.00
102 MOSHE OF COUCY.

Sepher Mitzvoth Gadol (SeMa'G) ["The Great Book of Commandments": Enumeration of the 613 precepts].

1488 USD 25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD 25,000.00
100 MOSHE BEN NACHMAN (Ramba'n / Nachmanides).

Dina DeGarmei.

USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 23,750.00
130

Masecheth Nazir. With commentaries including Rashi, Tosaphoth and the Ramba'm on the Mishnah.

1522 USD 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 17,500.00
132

Masechta Me'ilah, Kinim, Midoth, Tamid, etc. With commentaries by Rashi, Tosafoth.

1523 USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 17,500.00
128

Masechta Moed Katan.

1521 USD 12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD 16,250.00
129

Masechta Bechoroth. With commentaries including Rashi, Tosaphoth and Rabbeinu Asher (Ro'sh).

1522 USD 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 13,750.00
83

Group of nine prayer-books in Fourteen volumes, all Aschkenazic rite.

USD 500.00 - 800.00 USD 9,375.00
58 HOROWITZ, YESHAYA. (SheLa'H HaKadosh).

Shnei Luchoth HaBerith. Issued with: Vavei HaAmudim by Author's son Shabthai Sheftel Horowitz.

1698 USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 8,750.00
10 ARAMA, YITZCHAK.

Akeidath Yitzchak [philosophical and allegorical sermons to the Chumash and Five Megilloth].

1522 USD 10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD 8,125.00
20

Chamisha Chumshei Torah [-end]

1528 & 1533. USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 6,875.00
138

Group of Fourteen volumes.

USD 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD 6,000.00
69 KALATZ, YEHUDAH.

(Zeh HaSepher Hamepho'ar...) Sepher HaMussar [ethics].

1536-37. USD 1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD 5,250.00
8 ALTSCHULER, NAFTALI HERTZ.

Nevi'im & Kethuvim. Biblical text with commentary Ayalah Sheluchah. Along with Yiddish explanatory text.

USD 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 5,000.00
18

(Ecclesiastes). Sepher Koheleth.

1487 USD 5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD 5,000.00
120 SHLOMO IBN ADRET (RaShB'A).

Chidushei Berachoth [novellae to Talmud Tractate].

1523 USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 4,500.00
197 ROBERTS, DAVID.

The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia. After Lithographs by Louis Haghe from drawings made on the spot by David Roberts, R.A. with historical descriptions by the Reverend George Croly, L.L.D.

1855-56. USD 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD 4,250.00
17 BARUCH BEN YITZCHAK OF WORMS.

Sepher HaTerumah.

1523 USD 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD 4,000.00
21

Magna Biblia Rabbinica. With Targum and the major classical rabbinic commentaries. Prepared by J. Buxtorf, together with Abraham Braunschweig. With a preface by Jacob ben Hayyim ben Isaac and Moses ben Yom-Tov.

1618-1619. USD 5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD 4,000.00
95

* Mishnayoth. Six volumes. Mantua, 1777.

USD 400.00 - 800.00 USD 4,000.00
  • <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY! <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911. <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ]. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY!
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ].
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
  • <center><b>Sotheby’s<br>Book Week<br>December 9-17, 2025</b></center> <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> J.K. Rowling. <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,</i> 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Hooke, Robert. <i>Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses.</i> London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Chappuzeau, Samuel. <i>The history of jewels,</i> first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Sowerby, James. <i>Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions,</i> London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
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  • <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, <i>Americae pars Borealis,</i> double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, <i>Map of the United States,</i> London and Liverpool, 1827. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Typus Orbis Terrarum,</i> hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, <i>Chart of the World,</i> oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800). <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, <i>A General Atlas,</i> 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 240: Anthony Finley, <i>A New American Atlas,</i> 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 263: John Bachmann, <i>Panorama of the Seat of War,</i> portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, <i>Cosmographei,</i> Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Epitome Theatri Orteliani,</i> Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, <i>Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae,</i> Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, <i>Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt,</i> 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 341: John James Audubon, <i>Carolina Parrot, Plate 26,</i> London, 1827.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, Americae pars Borealis, double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, Map of the United States, London and Liverpool, 1827.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, Typus Orbis Terrarum, hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, Chart of the World, oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800).
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, A General Atlas, 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 240: Anthony Finley, A New American Atlas, 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 263: John Bachmann, Panorama of the Seat of War, portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, Cosmographei, Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, Epitome Theatri Orteliani, Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae, Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt, 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 341: John James Audubon, Carolina Parrot, Plate 26, London, 1827.