Subject: American literature

An 1803 Farmer's Almanac containing a short humorous anecdote about two Jews. This early American printing of a Jewish joke is described as "a nice harmless little anecdote" appearing under the heading "Poetry & Anecdotes" on the fourth full page from the end, at the bottom. The almanac's text is found within a larger volume.

This is the first edition of the first Hebrew grammar written by an American-born scholar, published in 1803. This book is significant for its contribution to the study of Hebrew language and linguistics in the United States.

This is the first edition of the first Hebrew grammar written by an American-born scholar, published in 1803. This work is notable for its innovative approach to teaching Hebrew without the use of vowel points, a significant contribution to Hebrew language pedagogy.

This book is an illustrated biography of Adah Isaacs Menken, a 19th-century actress and poet. Published in 1921, it includes a carte de visite (CDV) from 1870. The biography details Menken's life and career, highlighting her performances and writings.

This is the June 1758 issue of the Philadelphia periodical, *American Magazine and Monthly Chronicle for the British Colonies*. This issue is particularly significant for containing the first published English translation of a sermon delivered by Rabbi David Fraenckel of Berlin following the Prussian victory at Leuthen. Published by William Bradford, this marks the first Jewish publication in the Americas. The sermon, celebrating Prussian victory and the role of Jews in the Prussian state, was subsequently reprinted several times in pamphlet form in the American colonies.

This is the first edition of *Avodat Yisrael*, a prayer book in Hebrew and English, published in Baltimore in 1865. Printed by W. Polmyer, this 8vo volume contains 618 + 27 + [6] pages and features a period full tooled leather binding. Edited by Benjamin Szold, it became a standard prayer book for the American Reform movement, notably omitting references to Temple sacrifices and other elements considered objectionable by Reform Judaism. OCLC lists only three copies worldwide.

Catalogue published by Carey & Hart, located at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. The catalogue features a collection of English editions. Published in Philadelphia, April 1, 1839. The description includes biographical information about Abraham Hart (1810-1885), a prominent American publisher who co-founded the firm Carey & Hart. The firm is noted for publishing works by renowned authors such as Griswold, Longfellow, and Thackeray, including the first American publication of Thackeray's "Yellowplush Correspondence" (1838). Hart's involvement in various Jewish charitable and educational organizations in Philadelphia is also highlighted.

Chapbook titled "THE DYING JEWESS", published by Mahon Day. Publication date is estimated as January 1, 1835. Physical location: Arc.MS.56, Box 10.

This book, "Cunningham's Infidelity Portrayed," is from 1836 and bears the booksellers' tag of Samuel Hart, Sr., of Charleston, South Carolina. Samuel Hart, Sr., was president of Shearith Israel in 1846.

This book is a sacred poem in five books, chronicling the life of King David. Written by Thomas Ellwood, a Quaker and close associate of John Milton, it was published in Philadelphia by Joseph Crukshank in 1785. This work, was more popular in America than in England and was published in numerous editions throughout the 18th century.

This book contains a collection of sermons delivered by Isaac Leeser between 5598 and 5601 (1838-1841). Published by Sherman & Co. of Philadelphia, this volume represents a significant contribution to 19th-century American Jewish religious thought. The flyleaf includes advertisements for other books by Leeser, indicating a potential connection to a larger publishing project or series.

This book, "Echoes of the Universe," was authored by Rev. Henry Christmas and published by A. Hart, the successor to Carey & Hart, a prominent Philadelphia publishing house. The book's cover is of pressed cloth, featuring the initials "A H" in its design. The publication represents a significant transition in the ownership of this well-known publishing house which had been known for its publication of Jewish authors and works. A. Hart's name is displayed in gold lettering on the cover.

This is the first edition of *First Lessons in Plane Geometry*, a textbook by Francis J. Grund, published by Carter and Hendee in Boston in 1830. This book is notable for being one of the first non-religious textbooks written in America by a Jewish author. The text includes basic principles of plane geometry along with practical applications in problem-solving.

