Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
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Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy handwritten letter, from a passenger on the USS Delaware (Lewis Woofley?). Sent from the port of Mahon (Menorca), to Ohio, United States. October 1834. English.
An interesting letter describing a journey to Palestine via Italy, including a report of a visit to Egypt, meeting Pasha Muhammad Ali, approaching Palestine and meeting the first American consular agent in Palestine, David Darmon.
This letter was written by a passenger on one of the first American ships to reach the shores of Palestine – USS Delaware. The journey took place in 1834, only four years after the United States and the Ottoman Empire signed a treaty establishing sailing and commerce relations between the two countries, and the letter constitutes an important documentation of the Middle East at this historic time.
The letter includes an interesting description of Pasha Muhammad Ali (1769-1849), founder of modern Egypt, who hosted some of the passengers in his palace: "He did not rise to meet us but kept his crossed legged position reclining his head and motioning us to be seated… Coffee was… handed us in fine China goblets, resting on golden stands. The Pacha is one of the most interesting men, in many respects, of the age. The changes that he has introduced among his subjects, the improvements that he has made and is still carrying on in Egypt are immense. He cut one canal 40 miles in length… by which water is brought from the Nile to the city... It only took a few weeks to complete it, as 120,000 hands were employed in its construction… 30,000 are said to have perished while at work on this canal!".
The letter further describes reaching the shores of Palestine and meeting the first American consular agent in Palestine, David Darmon: "On the morning of the 12th [of August], we came in sight of land – the 'Holy Land!' Palestine!... We stood off and on from Jaffa during the day, and sent in to inquire for information respecting the health and the state of the roads between this place and Jerusalem. The Consul came on board and from the account he gave us of the unsettled state of the country, the bad roads… the danger of bandits or robbers by the way, as well as the existence of plagues and fever in Jerusalem itself seems to preclude the possibility of making a pilgrimage to the 'Holy City' – what a pity! After having come so far and being so near to it – Like Moses, we are only to be permitted to see the 'promised land', but not to enter it" (on 15th August, some of the passengers on this ship, presumably including the writer of this letter, reached Jerusalem. In a postscript on the first page, dated October, the writer notes that he was unable to describe the rest of the journey due to the cholera epidemic).
David Darmon was the first diplomatic representative of the United States in Palestine (his official title was consular agent, since he was appointed before the American consulate was established in Jerusalem, and was subordinate to the consulate in Constantinople). Darmon, a French Jew and an unknown figure in the United States, was appointed in 1832 upon the recommendation of the Jewish American traveler, Colonel Mendes Cohen (Cohen fought in the War of 1812, and spent many years in the Middle East). He was removed from his position in 1835, only three years after his appointment, partly due to his poor performance in accommodating American travelers.
Due in part to his short tenure, it is rare to find documentation of Darmon's activity in Palestine.
[1] leaf, folded in two (four written pages). 25 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and stains. Tears (including open tears) to margins and folds, slightly affecting text. On final page, near address, postmark from New York ("New York / Ship / Jan 20").
An interesting letter describing a journey to Palestine via Italy, including a report of a visit to Egypt, meeting Pasha Muhammad Ali, approaching Palestine and meeting the first American consular agent in Palestine, David Darmon.
This letter was written by a passenger on one of the first American ships to reach the shores of Palestine – USS Delaware. The journey took place in 1834, only four years after the United States and the Ottoman Empire signed a treaty establishing sailing and commerce relations between the two countries, and the letter constitutes an important documentation of the Middle East at this historic time.
The letter includes an interesting description of Pasha Muhammad Ali (1769-1849), founder of modern Egypt, who hosted some of the passengers in his palace: "He did not rise to meet us but kept his crossed legged position reclining his head and motioning us to be seated… Coffee was… handed us in fine China goblets, resting on golden stands. The Pacha is one of the most interesting men, in many respects, of the age. The changes that he has introduced among his subjects, the improvements that he has made and is still carrying on in Egypt are immense. He cut one canal 40 miles in length… by which water is brought from the Nile to the city... It only took a few weeks to complete it, as 120,000 hands were employed in its construction… 30,000 are said to have perished while at work on this canal!".
