Bidspirit auction | Jud Süss – Collection of

Jud Süss – Collection of Anti-Semitic Publications – Germany, 1738 – Woodcuts - Collection of anti-Semitic publications relating to the life and figure of Joseph Süss (Ziskind) Oppenheimer, banker and financial adviser to Duke Charles Alexander of Württemberg, known disparagingly as Süss the Jew, and executed on false charges: 1. Volume comprising three works: • Kurtze und deutliche Lebens-Beschreibung des nunmehro am Galgen erblaßten Landbetrügerischen Joseph Süß Openheimers… [by Johann Zacharias Gleichman], 1738. Short biography of Joseph Oppenheimer, ”Süss the Jew”. The title page features a woodcut brimming with anti-Semitic imagery, depicting chief stations in Oppenheimer's life. False imprint on title page: ”Cana in Galiläa” (Cana in Galilee; perhaps published by Monath, Nuremberg). • Frolockender Glücks-Wunsch und freudiges Jubel-Geschrey bey dem wohl-verwahrten Auszuge des fameusen Juden und Ertz-Land-Betrügers Süß Oppenheimers, von Stuttgard nach Hohen-Neiffen, und von daher zum Galgen und denen Teuffeln... Author, printer and location not indicated [1738]. Three-page poem celebrating the fall of Süss the Jew; the title page features a woodcut depicting a famous scene identified with the occasion: the corpse of Süss the Jew after his execution, displayed in a cage. • Des ausser-ordentlichen jüdischen Herolds aus dem unter-irrdischen Reiche des grossen Juden-Beherrschers Aschmodai Hebelfurcks... Author not indicated. Frankfurt: Philipp Jacob Rudolph, 1738 (printing details on last page). Five parts, with divisional title pages (rare, only first part documented by Freimann). The story of the rise and fall of Süss the Jew. Woodcuts on title pages, including portrait of Süss the Jew. False imprint on title page: ”Gedruckt am Purims- oder Hammansfest 1738. Mit Benehmhaltung des grossen Sanhedrins oder Jüdischen Ober-Gerichts zu Jerusalem” [Printed on Purim or Haman festival 1738. In the name of the Great Sanhedrin, or the Jewish high court in Jerusalem]. Three works in one volume. [4], [4], 36 pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains. Creases and minute tears. Close trimming, bordering text. Binding worn and rubbed. Tears to spine. Spine partially repaired with paper. 2. Additional work in a separate volume: Gespräch zweyer unter dem Stuttgardter Galgen zusammen gekommener Würtembergischen Bauren... von des famosen Jud Süssen Leben und Ende... Author, printer and location not indicated, 1738. The volume begins with an imagined dialogue between peasants of Württemberg standing under the iron cage that displayed the remains of Süss the Jew. Over the course of their discussion, the story of the rise and fall of Süss, ending with his violent end, comes to light. The text appears in both dialectal and standard German, in facing columns. The rest of the volume contains a number of poems, including a eulogy for Süss the Jew spoken by the ravens standing on his cage, Süss's last words, and a full-page woodcut depicting Süss in his cage. [2], 18, [1] pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Professionally restored leaves. Close trimming, bordering text (minutely affecting text on p. 16). Wear and rubbing to binding. See: • Aaron Freimann, Bibliographie der Flugschriften über Joseph Süss Oppenheimer, in: Freimann and Brody, Zeitschrift für Hebraeische Bibliography, IX. Frankfurt: J. Kauffmann, 1905, pp. 80-81. • Theodor Harburger, Die Judaica-Sammlung S. Kirschstein, Berlin Kultgeräte für Haus und Synagoge, Manuskripte, Gemälde, Miniaturen, Graphik, Urkunden, Bücher; 12. bis 14. Juli 1932. Munich: Helbing, 1932, p. 37, no. 674. Joseph Süss Oppenheimer (1698-1738), a court Jew known as ”Jew Süss”, who served as banker and financial advisor to Duke Charles Alexander of Württemberg. After the Duke's sudden death, Oppenheimer was tried for treason, abuse of authority for personal gain, reckless personal use of state funds and ties with Christian women. Oppenheimer was hanged, and his corpse was left hanging in a locked cage for six years. This cage appears in many of the prints.