Large Collection of Letters and Printed Matter - Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Wertheimer and the Sassoon Family

Large collection of letter, drafts, printed pamphlets and printed sheets sent in the midst of printing - rich correspondence between R. Shlomo Aharon Wertheimer of Jerusalem (researcher and author, known for being one of the first to publicize the Cairo geniza and the Yemenite manuscripts) and the members of the Sassoon family and the Ezra family in London. Includes colorful lithographs with New Year greetings. Jerusalem, 1924-1935.
The content of the correspondence is particularly interesting: Discussions and studies of ancient manuscripts, R. Wertheimer's involvement in printing books, etc. The collection is composed of more than 24 autograph letters signed by R. "Shlomo Aharon Wertheimer" (most of the letters are in Rashi script, two are in English). · 9 letters and drafts by Ms. Farha Sassoon and her son David Sassoon sent to R. Wertheimer (some signed). · Typewritten letter (5 pages) with a copy of the ruling of the "Great Beit Din in Jerusalem of the Chassidic Community", by R. Avraham Zvi Schorr, R. Mordechai Rabinowitz and "David son of R. G." and a copy of a letter by R. Shmuel Aharon Wertheimer containing the history of the institutes of the kupot (funds) of the various communities in Jerusalem: Sephardim, Ashkenazim and Chassidim.
· Printed sheets sent in the midst of the printing process by R. Wertheimer, sections of the books: Or HaTargum (Bereshit-Mishpatim), She'elat Shlomo responsa, Part 1 (Jerusalem 1932) and Part 2 (Jerusalem, 1934).
· Booklets and parts of books authored by R. Wertheimer: Batei Midrashot, Part 2, Jerusalem 1894. · Ginzei Yerushalayim, first booklet, Jerusalem, 1896. · Ginzei Yerushalayim Part 2, Jerusalem 1901. · Ginzei Yerushalayim, Part 3, Jerusalem 1902. (Two copies). · Shir Zion, Bardejov (Slovakia) 1826. · Midrash Chaser V'Yeter Shebatanach, Jerusalem, 1930 (two copies, one with hundreds of marginalia and additions in Ashkenazi writing).
· The collection also contains a notice of a gathering in Jerusalem, for a eulogy in tribute of R. Wertheimer (Tamuz, 1935). · HaMa'alot LiShlomo in his memory, by Pinchas Grayevsky. Jerusalem, 1935. · Printed portraits of R. Wertheimer. · Booklet (stencil) about the Karaite population and the Jews in India, by his son R. Moshe Wertheimer (Jerusalem, 1964).
R. Shlomo Aharon (Solomon Aaron) Wertheimer (1866-1935) was born in Pezinok (Bösing), Hungary. Orphaned at the age of nine, he ascended to Jerusalem and there studied Torah from Ashkenazi and Sephardi sages, his genius amazing the Torah scholars. He served as head of yeshiva, preacher, Dayan and posek in Jerusalem. A prolific author, he published and authored dozens of books. He was the first who discovered and published in print the manuscripts of the "Cairo Geniza" and Yemenite manuscripts featured in his books: Ginzei Yerushalayim, Batei Midrashot, Otzar Midrashim, etc. This archive of letters, written in his senior years (five were written in 1935) reflect his heroic efforts to continue printing and writing books in spite of his advanced age and frailty.
Approximately 60 items, including about 30 letters. Size and condition vary. Contains 3 colorful lithograph leaves (two of them have cut-out pieces).
Provenance: Sassoon family collection.