Dr. Israel Mehlman's Library – Thousands of Books on Various Topics

Dr. Israel Mehlman's Library – Thousands of Books on Various Topics
Collection of thousands of books, on widely varying topics, from Jewish religious texts to scholarly and reference works, from the library of the renowned bibliographer and book collector Israel Mehlman, printed ca. 1640-1985.
A large collection of books from the estate of Israel Mehlman, reflecting the wide range of his fields of interest. The collection includes: • Books printed in the 17th and 18th centuries. • Books printed in the 19th century (prayer books, Kabbalah, Musar and Chassidut). • Early Haskalah movement and Judaic studies works. • Hebrew bibliography works. • Books of Jewish thought, philosophy, art and poetry. • Books in bibliophile and limited editions. • Folk literature in Yiddish and Ladino. • Periodicals, polemic books and various publications. • And more.
A comprehensive list of the books will be sent upon request. The list was drawn up by the family, and the books were not examined by Kedem specialists. There may be slight differences between the list and the actual library, as well as in the state of the books. The buyer is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information.
The viewing of the collection will take place at the family's home. Appointments can be scheduled through the Kedem office.
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Dr. Israel Mehlman (1900-1989) is renowned as one of the greatest book collectors, and for the bibliographic wealth of his library, which he laboriously and meticulously compiled. He began building up his library as a young refugee in Vienna, continually adding books and works after immigrating to Eretz Israel in 1935, and as head of educational and academic institutions. Until his final days, Dr. Mehlman continued collecting and methodically cataloging his books.
Dr. Israel Mehlman was born in Eastern Galicia; at the age of fourteen, as WWI broke out, his family fled to Vienna, where he continued his studies, eventually graduating from the Vienna University. A teacher and educator, he continued his work in Eretz Israel after immigrating there in 1935. He was appointed principal of the David Yellin Teachers College in Jerusalem, and head of the Jewish Agency Department of Education. Dr. Mehlman was also one of the founders of the Tel-Aviv University, and served as head of the department of literature and dramatic studies.
A large part of his library, which comprised at its zenith approximately 35,000 books, was donated to the National Library in Jerusalem, and to Beit Hatfutsot. After the donation, Dr. Mehlman enthusiastically resumed the development of his library. The National Library, upon receiving the collection, published a catalog, Ginzei Yisrael – The Israel Mehlman Collection in the Jewish National and University Library, An Annotated Catalogue of the Hebrew Books, Booklets and Pamphlets, with a bibliographic record of 1893 books from the collection, with 47 plates.