The letter further describes reaching the shores of Palestine and meeting the first American consular agent in Palestine, David Darmon: "On the morning of the 12th [of August], we came in sight of land – the 'Holy Land!' Palestine!... We stood off and on from Jaffa during the day, and sent in to inquire for information respecting the health and the state of the roads between this place and Jerusalem. The Consul came on board and from the account he gave us of the unsettled state of the country, the bad roads… the danger of bandits or robbers by the way, as well as the existence of plagues and fever in Jerusalem itself seems to preclude the possibility of making a pilgrimage to the 'Holy City' – what a pity! After having come so far and being so near to it – Like Moses, we are only to be permitted to see the 'promised land', but not to enter it" (on 15th August, some of the passengers on this ship, presumably including the writer of this letter, reached Jerusalem. In a postscript on the first page, dated October, the writer notes that he was unable to describe the rest of the journey due to the cholera epidemic).
David Darmon was the first diplomatic representative of the United States in Palestine (his official title was consular agent, since he was appointed before the American consulate was established in Jerusalem, and was subordinate to the consulate in Constantinople). Darmon, a French Jew and an unknown figure in the United States, was appointed in 1832 upon the recommendation of the Jewish American traveler, Colonel Mendes Cohen (Cohen fought in the War of 1812, and spent many years in the Middle East). He was removed from his position in 1835, only three years after his appointment, partly due to his poor performance in accommodating American travelers.
Due in part to his short tenure, it is rare to find documentation of Darmon's activity in Palestine.
[1] leaf, folded in two (four written pages). 25 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and stains. Tears (including open tears) to margins and folds, slightly affecting text. On final page, near address, postmark from New York ("New York / Ship / Jan 20").
Category
Americana
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Unsold
Book of Tehillim, Liber Psalmorum Hebraice cum notis selectis ex editione Francisci Hare; et cum selecta lectionum varietate ex ed. Vet. Test. Heb. Benj. Kennicott. [Published by the Harvard University]. Cambridge: Hilliard et Metcalf, 1809. Hebrew and Latin.
Book of Tehillim in Hebrew, with translation and notes in Latin – first book of the Bible printed in Hebrew in America (and in fact the first Hebrew Book of Tehillim printed in America).
The first books of the Bible to be published in America were printed in English, to meet the needs of the Christian Puritan community. In the early 19th century, the need arose for a Hebrew Bible. The printing of this Book of Tehillim was the first time any part of the Bible was printed in Hebrew in America. Shortly after its publication, plans to print the entire Bible in Hebrew were proposed, and in 1814, the first Hebrew Bible in America was published (see next item).
The present copy was owned by the Osgood family for several generations. It originally belonged to Hannah P. Osgood, and was handed over to Jacob Osgood upon her passing. Handwritten ownership inscription (in English) on the front endpapers, with the signature of Peter Osgood.
[1], 495 pages. 18 cm. Good condition. Stains, including some ink stains. Minor creases and several tears. Fine original leather binding (with book title gilt-lettered on spine). Damage and repairs to binding. Placed in a fine (new) slipcase.
Goldman 1. Not recorded by Singerman; does not appear in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book nor in the NLI catalog.
Book of Tehillim in Hebrew, with translation and notes in Latin – first book of the Bible printed in Hebrew in America (and in fact the first Hebrew Book of Tehillim printed in America).
The first books of the Bible to be published in America were printed in English, to meet the needs of the Christian Puritan community. In the early 19th century, the need arose for a Hebrew Bible. The printing of this Book of Tehillim was the first time any part of the Bible was printed in Hebrew in America. Shortly after its publication, plans to print the entire Bible in Hebrew were proposed, and in 1814, the first Hebrew Bible in America was published (see next item).
The present copy was owned by the Osgood family for several generations. It originally belonged to Hannah P. Osgood, and was handed over to Jacob Osgood upon her passing. Handwritten ownership inscription (in English) on the front endpapers, with the signature of Peter Osgood.
[1], 495 pages. 18 cm. Good condition. Stains, including some ink stains. Minor creases and several tears. Fine original leather binding (with book title gilt-lettered on spine). Damage and repairs to binding. Placed in a fine (new) slipcase.
Goldman 1. Not recorded by Singerman; does not appear in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book nor in the NLI catalog.
