Subject: Purim

This booklet, published circa 1894, provides a detailed account of the Allentown, Pennsylvania Fire Department. It features images and lists Chas. H. Cohn as both Chief of the Fire Department and Superintendent of Alarms. The booklet also includes advertisements for various businesses, notably Chas. H. Cohn (whiskey, wine, and cigars), Morris Schmidt (laundry), Harry Schall (cigars), and Schnurman & Samuels (millinery). Additional biographical information indicates Charles Cohn's participation as an Aid at the March 1886 Purim Ball in Allentown.

Dance card from the Eleventh Annual Purim Masquerade and Fancy Dress Charity Ball given by the Hebrew Benevolent Society at Germania Hall in New Haven, Connecticut on Thursday evening, March 10, 1887. The decorated cover features the event details, and the inside contains spaces for 15 dances with names. The back lists the committee members.

Dance card from the Tenth Annual Purim Masquerade and Fancy Dress Ball held by the Hebrew Benevolent Society at Germania Hall in New Hartford, Connecticut on March 18, 1886. The card features a decorated cover and lists fifteen dances with spaces for the names of dance partners. The back of the card lists committee members.

This book contains a Purim play in five acts, written by Mrs. Annie J. Moses of Sheffield, Alabama, and published in Cincinnati in 1887. The play, "Esther," is a dramatic adaptation of the biblical Book of Esther, suitable for performance during the Purim festival. The play's publication reflects the theatrical and literary activities within the Jewish community of the American South during the late 19th century. The original wrappers are present, and the book is 27 pages long, plus one additional page.

Printer's proof for the program cover of a charity ball in aid of the Mount Sinai Hospital & Dispensary, held at the Academy of Music in New York City on March 15, 1883. The program cover features the event's name and date, and is associated with the Purim Association.

Invitation to a fancy dress ball hosted by the Purim Association at the Academy of Music in New York City on March 22, 1864. The invitation specifies rules, including a prohibition on firearms and acceptance of military uniforms as costumes. This was the third ball overall and the second held at the Academy of Music.

Lithographed invitation to the Hebrew Charity Ball held at the Academy of Music in New York City on March 2, 1882. The event was managed by the Purim Association and raised funds for the Building Fund of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society. The invitation features an illustration depicting Queen Esther, children, and other figures.

Printed invitation to a Purim entertainment at the Religious School of Mikveh Israel, located at 117 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The invitation is dated March 4, 1906.

A four-page letter written circa 1830 by Sarah Ann Mordecai in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to her mother, Richea Gratz Hays, in Baltimore, Maryland. The letter discusses personal matters and mentions Purim and the Book of Esther. The letter offers insight into the lives of this prominent military family; Sarah's aunt was Rebecca Gratz.

This newspaper clipping from the March 23, 1864, edition of the New-York Times details the Purim Association's annual Grand Fancy Dress Ball. The article, approximately three-quarters of a column, describes the ball as the third in a series, with previous events held at Irving Hall (1862) and the Academy of Music. An advertisement for B. L. Solomon & Sons (formerly Solomon & Hart), furniture covering merchants at 369 Broadway, appears on the second page.

Four-page program for the Third Annual Purim Ball held at Centre Square Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania on March 22, 1886. The cover features an embossed image of Queen Esther. The interior lists the names of numerous individuals involved in the event.

The Purim Gazette, a newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland on March 22, 1875. This issue is notable for being an early example of the use of the Levytype photomechanical printing process, as noted in a small article on the last page. The front page features a caricature of a Black person labeled "Civil Rights."

Sheet music for "Purim Quadrilles as Played at the Purim Ball, Academy of Music, March 5, 1863," composed by Meyer S. Isaacs and published by William A. Pond & Co. in New York, New York in 1863. The sheet music is dedicated "to my mother" and features a cover illustration depicting a Purim celebration. This was the second annual grand fancy dress ball held by the Purim Association in New York City, and the first held at the Academy of Music.

This almanac, published by James Rivington in New York in 1774, contains a unique feature: a Hebrew calendar for the year 5535. The Hebrew calendar section includes an explanation of Purim and Hanukkah, followed by a month-by-month listing of holidays and fast days. This is considered one of the earliest Hebrew calendars printed in the Americas. The almanac also includes seven pages dedicated to John Hancock's Boston Massacre oration of March 5, 1774. The Portuguese spelling of certain Hebrew terms suggests collaboration with a Portuguese Jew in its creation. The almanac is considered rare.

Six-page sheet music for piano, "THE PURIM POLKA Composed for the Piano by Harry York [dedicated] to Miss Annie Simons." Published in 1856 in Philadelphia by S. Winner & Co. The sheet music features an elaborate cover page. This may be the only known copy.

Ticket stub and rule sheet for the Purim Association Fancy Dress Ball held on March 15, 1881. The event was a fundraiser for the Building Fund of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society in New York City. The ticket features lithographic artwork depicting Queen Esther on her throne, surrounded by children in ragged clothes, a jester offering a coin, and a masked prince and princess. The rule sheet includes a 'No Smoking' rule. This item provides insight into 19th-century Jewish community life in New York City and fundraising practices for charitable organizations.

This is an admission ticket to the Purim Ball hosted by the Mercantile Literary and Social Club at Concordia Hall in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 23, 1875. The verso of the ticket features what appear to be caricatures of club members. The ticket is not listed in Singerman.

Ticket to the Purim Association Fancy Dress Ball held at the Academy of Music in New York City on February 26, 1880. The event was a fundraiser for the Building Fund of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society. The ticket features a lithograph of Queen Esther and her court. The reverse side lists over 100 managers.