Subject: American literature -- 19th century

A printed and ink-completed form letter, signed by John S. Meehan, Librarian of the Library of Congress, acknowledging receipt of Isaac Leeser's 'The Book of Daily Prayers for Every Day in the Year According to the Custom of the German and Polish Jews,' published in 1848 by Sherman. This letter, dated July 14, 1848, may represent the first notification of an American Jewish prayer book in the Library of Congress collection.

First edition of *Gotham and the Gothamites: A Medley*, a versified satire by Samuel Benjamin Helbert Judah, directed against prominent New York citizens. Published in 1823. This copy includes the suppressed pages xxi-xxiv, which are absent in most copies. Judah was indicted for libel and imprisoned, later pardoned. This work is considered significant as an early contribution to American literature by a Jewish author. Information on similar copies sold at auction is included in the original description. Approximately 15 copies are known to exist.

One-page letter dated April 6, 1830, from David Judah in Richmond, Virginia, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Judah offers advice to Leeser regarding the publication of Leeser's book, "Instructions in the Mosaic Religion," expressing concern about its potential impact on Leeser's career and suggesting a change in publication format.

A one-page letter in German from Isidor Bush to Isaac Leeser, dated June 15, 1849. Bush discusses his withdrawal from publishing *Israel's Herald*, a short-lived Jewish weekly, in favor of Leeser's publications and inquires about collaborating on a Hebrew catalogue and acquiring German type for printing. The letter reflects the close relationship between key figures in the development of American Jewish publishing in the 19th century.

This archival item consists of a letter written by Joshua I. Cohen to Isaac Leeser on August 2, 1848, in Baltimore, Maryland. The letter discusses Cohen's personal library and includes critical commentary on the works of Grace Aguilar.

A letter written by Leo L. Demery to Isaac Leeser on July 24, 1850, from New Orleans, Louisiana. The letter concerns Demery's non-receipt of a copy of *The Occident*, a prominent 19th-century American Jewish periodical edited by Leeser.

An 8.5" x 14" letter written and signed by Mordecai Manuel Noah on October 22, 1834, in New York City. The letter is a review of the play "The Merchant of Florence," performed at the Bowery Theatre in New York City. The letter was originally folded and placed inside a leather notebook containing the handwritten manuscript of the play (also part of this collection). Noah's multifaceted career as a playwright, theater owner, critic, and newspaper owner suggests various motivations for writing this review. This item is part of a larger collection of materials related to Mordecai Manuel Noah, a prominent Jewish figure in 19th-century America, notable for his attempt to establish a Jewish homeland at Grand Island, Niagara River, named "Ararat."

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.

Two-page letter written by Robert Lyon in New York to Rev. Sabato Morais, rabbi of Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, on October 26, 1858. Lyon requests literary assistance from Morais. Lyon was a publisher of the *Asmonian* and editor of the *Mercantile Journal*.

Newspaper clipping from the *New-York Mirror*, March 28, 1835, featuring an editorial piece titled "A Day at Carthage." The clipping is from Volume F, Page 20 of the archival collection.

This newspaper clipping from the March 7, 1835, edition of the *New-York Mirror* features an article by Mordecai Manuel Noah titled "The Bashful Man." The article offers advice to parents on raising children. This is Volume XII, #36 of the periodical.

Newspaper supplement to Niles' Weekly Register, Volume IV, New Series, No. 20, published in Baltimore, Maryland on August 21, 1819. This issue contains a review of Mordecai Manuel Noah's *Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States in the Years 1813-1815*, potentially the first review of a book by a Jewish American author.

A draft of a sermon preamble in the hand of Isaac Leeser. The fragment measures 7.5" x 12" and begins, "Up to thee thou star of life, do we raise our eyes when we inquire after thy way" and ends "With this let us consider today." This document was reviewed and verified at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies of the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Arthur Kiron and Bruce Nielsen. Circa 1840.

Bound volume of The Occident and American Jewish Advocate, encompassing the complete year 1867-1868 (Volume XXV). Published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This volume notably includes an obituary for Isaac Leeser.