Subject: American History

This book, "Abraham Lincoln and the Jews," was privately printed in New York City in 1909 by Isaac Markens. Page 46 contains a reference to a Lincoln acrostic also found within the collection (collection item number 13.1649).

Booklet containing the Act of Incorporation and By-laws of the Actors' Fund of America, first incorporated in 1882. Printed circa 1885. Lists Israel Fleishman as an actor and member of the Board of Directors. Includes a historical note referencing Fleishman's possible death in the Johnstown Flood (1889) as described in Willis Johnson's book on the subject. Edward Aronson, the publisher, was also a Board member, and Edward Dreifus served as the Fund's physician.

A carte-de-visite portrait photograph of David Levy Yulee (1810-1886), a prominent U.S. Senator from Florida and railroad developer. Yulee is shown standing in a dark suit with a bow tie, with his hand resting on a draped table. The photograph was taken from a negative by M. B. Brady and published by E. Anthony. The reverse side of the card includes printed details of the publisher and photographer, along with handwritten annotations identifying Yulee as a U.S. Senator and 'Railroad Promoter'. 3.

This archival item consists of materials related to a Civil War store token issued by H. Upmeyer and U.S. Civil War cards by Fuld. The materials describe the economic context of the Civil War, where a lack of metallic coins led tradesmen to issue tokens to facilitate commerce. Many of these tokens, like the one by Upmeyer, featured patriotic subjects. The description also mentions that the irresponsible issuance of these tokens prompted Congress to pass an act in 1864, prohibiting private individuals from issuing money. The item includes references to Stephen Douglas and Rev. Beading, and notes that H. Upmeyer later became part of Bunde (Louis) & Upmeyer, a major jewelry manufacturing company. The token's geographic context is Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it is made of copper. The materials were created sometime around 1863.

Silver commemorative medal celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jewish settlement in America. Minted in 1905, less than five silver examples are known to exist. Two gold medals were presented to President Theodore Roosevelt and former President Grover Cleveland. An additional 36 silver medals and 284 bronze medals were struck. The planned public monument in Central Park was never erected; funds were instead diverted to aid Russian Jews persecuted by pogroms.

Commemorative medal honoring Captain Isaac Hull, captain of the U.S.S. Constitution, for his victory over H.M.S. Guerriere in the War of 1812. The obverse features a bust of Hull, while the reverse depicts the battle. Created by Moritz Furst in 1820. The medal is described as having Hull's bust on the obverse and a rendering of the battle on the reverse. Additional information from the donor describes Moritz Furst's life and career as a Jewish Hungarian engraver, medalist, and portraitist, including his work for the U.S. Mint and his creation of numerous patriotic commemorative medals and portraits. The description also highlights Furst's work on decorative embellishments for silverware.

Commemorative medal honoring Major General Jacob Brown for his victories at Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie in 1814. The obverse depicts Brown in profile, while the reverse features flags, arms, and an American eagle. Created by Moritz Furst, the first Jewish medalist practicing in the USA. This medal was created in 1815. The medal's design recounts Brown's 1814 victories.

Copper medal with silvered surfaces, commemorating Captain William Bainbridge and the U.S.S. Constitution. The obverse depicts a profile of William Bainbridge in naval uniform; the reverse shows the U.S.S. Constitution in action, with Latin inscriptions. Struck in 1817 at the U.S. Mint by Moritz Furst. This medal is one of three appeals to congress by Furst to be named engraver at the Philadelphia mint.

Deck of playing cards manufactured by Huestis & Levy, circa 1854-1855. Each card measures 3 5/8" x 2 5/8" and is in very good condition with minimal edge wear. Accompanying the deck is a printed advertisement from an unbound volume of "The Illustrated American Biography" by A.D. Jones, published by J. Milton Emerson and Co., 29 Gold Street, New York, in 1854 or 1855. The advertisement depicts the Huestis & Levy factory/storefront at 177 & 179 Grand Street, New York. The playing cards and advertisement provide insights into the card manufacturing business of John J. Levy, nephew of Lewis I. Cohen, a prominent figure in early American card making. Information included details about the later formation of the New York Consolidated Card Company in 1871.

A four-page handwritten letter from Herman Hamburger, serving in Camp 18th Pa. Cav. at Fairfax Court House, VA, to his friend John Pugh Green, dated June 8, 1863. Hamburger reports on his experiences during the Civil War, detailing the monotony of his life as Acting Adjutant of the Regiment, minor skirmishes with bushwhackers and Mosby's guerrillas, and his preference for Philadelphia over camp life. He mentions seeing fellow soldiers, inquires about "Bedford Estate Papers," describes his horse's condition, and refers to a grand scout mission to Falmouth. Hamburger also asks about John's potential injury and mentions the Battle of Chancellorsville. The letter concludes with personal regards and instructions for directing mail. The document is written in legible cursive script.

