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Obj. ID: 39598
Jewish printed books
  GFC Wilhelm Hass Paper Esther Scroll with Illustrations, Basel, 1806

© Gross Family Collection (GFC), Photographer: Unknown, -

The paper scroll was issued in the Basel printing house of Wilhelm Haas. It opens with a panel consisting of two frames including figurative scenes from the Book of Esther narrative between which three initial benedictions are placed. The illustrations are printed as woodcuts and they are believed to be based on the Biblical scenes designed by a Swiss engraver Mattheus Merian The Elder (1593–1650). The scroll and the text panels are framed by a band embellished with a design resembling the vertical parallel carvings. 

Summary and Remarks

William Gross says: "In a rather extraordinary event in the history of Hebrew printing there existed in the first quarter of the 19th century a Basel printer of Hebrew texts at a time when there was hardly a market for these creations in Switzerland. it is interesting to note that almost all of his productions had illustrated elements, usually at the beginning of the publication. this example is a scroll of Esther published in a scroll form as one of the few such printed Esther scrolls recorded up to this period.  until this time printed Esther texts were published almost exclusively in codex format."

The text panels are numbered in the upper-right corners in tiny Arabic numerals from 1 to 17; the initial and final panels contain no numbers.

The text in the scroll is vocalized and in some places, between the text panels, alternative vocalization of words appears.

Remarks

3 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
GFC Wilhelm Hass Paper Esther Scroll with Illustrations | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1806
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Haas, Wilhelm (1766-1838, Publisher in Basel)
{"2604":"Active in Basel for nearly four decades starting from 1786."}
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Ink, letterpress, and woodcut on paper
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
The scroll: 230x3087 mm.
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition

The scroll is well preserved although its opening section was torn in several places and was repaired.

The paper of the opening part of the scroll is yellow and its remaining part is white.

Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents

The Book of Esther in Hebrew with the initial and final benedictions and the liturgical poem Asher Heni

Codicology

The scroll is formed of 10 sheets containing three initial benedictions + 17 text columns with 20 lines per each + the final panel with the benediction and the liturgical poem. Col. 14 is planned for 11 lines divided into two half-columns. 

Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
The name of the printing office and its location (באסעל בדפוס ווילהעלם האאס) are given in a short Hebrew inscription that is below the last text panel.
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

No bibliography on the scroll is available.

Joseph Prijs, Die Basler hebraeischen Drucke (1492–1866), Olten–Freiburg 1964, 435-437, 445, object 301.

Type
Documenter
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Author of description
Dagmara Budzioch | 2021
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |