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Subject: Jewish American Life

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Alarm Clock by A. Cohen, Jeweler, York, PennsylvaniaAlarm Clock by A. Cohen, Jeweler, York, Pennsylvania

An alarm clock manufactured by W.M. Gilbert with the inscription "A. Cohen Jeweler York, PA" on the face. The clock has two peg legs and is marked with a patent date of 1898 on the back. The clock is part of the Judaica Americana Collection at the University of Pennsylvania.

Autograph Letter Signed from Rebecca Gratz to Rachel Gratz, December 18-19, 1800Autograph Letter Signed from Rebecca Gratz to Rachel Gratz, December 18-19, 1800

Autograph letter signed by Rebecca Gratz to her sister Rachel Gratz, written in English on December 18-19, 1800. The letter discusses mutual friends, family, social activities, and expresses affection for Rachel and her children. It contains a tender passage comparing a younger sister to a deceased sister, Isabella. The three-page letter includes an autograph address panel on the verso. Accompanied by a typed transcription.

Carte-de-Visite Portrait of Raphael J. De CordovaCarte-de-Visite Portrait of Raphael J. De Cordova

Carte-de-visite (CDV) portrait photograph of Raphael J. De Cordova, a lecturer and humorist. The photograph is undated, but is likely from the mid-to-late 19th century given the CDV format and De Cordova's biography. It was taken by Warren's Portraits in Boston, Massachusetts.

Carte-de-Visite Portrait of Scott Barger, Nelson County, KentuckyCarte-de-Visite Portrait of Scott Barger, Nelson County, Kentucky

Carte-de-visite (CDV) portrait photograph of Scott Barger of Nelson County, Kentucky. Taken at the studio of E. Klauber, located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Third Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. The verso features a full advertisement. The photograph is dated circa 1870. Additional information on the verso notes that E. Klauber arrived in Louisville in 1853 and was buried in Temple Cemetery. A memorial from Congregation Adath Israel mentions Klauber served as a trustee for over five decades, circa 1885.

Collection of Decorated Greeting CardsCollection of Decorated Greeting Cards

A collection of 27 multicolored greeting cards, used to decorate Jewish New Year cards. The cards depict various religious festival scenes, life cycle events, patriotic themes, immigrant scenes, and figures holding Jewish flags. This lot contains 7 cards. The cards date from around 1900.

Extracts of Letters from Aaron Hart to His Son Ezekiel, 1793-1794Extracts of Letters from Aaron Hart to His Son Ezekiel, 1793-1794

Extracts of letters written by Aaron Hart to his son, Ezekiel Hart, between September 13, 1793, and January 17, 1794. The letters discuss family matters, including Ezekiel's impending marriage. One notable entry mentions the author's desire for Ezekiel to return home with a wife. These extracts are part of a larger archive (56 documents) relating to the division of Aaron Hart's estate after his death on December 28, 1800, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The documents were discovered among the papers of Judge James Reid (1769-1848), the Hart family's lawyer. This specific item is categorized as one of approximately 28 papers written after Aaron Hart's death, mostly of a legal nature.

Greeting Card from Edith and Sidney Murray to George MurrayGreeting Card from Edith and Sidney Murray to George Murray

A simple printed greeting card with a Hebrew and English inscription on the front, reading "From loving sister & Simpson." The back contains a handwritten note: "Good Yontov & well over the fast." The card dates from approximately 1900. The geographic location is inferred to be near 39.3987031560001, -99.4146191899999.

Handwritten Letter from H. A. Henry to Isaac Leeser, San Francisco, June 20, 1865Handwritten Letter from H. A. Henry to Isaac Leeser, San Francisco, June 20, 1865

A three-page handwritten letter from H. A. Henry in San Francisco to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, dated June 20, 1865. Written in English with some Hebrew words, the letter discusses book orders, settling accounts, the impact of Civil War food prices and high taxes on Henry's income, and current events in San Francisco, including the progress of Orthodox German Jews who separated from the Reform movement and the dwindling attendance at Reform Friday evening services. The letter also mentions Mr. Koshland of San Francisco, a Mr. Myers, and Rev. Mr. Isaac of New York. A few lines of text are missing.