Category
Americana
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $6,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $12,000
Unsold
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden Denuo Recognitam, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata Ab Everardo Van der Hooght. Philadelphia: Gulielmi Fry for Thomae Dobson, 1814. Hebrew, some Latin. Two volumes.
First complete Bible printed in Hebrew in America.
Bible in two volumes, non-vocalized. With Latin foreword by Everardo Van Der Hooght and Latin notes in the margins. The text is based on the Everardo Van Der Hooght edition printed in Amsterdam (the title pages of Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim state: "produced with intensive study in Amsterdam"; Goldman notes that in some copies, this statement was omitted).
In 1812, Jonathan Horwitz proposed the publication of a Hebrew Bible using the Hebrew type which he brought with him from Amsterdam to America, but he soon discovered that he was not alone in his desire to produce such a Bible. In early 1813, in the face of stiff competition, Horwitz sold the Hebrew type, his publication rights and list of subscribers to Thomas Dobson and William Fry who issued the present edition.
Vol. I: [6], 296 leaves. Vol. II: [4], 3-312 leaves (leaves 145-148 are bound between leaves 140-141. Leaves 305-308 bound upside down). 21.5 cm. Overall good condition. Marginal tears and minor damage to some leaves, professionally restored. Long tears and one open tear, slightly affecting text on leaves 32-33 of vol. II, professionally restored. Fine, new leather bindings. Placed in a new slipcase.
Singerman 236, Goldman 4.
First complete Bible printed in Hebrew in America.
Bible in two volumes, non-vocalized. With Latin foreword by Everardo Van Der Hooght and Latin notes in the margins. The text is based on the Everardo Van Der Hooght edition printed in Amsterdam (the title pages of Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim state: "produced with intensive study in Amsterdam"; Goldman notes that in some copies, this statement was omitted).
In 1812, Jonathan Horwitz proposed the publication of a Hebrew Bible using the Hebrew type which he brought with him from Amsterdam to America, but he soon discovered that he was not alone in his desire to produce such a Bible. In early 1813, in the face of stiff competition, Horwitz sold the Hebrew type, his publication rights and list of subscribers to Thomas Dobson and William Fry who issued the present edition.
Vol. I: [6], 296 leaves. Vol. II: [4], 3-312 leaves (leaves 145-148 are bound between leaves 140-141. Leaves 305-308 bound upside down). 21.5 cm. Overall good condition. Marginal tears and minor damage to some leaves, professionally restored. Long tears and one open tear, slightly affecting text on leaves 32-33 of vol. II, professionally restored. Fine, new leather bindings. Placed in a new slipcase.
Singerman 236, Goldman 4.
Category
Americana
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
The Books of Ruth and Esther in one volume. Philadelphia: The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, 1838. English.
The Books of Esther and Ruth in English. The book was printed in raised type for use by the blind. This printing system, known as the Boston Line Type, was commonly used before the Braille system, invented in France, was adopted in the United States.
The book was published by Julius Reinhold Friedlander (1803-1838), founder and director of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, which he established in 1832.
Dedication on first leaf printed in raised type (English): "Presented to Thomas S. Kirkbride, M. D. by the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind... Phild'a, May, 1838". Thomas Story Kirkbride (1809-1883), physician and psychiatrist, native of Pennsylvania; a pioneer in the field of mental health.
Friedlander, a German educator of Jewish origin, native of Prussia, acquired an education in the field of instruction of the blind in Europe, and upon immigrating to Philadelphia, introduced innovative teaching methods. During his tenure as director of the Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, he succeeded in increasing the student body, and published the first book in raised type in America (the Gospel of Mark), and the first magazine for the blind in North America, Lux ex Tenebris (Light from the Darkness).
Friedlander died shortly after this book was published, at the young age of 35, after serving as director of the institution for six years. The institution he founded exists until this day under the name Overbrook School for the Blind.
[4], 3-14, 32 pages. 30 cm. Landscape format. Good condition. Minor stains. Minor marginal creases and tears. Binding slightly worn, with minor tears. Open tear to spine.
Rare. Only one copy recorded in OCLC.
The Books of Esther and Ruth in English. The book was printed in raised type for use by the blind. This printing system, known as the Boston Line Type, was commonly used before the Braille system, invented in France, was adopted in the United States.
