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Judaica and Hasidic Books and Manuscripts

Lot 83:

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Historic 1917 Lithuanian New Year Autograph Letter – Rabbi Eliezer Naftali Hertz Soloveitchik of Dobeiki (Kovno Governorate)

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Start price: £150

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Description

An exceptionally rare and beautifully preserved primary rabbinic artifact from the final days of the First World War, carrying the prestigious Soloveitchik name.

  • Overview: A fully handwritten and signed seasonal blessing letter (L’Shanah Tovah), composed in a dense, masterfully ornate rabbinic script. It is explicitly dated on the eve of the New Year: 21 Elul 5677 (כ"א אלול תרע"ז / September 1917).
  • The Author: Written by Rabbi Eliezer Naftali Hertz Soloveitchik (הגאון רבי אליעזר נפתלי הרץ סולובייצ’יק זצ"ל), the highly respected Av Beit Din (Chief Rabbi) of Dobeiki (דובייק / Dobeik, Kovno Governorate, modern-day Lithuania). He served with great devotion as the regional rabbinic pillar for over five years, until his son-in-law, the scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Soloveitchik (whose stamp appears on the sheet), succeeded him in the post.
  • The Content: Writing on the cusp of the high holidays, Rabbi Soloveitchik offers deep, poetic traditional blessings for a sweet new year, spiritual growth, and safety ("לשנה טובה תכתבו ותחתמו"). Following strict professional standards, the extensive text is offered untranscribed, serving as an exceptional genealogical or historical source.
  • Communal Seal: The page is deeply struck with the official blue-ink rabbinic signet stamp of his successor and son-in-law, which explicitly reads: "אליעזר נפתלי הערץ חופ"ק דאבייק פ’ יוסף סאלאווייציק" (Eliezer Naftali Hertz [Rabbinate] of Dobeiki, [by] Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik).
  • Collector’s Highlight: Original handwritten documents from the pre-war Lithuanian rabbinate—particularly from the smaller, distinct district seats of the Kovno region—are highly scarce due to the systematic physical destruction of communal records during the world wars.
  • Market Provenance: a matching letter from Rabbi Soloveitchik’s rare correspondence historically commanded a benchmark hammer price of $160 at auction in 2019.

Condition report:

Status: Very Good Antique Condition.


Details: The single ledger sheet is structurally complete, showing sharp margins and its original horizontal mailing creases. The paper displays a clean, soft uniform natural light cream patina. The extensive, highly stylized handwritten text block, the complete circular rabbinic signature, and the sharp blue ink stamp are perfectly preserved, rich in tone, and 100% distinct.