This is the first edition of *Gotham and the Gothamites: A Medley*, a satirical poem by Samuel Benjamin Helbert Judah, published in New York City in 1823 by Solomon King. The work satirizes over one hundred prominent New York citizens and, considered defamatory at the time, led to Judah and King's arrest and indictment for libel. This copy includes the suppressed pages xxi-xxiv, which are absent from most copies. Judah was later pardoned and became an attorney.

First edition of *Gotham and the Gothamites: A Medley*, a satirical work by Samuel Benjamin Helbert Judah published in New York in 1823. The book, considered libelous due to its satirical portrayal of prominent New York citizens, led to Judah's imprisonment. He was later pardoned due to poor health and subsequently became a lawyer. A similar copy sold at Swann Auction Galleries on December 4, 2003, for $1265 (Lot #313). The book was exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York's Jewish History Exhibit from May to December 2005.

Chapbook titled *Grandmamma Easy's Alderman's Feast*, published by Gray, Sprague & Co. at 51 State Street in 1853 or 1855. The chapbook contains hand-colored illustrations, one per page, with the opposite page left blank. Page 4 features a cartoon depicting a Jewish person selling lemons in the street. The content is considered anti-Semitic.

This book, compiled by Isabel Cohen, is a collection of legends and tales in prose and verse. Published by the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) around 1905, it notably includes an early poem by Emma Lazarus. A bookplate indicates its later presence in the Miriam Schonfield Memorial Library in Pittsburgh, dated April 4, 1940.

A letter from David McConkey to Dr. Isaac Israel Hayes, dated March 1, 1860, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. McConkey thanks Hayes for a copy of his book, likely "An Arctic Boat Journey," published in 1860, and mentions his service as a surgeon in the Grinnell Arctic Expedition (1853-1855).

Autograph letter from Jacob De la Motta to Isaac Leeser discussing the publicity for De la Motta's recently published book, *Instruction in the Mosaic Religion*, and expressing regret over the illness of Etting. The letter was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and sent to Charleston, South Carolina on May 27, 1830.

A one-page lithographed letter dated March 1, 1845, from Mordecai Manuel Noah to George Folsom. The letter discusses Noah's involvement in the publication of "The National Volume," a proposed anthology of works by prominent American writers. The letter includes details about the publishers, C. Wells & Co., and the intended scope and timeline of the project. The letter is postmarked New York City, March 27, 1845, and addressed to Folsom in Albany, New York. The signature and date are in Noah's hand.

This book, published by Philip J. Cozans at 116 Nassau Street in 1853-1855, contains Mother Goose rhymes, chimes, and jingles. The book includes anti-Semitic rhymes and illustrations, notably an “ugly cartoon of two Jews” on page 4 and a “nice Jew verse” accompanied by an illustration on pages 14-15.

First American edition of Narrative Poems by Isaac D'Israeli, published by J. Conrad & Co. in Philadelphia in 1803. This edition is considered more difficult to find than the contemporaneous English printing. Isaac D'Israeli (1766-1848) was a British writer, scholar, and man of letters, known for his essays and his connections to other literary figures. He was the father of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. This book was published the same year as the English printing.

This is the first periodical published west of the Rocky Mountains. Volume 1, Issue 1, published October 20, 1864, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Published by E.L.T. Harrison and E.W. Tullidge in the 20th Ward, this magazine featured articles on science, literature, and art. Notably, the first article in this issue is Benjamin Disraeli's "Miriam Alroy, A Tale of the Jewish Captive." The magazine ran for six issues and was financially supported by Salt Lake City's leading gentiles, including Col. Sam Kahn. It was printed at Fort Douglas.

This book is a second American edition (Philadelphia, 1807) of a selection of satirical poems by Peter Pindar (the pseudonym of John Wolcot). The collection includes "The Jewess and Her Son," a poem containing antisemitic content. The first American edition was published in New York in 1804.

Two-volume book, "Quarrels of Authors," first American edition, published in New York City in 1814. The book contains 284 pages in the first volume and 290 pages in the second volume. Only one copy is listed in the collection.

This book is a collection of sermons delivered by various American rabbis. Published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1896, it represents a significant body of Reform Jewish thought and preaching from the late 19th century. The sermons likely cover a range of topics relevant to Jewish life and practice in America at that time.

