Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
Sephardi Machzor for the High Holy Days – Amsterdam, 1689 – Copy Previously in the Possession of the Merchant Michael (Yehiel) Gratz from Philadelphia, 18th Century
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Sold for: $27,500
Including buyer's premium
Sephardi Machzor for the High Holy Days and the order of Selichot for the night prayers. Amsterdam: Joseph Atthias, [1689].
A copy that belonged to Michael (Yehiel) Gratz, a well-known merchant and one of the leaders of the "Mikveh Israel" community in Philadelphia in the late 18th century.
Appearing on one of the front endpapers and on the title page is the signature "Gratz"; at the bottom of p. 2b is the Hebrew signature "Yehiel ben Shlomo Gratz"; at the bottom of the last page (p. 402b) is an additional signature: "Michl Gratz".
Michael (Yehiel) Gratz (1740-1811), born in Lagendorf, Germany, immigrated to England and then to the U.S. circa 1759 and settled in Philadelphia, joining his elder brother Bernard. The Gratz brothers engaged in trade, including with Native Americans, providing the government with Native American products. They created trade routes between New Orleans and Quebec, and when the political climate allowed, also engaged in trade in the regions of Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kentucky. The Gratz brothers are among the signees of the Non-Importation Resolutions from 1765 – regulations against the import of goods from Britain, declared in protest of the Stamp Act imposed that year by the British parliament on the American colonies.
About a decade later the Gratz brothers also served as suppliers to the Continental Army – the united command of the thirteen American colonies that fought against Britain during the American War of Independence (for additional information on the Gratz brothers, see enclosed material).
During the period in which Michael Gratz was active, the Jewish community in the United States was extremely small: in the late 18th century, about 2000 Jews resided in the U.S., and in 1800 – only 2500 (out of a population of about two million). Of these, less than a thousand Jews resided in New York and Philadelphia.
For additional information on Michael Gratz and the Gratz family, see: Jewish Encyclopedia, 1906 edition, volume 6, pp. 81-83.
At the end of the book is a handwritten list detailing the book's provenance. The book had also been in the possession of Rebecca Gratz (one of Michael Gratz's daughters) and was given by one of Gratz's great-grandchildren, Henry Joseph, to Clarence Isaac de Sola from Montreal.
Preceding the title page is an engraving of the Tabernacle and the camp of the Israelites in the desert, with the title "Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur". Appearing in a number of places in the machzor are handwritten notes (in semi-cursive Sephardic script) with additions to the liturgy.
[1], 402 [i.e. 312] leaves, 16 cm. Good overall condition. Stains. Pen inscription on title page. Slight worming to inside of front binding and front endpapers. Original leather binding, with defects and some wear (most of the defects are to the margins, corners and spine). Gilt edges.
A copy that belonged to Michael (Yehiel) Gratz, a well-known merchant and one of the leaders of the "Mikveh Israel" community in Philadelphia in the late 18th century.
Appearing on one of the front endpapers and on the title page is the signature "Gratz"; at the bottom of p. 2b is the Hebrew signature "Yehiel ben Shlomo Gratz"; at the bottom of the last page (p. 402b) is an additional signature: "Michl Gratz".
Michael (Yehiel) Gratz (1740-1811), born in Lagendorf, Germany, immigrated to England and then to the U.S. circa 1759 and settled in Philadelphia, joining his elder brother Bernard. The Gratz brothers engaged in trade, including with Native Americans, providing the government with Native American products. They created trade routes between New Orleans and Quebec, and when the political climate allowed, also engaged in trade in the regions of Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kentucky. The Gratz brothers are among the signees of the Non-Importation Resolutions from 1765 – regulations against the import of goods from Britain, declared in protest of the Stamp Act imposed that year by the British parliament on the American colonies.
About a decade later the Gratz brothers also served as suppliers to the Continental Army – the united command of the thirteen American colonies that fought against Britain during the American War of Independence (for additional information on the Gratz brothers, see enclosed material).
During the period in which Michael Gratz was active, the Jewish community in the United States was extremely small: in the late 18th century, about 2000 Jews resided in the U.S., and in 1800 – only 2500 (out of a population of about two million). Of these, less than a thousand Jews resided in New York and Philadelphia.
For additional information on Michael Gratz and the Gratz family, see: Jewish Encyclopedia, 1906 edition, volume 6, pp. 81-83.
At the end of the book is a handwritten list detailing the book's provenance. The book had also been in the possession of Rebecca Gratz (one of Michael Gratz's daughters) and was given by one of Gratz's great-grandchildren, Henry Joseph, to Clarence Isaac de Sola from Montreal.
Preceding the title page is an engraving of the Tabernacle and the camp of the Israelites in the desert, with the title "Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur". Appearing in a number of places in the machzor are handwritten notes (in semi-cursive Sephardic script) with additions to the liturgy.
[1], 402 [i.e. 312] leaves, 16 cm. Good overall condition. Stains. Pen inscription on title page. Slight worming to inside of front binding and front endpapers. Original leather binding, with defects and some wear (most of the defects are to the margins, corners and spine). Gilt edges.
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