Subject: Drama

First edition of *Ben Israel; or, From Under the Curse: A Jewish Play in Five Acts*, by Edward Tullidge. This is the first known play written by a Gentile in America and dedicated to American Jews. Published in 1875.

A pamphlet titled "Deborah; or, The Jewish Maiden's Wrong!" authored by Charles Smith Cheltham and published by Samuel French & Son at 38 East 14th Street. The pamphlet's publication date is circa 1864.

This pamphlet contains the English and Italian texts of "Deborah," a drama in four acts. Adapted expressly for Madame Ristori and her Italian Dramatic Company under the management of J. Grau, the Italian translation is by Sig. Gaetano Cerri. Published in New York in 1866.

This book contains the text of *Hadad: A Dramatic Poem*, a play written by James Abraham Hillhouse. The play is based on the court of King David and is considered possibly the first American play published with a Jewish theme. Published circa 1825.

Issue of the *Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser* newspaper published in Boston, Massachusetts on March 14, 1796. This issue contains an advertisement for a showing of the play "The Jew" by Richard Cumberland.

An invitation to a dramatic episode titled "Esther, the Queen," produced by the Mickve Israel Literary Association. The event was to be held at the Hall of the Columbia Club, 1405 Oxford Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 18, 1908. The invitation includes ticket number 533.

This is a first edition copy of Gotthard Deutsch's play, *Israel Bruna*, published by R.G. Badger in Boston in 1908. The play is a five-act tragedy based on the life of a 15th-century Jew, Israel Bruna ben Hayyim, from Brunn (Brno), Czech Republic. This particular copy is notable for its provenance: it was inscribed by the author to Kaufman Kohler in September 1908, and later owned by Solomon B. Freehof. The bookplate of Leonard Levy is also present.

A two-page handwritten letter dated October 28, 1946, from Albert Flingcbbavn? to Erwin Piscator. Flingcbbavn? requests acceptance to Piscator's school of drama at the New School for Social Research. The letter mentions Piscator's career beginning in Palestine and his directorship of the school's theater.

A two-page handwritten letter dated October 28, 1946, from Albert Flingcbbavn? to Erwin Piscator. The letter concerns acceptance to Piscator's school of drama at the New School for Social Research. Piscator is identified as a noted director and director of the school's theater. The letter mentions Piscator's career beginning in Palestine.

This is a first edition of a play, published in 1860 by Bloch Israelite Office in Cincinnati, Ohio, that dramatizes the infamous Mortara Affair. The Mortara Affair involved the abduction of a six-year-old Jewish boy, Edgardo Mortara, by Papal authorities in 1858 because he had been secretly baptized as a Catholic infant. The play explores the religious and political ramifications of this event, which sparked international outrage and protests. The bookplate of the Hamilton Hebrew Sabbath School is present in this copy.

A pamphlet containing the text of Thomas Dibdin's farce, "The Jew and the Doctor." Published in Philadelphia by T.H. Palmer in 1823. The pamphlet is in 12mo format and its binding is lacking. According to American Imprints 12371, only one copy is known to exist. Dibdin's 1798 English farce was part of a trend toward more sympathetic portrayals of Jewish protagonists at the turn of the 18th century.

This is the first American edition of August von Kotzebue's play, Pizarro, published in 1799 by Naphthali Judah at 47 Water Street, New York. This edition is notable for its rarity; only one other incomplete copy was known to exist at the time of the description, located in a New York City library. The book includes a list of five other works published by Judah. This copy is bound in full leather and is in good condition.

Playbill advertising the performance of "The Jew" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, England on June 13, 1797. This playbill is a single sheet and is printed in English. The play was also performed in the USA in 1795.

Program for a performance of "The Dybbuk" by the Moscow Habima Theatre, presented during its first and only American engagement in 1926. Includes a testimonial by Maxim Gorky on Habima and a review from the New York Times. The program was likely printed in New York City.

A play titled "Sabbatai Zevi: A Tragedy in Three Acts," published by the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) in Philadelphia, PA, in 1930. The play is signed by Rabbi Solomon Freehof, a renowned religious leader from Pittsburgh.

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 a first edition, presentation copy of *The Italian Bride*, a play in five acts written by Samuel Yates Levy for the actress Eliza Logan. Published by John M. Cooper & Co. in Savannah in 1856, this uncommon work was published for private distribution. The copy is inscribed by the author to Alfred J. J. Blois. Samuel Yates Levy (1827-1888) was a Jewish author who later served as a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. Eliza Logan (daughter of Cornelius Logan, a comic actor and playwright) was a popular actress in the antebellum South.

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.

Pamphlet of Richard Cumberland's play, "The Jew, or, Benevolent Hebrew," printed by T. M'Donnel in Dublin in 1794. This comedy, first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in London in May 1794, is notable for portraying a Jewish character as the hero, a departure from the typical negative portrayals of Jews in earlier dramatic works. The play enjoyed considerable success in Ireland and North America, where it was performed under the revised title "The Benevolent Hebrew." The pamphlet's description highlights the play's mirroring of Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice* but with a focus on the protagonist's charitable nature.

First edition of Richard Cumberland's play, *The Jew: A Comedy*, printed in London by C. Dilly in 1794. This play, performed at the Theatre-Royal, Drury-Lane, presents a sympathetic portrayal of Sheva, a wealthy Jewish usurer, challenging conventional antisemitic stereotypes prevalent in English theatre. The play's success and positive reception, including praise in *The Analytical Review*, marked a shift in the representation of Jews on the English stage. This copy is described as having some minor soiling and toning but is otherwise in good condition.

Pamphlet containing two plays: "The Jew," a comedy in five acts by Richard Cumberland, and "Lionel and Clarissa." Both plays feature illustrated title pages. "The Jew" was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in London in May 1794 and is significant for its portrayal of a Jewish moneylender as the protagonist. Published circa 1810.

Pamphlet of Richard Cumberland's play, *The Jew: A Comedy*, first performed in England in 1794. This is the first American edition, published circa 1795. The play is notable for its sympathetic portrayal of Sheva, a wealthy Jewish moneylender, as the hero, a rarity in English theatre at the time. The play's success in Great Britain, America, Germany, and Paris is discussed, along with Cumberland's later disappointment at the lack of financial gratitude from the Jewish community. The pamphlet also touches on the play's popularity and its relationship to Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice*.

Pamphlet of a play, *The Jewess*, by W.T. Moncrieff. Published in New York by O. Phelan, circa 1840. The pamphlet is described as an "Acting Copy" with stage directions, indicating it was intended for theatrical use. The play was performed in London and New York theatres.

A four-page pamphlet excerpt from *The Political Magazine*, dated August 1, 1786. The pamphlet features a significant article by Richard Cumberland, author of the play *The Jew*, discussing the poor treatment of Jews in other countries, and including quotes from his play. It also includes a letter by Abraham Abraham and a two-page article by Benjamin Franklin on "The Interest & Policy of North America." *The Jew*, a comedy first performed in London in May 1794, is notable for its portrayal of a Jewish moneylender as the hero.