The book was published by Julius Reinhold Friedlander (1803-1838), founder and director of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, which he established in 1832.
Dedication on first leaf printed in raised type (English): "Presented to Thomas S. Kirkbride, M. D. by the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind... Phild'a, May, 1838". Thomas Story Kirkbride (1809-1883), physician and psychiatrist, native of Pennsylvania; a pioneer in the field of mental health.
Friedlander, a German educator of Jewish origin, native of Prussia, acquired an education in the field of instruction of the blind in Europe, and upon immigrating to Philadelphia, introduced innovative teaching methods. During his tenure as director of the Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, he succeeded in increasing the student body, and published the first book in raised type in America (the Gospel of Mark), and the first magazine for the blind in North America, Lux ex Tenebris (Light from the Darkness).
Friedlander died shortly after this book was published, at the young age of 35, after serving as director of the institution for six years. The institution he founded exists until this day under the name Overbrook School for the Blind.
[4], 3-14, 32 pages. 30 cm. Landscape format. Good condition. Minor stains. Minor marginal creases and tears. Binding slightly worn, with minor tears. Open tear to spine.
Rare. Only one copy recorded in OCLC.
Category
Americana
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Seder Tefillah, The Order of Prayer for Divine Service – Part I: prayers for weekdays, Shabbat, festivals and special days; Part II: Yom Kippur prayers. New York: Thalmessinger, Cahn & Benedicks, 1860-1863. Two parts in two volumes. Hebrew and English (with some German).
Second edition of the Seder Tefillah siddur by the Reform rabbi Dr. Leo Merzbacher; and the first edition revised by Dr. Samuel Adler. Includes year-round prayers; Hebrew and English on facing pages. Opens from right to left. Handwritten inscriptions on the endpapers of both volumes, including a hymn for the consecration day of Temple Emanuel in Curaçao (see below).
The Seder Tefillah siddur is the first Reform siddur printed in the United States, featuring the English translation alongside the Hebrew text (instead of the usual German translation found in siddurim published for Reform communities of German origin).
The siddur was compiled in 1855 by Dr. Leo Merzbacher, first rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in New York. Although Dr. Merzbacher's siddur kept to a certain degree the traditional prayer text, omitting, as he puts it, only prayers containing "repetitions, incongruities, and obvious abuses" – Orthodox R. Yissachar Ber (Bernard) Illowy issued a ban on whomever utilized this prayerbook (Response to Modernity, a History of the Reform Movement in Judaism. Detroit, 2019. p. 337).
The present edition, which was revised and corrected by Dr. Samuel Adler, successor of Dr. Merzbacher as rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, distanced itself even more from the traditional prayer text and adopted radical changes to the structure and text of the prayerbook (although the title page of this edition states that it is the second edition, Dr. Adler's revision in effect produced a new edition of the siddur, very distant from R. Merzbacher's original text). Seder Tefillah revised by Dr. Adler became the official prayerbook used by Temple Emanu-El, until the official reform prayerbook – the Union Prayer Book was published in 1895. In the second half of the 19th century, the siddur was reprinted in several editions.
Eulogy for Hedwig Rosenbaum on the endpapers of vol. I (presumably a member of Temple Emanu-El), indicating the date of death – 22nd August 1863 (in English).
Bound at the end of vol. II are 16 leaves from the 1864 edition of the siddur, with hymns in German, and four leaves with English hymns. "Hymn on the Consecration Day of the Temple Emanuel, Curacao [in the southern Caribbean Sea], 12 Sept 1867" handwritten on the back endpaper.
Vol. I: XVII, 181 pages. Vol. II: [2] leaves, 397 pages; [6], 32, [1] pages. Approx. 17 cm. Gilt edges. Good condition. Minor marginal creases and tears to several leaves. Open tears to endpapers of vol. I (not affecting inscription); these leaves are partially detached. Stains. Browned paper in vol. II. Marginal tears to one leaf of Psalms at end of vol. II, reinforced with tape.
Rare. Vol. I is not recorded in OCLC nor in Goldman.
Singerman 1667. Deinard (Kohelet America) 966-968. See Goldman 48 (third edition, 1864).
