KIRCHNER, PAUL CHRISTIAN

Jüdisches Ceremoniel: oder Beschreibung dererjenigen Gebräuche, welche die Jüden sowol inn- als ausser dem Tempel ...in acht zu nehmen pflegen. Nunmehro aber bey dieser neuen Auflage mit accuraten Kupfern versehen... Nürnberg : Peter Conrad Monath, 1734. Third edition. Contemporary vellum with all edges sprinkled red, 8 1/4 x 6 3/8 inches (21 x 16.25 cm). Collation: 4º: A4(-A3)B–2I4χ4; [x] 226 [26] pp. With an engraved frontispiece, engraved title page, and 28 two-page folding plates, all with brilliant contemporary hand coloring. Binding soiled and slightly sprung, but very sturdy, with no cracks or losses. Paper toned with age and softened as is typical of German books from the eighteenth century, but only minimally foxed and spotted. Just a few very short marginal tears throughout; a small split in the gutter of plate 16, with no loss to the image itself. The hand-colored engravings are bright and clear. Overall, a very nice copy.

Paul Christian Kirchner, a Jewish convert to Christianity, published his description of Jewish ceremonies and customs in 1717. His stated goal was to encourage other Jews to follow his example in converting to Christianity. This 1724 edition, edited by Sebastian Jugendres, tones down some of Kirchner's rhetoric and adds the copperplate engravings, which remain important sources for depictions of Jewish life in German-speaking areas during the early modern era. This copy is in uncommonly fine condition, and we trace no other hand-colored copies at auction, in the trade, or in institutions.