Letter from "R.P." to Mathilda Samuel Cohen, Fort Hamilton, New York, circa 1848Letter from "R.P." to Mathilda Samuel Cohen, Fort Hamilton, New York, circa 1848

This four-page letter, written circa 1848, is addressed to Mathilda Samuel Cohen in Fort Hamilton, New York, from "R.P." in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Undated, but stylistically similar to other letters in the collection addressed to Mrs. Henry Cohen from various relatives. The letter contains detailed family information. This archive provides insight into the daily life of a prominent Philadelphia Jewish family. The letter is part of an archive of six letters written to Mrs. Henry Cohen; it is of particular interest as the University of Pennsylvania holds the Cohen family archives, but is absent the early personal letters as found in this collection. Interestingly there is no mention of the Mexican-American War. Henry Cohen arrived in Philadelphia from London in 1843 and established a successful envelope manufacturing business. He married Mathilda Samuel (of the prominent Samuel family of Liverpool) in 1844. The Cohens maintained close ties with prominent London Jewish families, including the Aguilars. Both were leaders in the Philadelphia Jewish community.

Letter from "R.P." to Matilda Cohen, June 2, 1848Letter from "R.P." to Matilda Cohen, June 2, 1848

Four-page letter from "R.P." in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Matilda Samuel Cohen in Fort Hamilton, New York, dated June 2, 1848. The letter contains detailed family information and is one of six letters in an archive providing insight into the daily life of a prominent Philadelphia Jewish family.

Letter from Charles Tobias to Henry Tobias, Liverpool, England, February 12, 1839Letter from Charles Tobias to Henry Tobias, Liverpool, England, February 12, 1839

A four and a half page letter written by Charles Tobias in Liverpool, England, on February 12, 1839, to his brother Henry Tobias in New York City. The letter details business matters, family news, and plans for Charles's impending trip to America. The letter mentions the recovery of merchandise from a shipwreck, family disputes involving their uncle Asher Levy, and Henry's upcoming marriage to Rosalie Hendricks.

Letter from David Judah to Isaac Leeser, May 5, 1830Letter from David Judah to Isaac Leeser, May 5, 1830

A 1 ¼ page letter written by David Judah in Richmond, Virginia, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 1830. Judah offers advice to Leeser, who recently assumed his position at Mikveh Israel, cautioning him against overly critical behavior. The letter also includes local news, mentioning the closure of Leeser's uncle's store and the success of Sam Etting. Further correspondence between the two men is noted from 1826-1831 and 1848-1849, with a significant gap in between. David Judah is identified as a leading member of the Richmond Synagogue and a merchant, and also as an auctioneer who dealt in slaves.

Letter from Lucius Levy Solomons to T. I. Tobias & Co., Albany, New York, July 11, 1825Letter from Lucius Levy Solomons to T. I. Tobias & Co., Albany, New York, July 11, 1825

A one-page stampless letter, approximately 7-1/2" x 9-1/2", dated July 11, 1825, written by Lucius Levy Solomons in Albany, New York, to T. I. Tobias & Co. in New York City. Solomons, writing on behalf of his father, Levy Solomons, returns a note from Mr. Gilfert, explaining an unsuccessful attempt to collect payment and declining further involvement in the matter. The letter includes an "ALBANY" cds and a manuscript "12-1/2" rate.

Letter from M. Isaacson to T. I. Tobias, July 29, 1834Letter from M. Isaacson to T. I. Tobias, July 29, 1834

A letter dated July 29, 1834, from M. Isaacson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to T. I. Tobias in New York, New York. Isaacson discusses closing his fur business and seeking new employment as a fur manufacturer, merchant, clerk, bookkeeper, or salesman. He mentions a Cohen in Philadelphia, offering insight into a Jewish self-help network.

Letter from Mayer Sulzberger to Emanuel Furth, July 2, 1880Letter from Mayer Sulzberger to Emanuel Furth, July 2, 1880

Letter written by Mayer Sulzberger to Emanuel Furth on July 2, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter concerns Sulzberger's upcoming European trip and his involvement with the Board of Delegates of American Israelites. The letter is addressed to Furth at the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) in Philadelphia.

Letter from Rebecca and Sally Moses to Sarah Ann Minis Hays, June 17, 1829Letter from Rebecca and Sally Moses to Sarah Ann Minis Hays, June 17, 1829

Four-page letter written on June 17, 1829, by Rebecca (1778-1864) and Sally Moses (1787-1859) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Sarah Ann Minis Hays in Savannah, Georgia. The letter discusses personal matters and expresses regret that Sarah will not be joining them in Philadelphia for the summer. Provides insight into the lives of this prominent Northern Jewish family and their Southern relatives.

Letter from Richea Gratz Hays to Sarah Ann Hays, September 13, 1835Letter from Richea Gratz Hays to Sarah Ann Hays, September 13, 1835

A four-page stampless letter written by Richea Gratz Hays in Philadelphia on September 13, 1835, to her daughter Sarah Ann Hays in Lexington, Kentucky. The letter includes additional correspondence from Sally Minis Hays. The letter discusses family news, health updates, social events, and upcoming holidays.

Letter from S. Meylert to Augustus Mailert, Harrisburg and Richmond, 1848 January 14Letter from S. Meylert to Augustus Mailert, Harrisburg and Richmond, 1848 January 14

A four-page letter (8 x 10 inches) written by S. Meylert of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to his nephew, Augustus Mailert, in Richmond, Virginia, on January 14, 1848. The letter details Meylert's success in farming, his land and livestock holdings, and investment opportunities, advising his nephew to consider similar ventures. It also includes comments on their Jewish heritage and expresses Meylert's desire to see his nephew again before his death.

Letter from Solomon Cohen Jr. to Sarah Ann Minis Hays, January 13, 1834Letter from Solomon Cohen Jr. to Sarah Ann Minis Hays, January 13, 1834

Three-page letter written by Solomon Cohen Jr. to his niece, Sarah Ann Minis Hays, on January 13, 1834. The letter was written from Georgetown, South Carolina, and discusses family matters, including Sarah's engagement, and mentions Rebecca Gratz. The letter reflects a close and personal relationship between the writer and recipient.

Letter from Solomon Moses to Harman Hendricks, November 24, 1829Letter from Solomon Moses to Harman Hendricks, November 24, 1829

Letter from Solomon Moses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Harman Hendricks in New York, New York, dated November 24, 1829. The letter discusses copper and business matters. Solomon Moses was involved in Jewish affairs and married to Rachel Gratz (Rebecca Gratz's sister). He trained in his father Isaac Moses' counting house in New York City.

Silver Crumber Presented to Julia Tandler from Congregation Emanu-El, 1862Silver Crumber Presented to Julia Tandler from Congregation Emanu-El, 1862

Coin silver crumber engraved "Congregation Emanu-El to Julia Tandler," presented as a wedding gift on October 13, 1862. The crumber, hallmarked "Braverman & Levy" of San Francisco, California, measures 11 1/8" long and features an engraved sea scene. Abraham Tandler, Julia's likely father, was on the first committee to study the reform of Congregation Emanu-El services in July 1860 and served as a trustee. He was also one of the incorporators of Adas Israel in Louisville, Kentucky in 1842. This is one of four silver pieces given by the Congregation at the wedding. Julia Tandler's birthdate is listed as April 3, 1841 in Louisville, Kentucky, and she married Joseph Block on October 13, 1862.