First edition of *South Songs*, a book of poetry dedicated to the women of Richmond and the Sisters of Mercy, written by Thomas Cooper De Leon and published by Blelock & Co. in New York City in 1866. The book contains 153 pages and measures 4.5" x 7".

Volume II of *The American Journal of the Medical Sciences*. Isaac Hays was connected with this journal for 52 years (1827-1879), first as co-editor and later as editor. Over time, it was also known as the "Hays Journal." Isaac Hays was the son of Samuel and Richea Gratz Hays. Published in 1828.

Volume 2 of a pamphlet titled "The Buccaneers: A Romance of Our Country, in its Ancient Day; with Marvelous Histories." Published in 1827 under the pseudonym "Terentius Phlogobombos." Volume 1 is missing. Authored by Samuel Benjamin H. Judah.

This volume is the first edition of a Charleston literary anthology published in 1845 by Samuel Hart. It features contributions from various local authors, including notable Jewish writers Penina Moise and Isaac Harby, alongside other prominent figures such as Washington Allston and Joel Roberts Poinsett. Moise's contributions include poems on Jewish themes, reflecting her role as superintendent of Charleston's first Jewish religious school. Harby, a reformer in Charleston Judaism, also contributed to the anthology.

This book, published by Bloch & Co. in Cincinnati in 1872, contains the daily prayers for American Israelites. It includes 271 pages of prayers, plus an additional 42 pages in the back containing English-only prayers. The book is bound and has an owner's name embossed in gold.

This is a three-part reader, likely for use in schools or families, published in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883. Authored by Henry Abarbanel, it features narratives about Jewish people throughout history. The reader includes contributions by notable figures such as Emma Lazarus and Samuel M. Isaacs.

This 27-page melo-drama, *The Evil Eye*, was written by Jonas Phillips and published in New York by E.B. Clayton in 1831. The book measures 5 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches and is bound in paper boards. Notably, this particular copy is signed by Edgar Allan Poe on the dedication page, making it a significant item for collectors of Poe's memorabilia.

This is the first US edition of Richard Cumberland's *The Jew of Mogadore: A Comic Opera, in Three Acts*. Published in New York by David Longworth at the Dramatic Repository, Shakspeare Gallery in 1808. The book is described as being in very good condition, measuring 5.5" x 3.5", and containing 56 pages. It was removed from a nonce volume but is complete. Shaw & Shoemaker's American Bibliography lists this edition as number 14808.

This volume contains ten issues of *The Occident and American Jewish Advocate*, a monthly periodical edited by Isaac Leeser. The issues included are Volume VIII, numbers 6 (Elul 5610, September 1850) and 9 (Kislev 5611, December 1850), and Volume IX, numbers 5 (Ab 5611, August 1851) and 8 (Marcheshvan 5612, November 1851), and others. The periodical focused on Jewish literature and religion.

This collection contains five issues of *The Occident*, a 19th-century American Jewish monthly magazine edited by Isaac Leeser. The issues included are June-July 1855, January 1856, February 1856, May 1867, and September 1867. Each issue is in its original wrappers.

This is the first American edition of Grace Aguilar's novel, *The Perez Family*, published in Philadelphia in 1847 by the Jewish Publication Society of America (JPSA). This copy is inscribed "to Catherine E. Moses from H. Pesoa." The novel tells the story of a Jewish family and explores themes of Jewish life and identity in the 19th century. WorldCat lists no other American editions of this work, and the Rosenbach Museum & Library only holds one copy.

This book, published in New York City in 1829 by Naphtali Judah, contains the political writings of Joel Barlow. It's bound in modern quarter red morocco and marbled boards. Pages 159 and 160 were supplied in facsimile. Naphtali Judah was one of the first Jewish book dealers and publishers in the United States.

This pamphlet contains an address delivered by Edwin De Leon before the literary societies of South Carolina College in December 1845. The address outlines De Leon's perspective on the 'Young America' movement, its social, moral, and political doctrines, and its role in shaping American society and literature. Published in Columbia, South Carolina, by A. S. Johnston.