A letter written by Joshua I. Cohen in Baltimore, Maryland on June 10, 1851. The letter pertains to the collection of American documents. Cohen co-founded an eye and ear clinic in Baltimore in 1840 with Dr. Chew and was also a professor of mineralogy. His library of Hebraica and Judaica was donated to Dropsie College in 1915.

A letter written by S. Liebovitz in New York, New York on August 10, 1892. The letter is addressed to an unknown recipient and its contents are currently undetermined. The letter mentions 14 & 16 Lispenard Street.

This manuscript comprises twenty-one handwritten pages, with sixteen bound in a handmade booklet (approx. 3" x 7.5") and five on three loose leaves (approx. 4" x 6.5"). It features selected Hebrew words and their English translations, progressing methodically through Genesis Chapters 11 to 40. Each chapter's translations are dated, starting November 12, 1805, for Chapter 11, and concluding in June 1806, for Chapter 40. The entries vary in length, from one to over fifty translated words or phrases per chapter, with no apparent repetition or narrative focus. The handwriting is clear and consistent throughout, presented in neat columns. The paper shows signs of age typical of the early 19th century.

A handwritten four-line poem signed by Francis Lieber, likely an autograph response, which reads: "Let Emperor never rule This land,/ Nor fitful Crowd, nor senseless pride;/ Our master is our self-made Law/ To him we bow, and none beside." The item also includes a newspaper obituary for Dr. Francis Lieber, dated October 3, 1872, detailing his life as a political philosopher, his military service, and his contributions to political science and international law, notably the "Lieber Code" during the American Civil War. The poem is written in a neat cursive hand on a folded sheet of paper. The obituary is a printed column of text, clipped from a newspaper. **3.

This map, surveyed by Samuel Lewis and published by Matthew Carey for Carey's American Edition of Guthrie's General Atlas, depicts the state of Pennsylvania. It details distinctive geography and topography, including the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains, major rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, Susquehanna, Delaware), and the all-important sliver of land connecting the state to Lake Erie. The map delineates Pennsylvania's county structure, towns, cities, creeks, roads, and mineral deposits, forming a basis for civil administration. It is significant as the first map to show the full extent of Pennsylvania after independence, based on Reading Howell's 1792 survey. The map features an ornate compass rose in the top right corner, typical of period cartography, and was engraved by Smither. It notably includes Aaronsburg, the first town in the U.S. named after a Jew, Aaron Levy, who founded it in 1786.

This is an issue of the "Daily National Intelligencer," a newspaper published in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 1843. Page 3 notably features the first instance of "Noah's Weekly Messenger," a weekly column by Mordecai Manuel Noah. The newspaper is laid out in a multi-column format with densely printed text and includes small woodcut illustrations, typical of 19th-century periodicals.

Issue of Niles' Weekly Register newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland on May 8, 1824. This issue contains an early report (possibly the first) about a rabbi from Jerusalem arriving in Charleston, South Carolina to seek funds for the redemption of captives held by the Turks in Jerusalem. The newspaper is 15 pages long and measures 24 cm.

This U.S. passport, issued by the United States Department of State and authorized by Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, certifies Gabriel Einstein and his family as citizens of the United States. Dated July 8, 1869, and issued from Washington, DC, the document requests "all lawful Aid and Protection" for the bearers. It includes a detailed physical description of Gabriel Einstein, noting his age, stature, facial features (forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin), hair, complexion, and face. The passport features an ornate header proclaiming "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" with scrollwork, and bears the official seal of the Department of State with an eagle. The reverse side shows a faint watermark of the Great Seal of the United States, including an eagle and the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM".

Collection of two pre-Civil War Judaica playing card tokens. The Queen of Diamonds token features the address "236 SOUTH 36TH ST., PHILA." and the Jack of Clubs token displays "NO. 1 BARCLAY ST., NYC." Additional inscriptions mention "COUSIN OF ISAAC LEVY/NEPHEW OF LEWIS I. COHEN," indicating a potential family connection, and note a merger in 1871. The tokens are described as being made of silver plate. The tokens date from before the Civil War (1861-1865), with a tentative date provided as January 1, 1850.

