Pressburger Ghettobilder
Bratislava-Pressburg: Sigmund Steiner Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1932. First edition. Softcover. Octavo. 145 (3)pp. Rebacked in black quarter-cloth retaining original photo-illustrated black and white wraps with white and black lettering on cover. Star of David on title page. The Pressburg (Bratislava) Ghetto was one of the most prominent and distinctive ghettos in the history of Slovakia. It's Talmud College enjoyed a well deserved international reputation and therefore is considered a stronghold of Jewish knowledge. The publication is not to intended to present a complete history of the ghetto but rather provide an impression of life in the ghetto back then and today.
Though the origins of the first Jews in Slovakia is uncertain, the fact is that there were scattered Jews when Hungarians conquered Slovakia in the 11th century. King Koloman was the first to allow Jews to acquire land towards the end of the 11th century and the Jewish population increased significantly due to the prosecution of Jews in neighboring Bohemia. The publication provides a history of the Jews in Pressburg with reference to the synagogue, the Koholhaus (Parish Hall), Talmudic schools, the tribunal, various Jewish guards, the fire department, and the Klezmer musicians. An extensive chapter entitled Ghettobilder (Ghetto Pictures) informs about the customs, participation of Jews in the city's life and administration, the ghetto in war times, several personalities living in the ghetto, Jewish participation in war times, special meeting places, anecdotes, the ghetto fire of 1913, and the tale of the speaking fish. Another chapter introduces some twenty characters living in the ghetto, followed by one with various anecdotes highlighting the specific humor. Pages 93 to 103 with ghetto sayings (Sprichwörter). Pages 132 to 145 with dictionary of ghetto slang.
The book also contains short chapters outlining the rules in the ghetto, its proverbs, idioms and games customary. The book closes with a chapter entitled "One Year in Today's Ghetto." Contains Hebrew-German dictionary, including common jargon at rear. Text in German, with Hebrew. Wraps with some wear, small chips along edges, light creasing and staining, rubbed. Wraps reinforced with paper strip at gutters of inside covers. First edition of this rare publication. g- to g+. Item #47471
Price: $2,250.00