On the dangers of appraisals: An "autograph" copy of the Noda Beyehuda's דגול מרבבה

Of the many reasons I get called for appraisals of book collections, the most straight-forward ones are generally the ones where the family is looking to split the collection between inheritors. In this particular case, the family was not interested in selling any part of the collection, but wanted to know the values so they can ensure a fair division between the siblings.

The prize of the collection were several autograph manuscripts by prominent Rabbis, including the Chatam Sofer, the Maharam Schik and the Noda Beyehuda, Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, that were in the family for generations. I was told that these were already appraised and authenticated a decade earlier by a noted expert and a cursory look confirmed the former two, but the work of the Noda Beyehuda, what was said to be in the handwriting of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau didn't seem right. I took a few photos with the intention of confirming the handwriting once I got back to the store and can verify the identity.

Opening a first printed edition copy of the Dagul Merevavah quickly confirmed my suspicions, published by the author's son, R. Israel Landau, he explicitly writes on the title page that he copied the text from the margins of the Shulhan Aruch of his father. Additional comparisons confirmed that the handwriting was indeed of his son.

Reporting back to the family, suffice it to say, that they were very displeased with my findings, which effectively deducted 95% of the value that was originally estimated, in the 6 figure range.

Original Manuscript of דגול מרבבה

Title page of first edition of דגול מרבבה