This souvenir program commemorates the Inaugural Ball for President Benjamin Harrison and Vice President Levi Morton, held in Washington, D.C. on March 4, 1889. The cover features a cream-colored card with scalloped edges and an attached pink silk ribbon in the upper left corner. The center of the cover displays "Souvenir Inaugural Ball March 4th 1889" in ornate, gold embossed or gilded script, arranged in a circular design with two stars. Inside, the program includes an elaborate engraving depicting an American eagle perched on rocks with a flowing American flag, flanked by allegorical figures, overlooking a cityscape including the Washington Monument. Below this image, the text "INAUGURAL BALL, MARCH 4th 1889 WASHINGTON, D.C." is printed, followed by a list of names, likely committee members or attendees. A subsequent page features an engraved portrait of Benjamin Harrison with his facsimile signature. Simon Wolf is noted as a member of the Executive Committee.

This shipping record, or bill of lading, documents the shipment of military supplies including 162 pieces of clothing, 172 pieces of blankets, and one box of Prince Paper. The goods were consigned by A. C. Myers, Quartermaster Master of the U.S. Army, and shipped aboard the Brig Mustang from New York, New York, bound for Indianola, Texas. The items were to be delivered to Captain R. E. Clary of the Quartermaster Department, U.S. Army, in San Antonio, Texas. The freight charges amounted to $285.47. The document is a printed form with handwritten details and features a prominent decorative eagle logo, likely representing the U.S. Army, at the top center. A circular blue ink stamp is partially visible on the right side of the document. **3.

Shipping record from Hendricks & Brothers in New York, NY to Brown & Elton in New Haven, CT, detailing the shipment of finished copper. Dated September 10, 1840. The record is part of a larger collection documenting the Hendricks family's copper business, which played a significant role in the American Industrial Revolution.

Shipping record from Hendricks & Brothers, documenting the shipment of finished copper from New York to New Haven, Connecticut on August 11, 1836. The record provides details of the port of entry and is part of a larger collection illustrating the business activities of Hendricks & Brothers, a prominent American copper manufacturing firm.

Shipping record from Hendricks & Brothers, documenting the shipment of finished copper from Providence, Rhode Island to New York, New York on July 29, 1845. The record mentions the company's connection to the Soho Copper Refinery in Soho, New Jersey, founded by Hendricks & Isaacs.

Shipping record from S. I. Isaacs & Soho Copper Co. documenting the shipment of finished copper from New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 17, 1826. The record details the port of entry and is one of two related documents. The Soho Copper Refinery, founded by Hendricks & Isaacs (brother-in-law), was a significant contributor to the early American Industrial Revolution.

A handwritten statement of account detailing the debt of Lieutenant Bristol to M. G. Rosenthal, a sutler for the 147th New York Regiment. The document, dated March 1, 1865, itemizes various provisions purchased between November 18, 1864, and January 14, 1865. The listed items include quantities of milk, apples, raisins, a bag, butter, and matches, totaling $8.55. The document is handwritten on lined paper, presenting a functional and unadorned style typical of military camp records from the period.

Book published in Philadelphia by Barclay in 1875. Purporting to be the autobiography of Anson Bunker (1818-1873), a convicted and executed serial killer, this book recounts numerous murders, including that of Benjamin Nathan, a prominent New York City Jew. While presented as a factual account, the book's accuracy is questionable; the murder of Benjamin Nathan, a significant event covered in the New York Times, remains unsolved, and no one named Anson Bunker was ever implicated. The book also describes Bunker's purported participation in the Canadian Rebellion and the American Civil War. This edition is unlisted in Singerman, not located on OCLC, and not in McDade. Wright 3337a. Other printings from the 1870s and 1880s exist, all considered rare. This book is significant for being possibly the first published in the United States to detail the murder of a Jewish person.

Trade card advertising Cohen's coveralls at $1.25. Features an image of "Honest Abe" (Abraham Lincoln) and a guarantee. Date is inferred from the overall collection context.

A circa 1885 trade card depicting a girl archer and a man in a suit, possibly referencing George Washington. The card's text is partially illegible, indicating 'GIRL ARCHER; BACK... SAYING ABOUT G. WASHINGTON..MAN IN A SUIT'. The card's mercantile nature suggests a commercial purpose, likely advertising a product or service. The card was found in New York City (40.7130465999879, -74.0072301004255).

Trade card depicting a silhouetted image of a man in a tree, with the text 'Columbus Discovering America'. The card also features the address '211 Montgomery St., Russ House' and a full advertisement on the reverse. The card is circa 1885. It is part of the Joseph Figel Collection.