A rare manuscript by German Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in London.
The manuscript, which sold Tuesday for $55,000, is a German translation of Shaftesbury’s essay “On the Freedom of Wit and Humor.” It is one of four autographed manuscripts by the 18th century intellectual, and was described by the auction house manuscripts specialist as “by far the most significant manuscript by Mendelssohn to appear at auction in recent times.”
A spokesperson for Sotheby’s noted the manuscript was estimated at $29,600 to $39,500.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.