WHAT: The earliest known illustrated American ketubbah (Jewish marriage contract), dated 1751, will sell later this month at Sotheby’s New York.
Pre-sale estimate is $80,000 to 100,000, though it may bring more — or less.
MORE: The black and white engraving is a matrix intended for use in America. Produced for the marriage of Shalvah, daughter of Solomon, and Haym, son of Moses ha-Levi, for their marriage on May 15, 1751, in New York, this ketubbah differs from European and Eastern versions that were usually hand-colored.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Artifacts and history related to Jewish life are called Judaica. Only a handful of premier auction houses hold regular specialty sales of the genre where historic early manuscripts, Torah shields and decorations, documents and early artifacts sell worldwide.
HOT TIP: Design borders on the sides copy themes in European ketubbot. It is the small engravings at each side that make it unique to the New World.
BOTTOM LINE: Participants in this contract were significant as their families were important members of the New York Jewish community and its only temple. The bride was the sister of celebrated colonial silversmith Myer Myers; the groom later became a successful merchant, a patriot in the American Revolution and an early philanthropist.
CALENDARS! Celebrate the coming year with Workman 2016 wall calendars illustrating collecting favorites. Lovers of the country/rustic look favor “Out on the Porch” ($13.99) with 12 months of scenic outdoor porches worldwide. Porcelain and teapot collectors go for “The Collectible Teapot & Tea” ($13.99) featuring photos of tables set for tea with pots from Retro to 19th-century transfer ware.
Cynthia Hart’s “Victoriana” ($14.99) is an over-the-top blowout of colored Victorian die cuts, hearts and flowers. Not for minimalists. www.workman.com