Second edition of the Seder Tefillah siddur by the Reform rabbi Dr. Leo Merzbacher; and the first edition revised by Dr. Samuel Adler. Includes year-round prayers; Hebrew and English on facing pages. Opens from right to left. Handwritten inscriptions on the endpapers of both volumes, including a hymn for the consecration day of Temple Emanuel in Curaçao (see below).
The Seder Tefillah siddur is the first Reform siddur printed in the United States, featuring the English translation alongside the Hebrew text (instead of the usual German translation found in siddurim published for Reform communities of German origin).
The siddur was compiled in 1855 by Dr. Leo Merzbacher, first rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in New York. Although Dr. Merzbacher's siddur kept to a certain degree the traditional prayer text, omitting, as he puts it, only prayers containing "repetitions, incongruities, and obvious abuses" – Orthodox R. Yissachar Ber (Bernard) Illowy issued a ban on whomever utilized this prayerbook (Response to Modernity, a History of the Reform Movement in Judaism. Detroit, 2019. p. 337).
The present edition, which was revised and corrected by Dr. Samuel Adler, successor of Dr. Merzbacher as rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, distanced itself even more from the traditional prayer text and adopted radical changes to the structure and text of the prayerbook (although the title page of this edition states that it is the second edition, Dr. Adler's revision in effect produced a new edition of the siddur, very distant from R. Merzbacher's original text). Seder Tefillah revised by Dr. Adler became the official prayerbook used by Temple Emanu-El, until the official reform prayerbook – the Union Prayer Book was published in 1895. In the second half of the 19th century, the siddur was reprinted in several editions.
Eulogy for Hedwig Rosenbaum on the endpapers of vol. I (presumably a member of Temple Emanu-El), indicating the date of death – 22nd August 1863 (in English).
Bound at the end of vol. II are 16 leaves from the 1864 edition of the siddur, with hymns in German, and four leaves with English hymns. "Hymn on the Consecration Day of the Temple Emanuel, Curacao [in the southern Caribbean Sea], 12 Sept 1867" handwritten on the back endpaper.
Vol. I: XVII, 181 pages. Vol. II: [2] leaves, 397 pages; [6], 32, [1] pages. Approx. 17 cm. Gilt edges. Good condition. Minor marginal creases and tears to several leaves. Open tears to endpapers of vol. I (not affecting inscription); these leaves are partially detached. Stains. Browned paper in vol. II. Marginal tears to one leaf of Psalms at end of vol. II, reinforced with tape.
Rare. Vol. I is not recorded in OCLC nor in Goldman.
Singerman 1667. Deinard (Kohelet America) 966-968. See Goldman 48 (third edition, 1864).
Category
Americana
Catalogue
Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
May 25, 2021
Opening: $30,000
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Unsold
Register of the Ahavath Chesed (Ahawath Chesed) congregation in Manhattan, New York, with thousands of marriage and death records from 1849-1900. German, with some English and Hebrew.
The Ahavath Chesed congregation was founded in 1846 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan by immigrants from Bohemia. The German-speaking community flourished and expanded, and relocated to the center of Manhattan, where it inaugurated its new premises in 1872. In 1898, the community merged with Congregation Shaar HaShamayim, and from 1917, it is known as the Central Synagogue.
This register contains comprehensive documentation of marriages and deaths in the Ahavath Chesed congregation, in the second half of the 19th century, and as such serves as a unique source of information on the history of this community and the history of New York Jewry in general. In the 1850s-1880s, there were only several tens of thousands of Jews in New York, of which close to 4000 are documented in this register. In many cases, this register serves as the only source of information on New York Jewry in that time. In other cases, it discloses inaccuracies in existing records (thus for instance, an entry on p. 125 records the passing of Hannah Bloomingdale, mother of the founders of the Bloomingdale's department stores in the United States, and states the exact date of her passing and her age at the time of her death – 62. In other sources, these details are not recorded, and she is sometimes recorded to have passed away at the age of 63).
Study of the register also allows us to track the development of the community over the years, and offers details about its members, leaders and activities. On p. 56 appears a record of the congregation's relocation to its new premises on Lexington Avenue corner of 55th Street (central Manhattan) in 1872; this location serves the congregation until this day.
