R. Gergely (ed.): Microcard catalogue of the rare hebrew codices, manuscripts and anciens prints in the Kaufmann Collection reproduced on microcards
Prof. Ignácz Goldziher's lecture
study of these books. Among them there excels particularly Abraham Graziano, a free-thinking rabbi of Modena, himself a diligent author and Hebrew poet (died at Modena in 1685), who was also a refined collector of books and manuscripts. He was named "the bee of Modena" by David Kaufmann in the review of one of his collections. He furnished with highly important notes and glosses some pieces of our collection which had been on his bookshelves two centuries and a half ago; in addition, it was he who compiled a group of the manuscirpts, thus also most of the collection of responsa mentioned above. From among the works enriched with Graziano's glosses I e. g. especially refer to the historical work (Salseleth ha-Kabbälah) under Nr. 848, the editio princeps from Venice, which has, on account of Graziano's insertions, been several times asked for abroad. IV. The collection of the manuscripts and printed books detailed in the catalogue, which only extends to books in Hebrew and Arabic, is completed by European specialist books : on which a card-index is available. Accordingly, the Kaufmann endowment of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences consists of the following groups : 1. Manuscripts 594 pieces V. As was reported to the Academy on a previous occasion, Mrs. Sigismund Gomperz also presented a valuable collection, besides the library, to the Academy. This collection has a great value from an art-historical, rather than a literary, point of view. It contains 25 richly illustrated codices in Hebrew, mostly on parchment, and most of them coming from Italy. They were acquired by David Kaufmann from the famous Trieste-Collection in Padua. It was not without hindrances that they were allowed to leave Italy. On the Italian frontier the law forbidding the export of art treasures was applied 2. Prints (excluding Nrs. 3—5) 3. Bibliographical works 4. Periodicals, yearbooks, etc. ., 5. Tracts, pamphlets 1,583 47 258 358 Total 2,840 pieces 20
