Friday, December 5, 1947
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE
Page Sixteen
In JIGS Post
Rare Book Dealer finds
Adventure in Collections
More Refugees Helped
to Emigrate by JDC
additional 68
ROME.—An
Jewish men, women and chil-
dren left this port in November
en route to new homes in the
United States and South Ameri-
ca under the emigration pro-
grams of the Joint Distribution
Committee.
Dr. Rosenbach Is happy in a Task
That Seems Awful Bore to Most
By IRVING KAIIEN
One of the least understood trades is that of the rare book
dealer. How anyone can get excited about old books or manu-
scripts, to the extent of paying thousands of dollars for one volume,
mystifies the uninitiated. But, according to one expert, the rare
book dealer requires some very rare human qualities to become
good in his trade.
A love of fine books, a secure gifts of rare books to her seven
grasp of details, a retentive mem- children on anniversary celebra-
ory, a keen intuition, accuracy in tions. Their uncle, Moses Polock,
judgment, swiftness in decision, had a combined bookshop and
courage in action, these are just publishing house which was a
ABRAHAM FEITELBERG,
a few of the characteristics that rendezvous for publishers, writers
veteran social worker who is
make for success in that field. and collectors.
pew director of the National
And one of the most successful
Jewish Welflre Board's army
Moses Polock entrusted his
men in the rare book trade is young nephew to act as his agent
and navy division.
Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach. by the time Rosenbach was en-
"Dr. Rosenbach," said one au- tering his teens.
heart in his mouth, bid for Gray's
thority at a recent auction, "can , UNEARTHS RARITIES
Odes, upping the other bids ten
hardly enter an auction room
Some of the adventures Rosen- cents at a time. He bought it
without becoming news."
bach has had in finding the items for $3.60. He has since been of-
REPURCIIASES 'ALICE'
for his private collection are ex- fered $5,000 for it.
A few years ago, Dr. Rosen- citing. As a sophomore at the
These are the sort of finds,
bach made the news headlines by University of Pennsylvania, he Rosenbach claims, that keep him
paying thousands of dollars for spent his time in browsing around young, in spirit if not in age.
the original manuscript of "Alice bookshops and auction rooms, he
ENGLISH TEACHER
In Wonderland," which had be- came upon a copy of Gray's
Rosenbach started out on a ca-
longed to him in the first place, "Odes," a first edition, lying on
and which he had sold for less top of a pile of manuscripts. This reer of teaching English at the
was interesting, in itself, but University of Pennsylvania, from
than half that price originally!
In the business since he was more interesting was the manu- 1898 to 1901. But book collecting
nine, Dr. Rosenbach bought his script bound with it. It was a became such a mania that he
first book when he was 11 and long-lost first edition of the "Pro- gave it up to enter the trade.
Because of his excellent memory
paid for it out of his meager al- logue" written by Samuel John-
son for David Garrick at the and wide knowledge, he became
lowance at school.
A love for rare books, together opening of the Drury Lane The- the leading dealer in the market.
with an insatiable appetite for ater in 1797.
Now a trustee of the Philadel-
The young bibliophile looked phia Museum of Art. Dr. Rosen-
collection, seems to run in the
Rosenbach family. Dr. Rosen- around quickly. Fortunately there bach has been awarded an hon-
bach's sister, Rebecca, is an ama- was no other agent in sight. orary doctorate in fine arts, and
Quickly he shoved the manu- another doctorate by the Jewish
teur collector.
Their mother, the former Isa- script into the middle of the pile. Theological Seminary of Ameri-
bella Polock, delighted in giving When the time for bidding came ca.
ground, young Rosenbach, his
To those who cannot under-
LZO Unit Plans
Chanukah Party
Chapter IV, Labor Zionist Or-
ganization of America, will de-
vote its monthly meeting to a
Chanukah party.
The'- affair will be held at 9
p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Schreier,
3238 Leslie avenue. Simon Rich-
The refugees coming to the ardson will light the candles.
United States will be met by
Reservations are being,( accept-
representatives of the United ed for LZO's annual New Year's
Service for New Americans.
party to take place at the Labor
Zionist Institute, Linwood and
Pasadena avenues.
More than 11,100 Jewish chil-
dren in France depend on the
Joint Distribution Committee.
Of this number, 3,100 are cared
for in 66 JDC-supported chil-
dren's homes; 2,000 live in
The board of directors of the
JDC-assisted foster families, and
2,500 are helped through aid to women's division, Jewish Wel- ,
fare Federation, will meet Dec.„
their parents.
17, at the home of Mrs. Melvill(11,)
S. Welt, it was announced by
stand his love for his books, Dr. Mrs. Max R. Frank, division
president.
Rosenbach has this to say:
The relation of local social
'Books are the final appeal. The
collector (with them) can deco- services to crucial overseas
rate his mind . • . and this needs an dthe question of com-
munity responsibility to each
lasts forever."
will be a point of major discus.
In his work, there is no bore- sion, Mrs. Frank said.
dom nor satiation; each new auc-
tion brings new thrills, and each
JOACHAMIN FAMILY
A Chanukah party will be
edition of value brings a delight
never again to be duplicated.
held at the Joachamin Family
"I am a man," says Dr. Rosen- Club's meeting Sunday in the
bach, "who is truly happy in his home of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Ku-
work."
tinsky of Sturtevant avenue.
Board of JWF Women
to Sift Foreign Needs
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E. CIIRISTIN NORMOYLE
11, g !qtyar
SEASON'S GREETINGS
ROMAN
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