The register documents prominent Jewish-German families, including: Oppenheim and Oppenheimer, Blumenthal, Guggenheimer, Weil, Wertheimer, Lauterbach, Loeb, Schwab, Schiff, and others, and sheds light on the activities of the rabbis and spiritual leaders in the community. Amongst others, the following rabbis are mentioned: Dr. Adolf Huebsch (first permanent rabbi of the congregation) and Dr. Alexander (Chanoch Yehudah) Kohut. On p. 76, a record of the marriage of Reform rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise.
Contents of the register:
Pp. 1-118: marriage records, 1849-1886.
Pp. 119-137: death records, 1874-1896.
Pp. 138-164: marriage records, 1886-1900.
Pp. 165-211: death records, 1849-1874.
The entries contain various combinations of the following details: Name (including maiden name), age, parents, spouse, date of marriage or death, name of officiating rabbi, place of burial and sum paid. In earlier records, the member's town of origin is often given (mostly towns in Bavaria and Bohemia). A small part of the entries document weddings which took place outside Manhattan. Most of the register is in German; a few entries (beginning from 1897) were written in English, and some of the dates are given in Hebrew.
[211] written pages (and several dozen blank pages). 31.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, some marginal creases and tears (mostly minor). Strip of paper pasted along margin on verso of first leaf (blank). Binding with gilt lettering, worn and rubbed, partially detached.
For more information about the contents of the register and its significance, see enclosed material (English).
The Ahavath Chesed congregation was founded in 1846 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan by immigrants from Bohemia. The German-speaking community flourished and expanded, and relocated to the center of Manhattan, where it inaugurated its new premises in 1872. In 1898, the community merged with Congregation Shaar HaShamayim, and from 1917, it is known as the Central Synagogue.
This register contains comprehensive documentation of marriages and deaths in the Ahavath Chesed congregation, in the second half of the 19th century, and as such serves as a unique source of information on the history of this community and the history of New York Jewry in general. In the 1850s-1880s, there were only several tens of thousands of Jews in New York, of which close to 4000 are documented in this register. In many cases, this register serves as the only source of information on New York Jewry in that time. In other cases, it discloses inaccuracies in existing records (thus for instance, an entry on p. 125 records the passing of Hannah Bloomingdale, mother of the founders of the Bloomingdale's department stores in the United States, and states the exact date of her passing and her age at the time of her death – 62. In other sources, these details are not recorded, and she is sometimes recorded to have passed away at the age of 63).
Study of the register also allows us to track the development of the community over the years, and offers details about its members, leaders and activities. On p. 56 appears a record of the congregation's relocation to its new premises on Lexington Avenue corner of 55th Street (central Manhattan) in 1872; this location serves the congregation until this day.
The register documents prominent Jewish-German families, including: Oppenheim and Oppenheimer, Blumenthal, Guggenheimer, Weil, Wertheimer, Lauterbach, Loeb, Schwab, Schiff, and others, and sheds light on the activities of the rabbis and spiritual leaders in the community. Amongst others, the following rabbis are mentioned: Dr. Adolf Huebsch (first permanent rabbi of the congregation) and Dr. Alexander (Chanoch Yehudah) Kohut. On p. 76, a record of the marriage of Reform rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise.
Contents of the register:
Pp. 1-118: marriage records, 1849-1886.
Pp. 119-137: death records, 1874-1896.
Pp. 138-164: marriage records, 1886-1900.
Pp. 165-211: death records, 1849-1874.
The entries contain various combinations of the following details: Name (including maiden name), age, parents, spouse, date of marriage or death, name of officiating rabbi, place of burial and sum paid. In earlier records, the member's town of origin is often given (mostly towns in Bavaria and Bohemia). A small part of the entries document weddings which took place outside Manhattan. Most of the register is in German; a few entries (beginning from 1897) were written in English, and some of the dates are given in Hebrew.
[211] written pages (and several dozen blank pages). 31.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, some marginal creases and tears (mostly minor). Strip of paper pasted along margin on verso of first leaf (blank). Binding with gilt lettering, worn and rubbed, partially detached.
For more information about the contents of the register and its significance, see enclosed material (English).
Category
Americana
Catalogue