Subject: Early works to 1800

First edition of the first Hebrew grammar printed in the New World. Published in 1676, this book, written by Martin del Castillo, presents a Hebrew grammar in both Hebrew and Spanish. The Hebrew words are pointed and followed by Spanish transliterations. Del Castillo, possibly a Marrano, was born in Burgos and studied Hebrew under the converso Rabbi Moyses (D. Francisco del Hoyo) in Mexico City. Due to the lack of printing facilities in Mexico capable of handling Hebrew type, the book was printed in Europe. The book is divided into five parts covering pronunciation, names and declensions, verbs, irregular verbs, and sentence structure. The book is considered extremely rare.

This volume contains four bound works printed by Christopher Sower (Sauer) in Germantown, Pennsylvania, circa 1759-1760. The works include: "The Way to the Sabbath of Rest," "The Journeys of the Children of Israel," "Discourse on Mistakes concerning Religion, Enthusiasm, Experiences," and "Observations on the Enslaving, Importing and Purchasing of Negroes." This collection is notable for its association with the Sower printing family and for containing an early anti-slavery treatise. This volume was owned by four generations of the Franks family, prominent Jewish individuals in New York and Philadelphia.

This manuscript, composed by Daniel de Medina, likely copied in the early 19th century from a 1740 original, examines maritime commerce between Spain and its American colonies. It details methods for protecting trade from pirates, the slave trade via foreign entrepreneurs, trade between the American colonies and the Philippines, competition with England and Holland, and strategies to maintain Spain's trade monopoly. Medina, as suggested by the text, was likely a member of the Creole-Spanish elite in Cuba. The manuscript consists of 17 leaves and measures 19.5 cm. It is in very good condition, showing minor stains and its original leather binding.