Subject: New York City History

Billhead showing the address 302 Broadway, corner of Duane Street, New York City. The billhead includes a revenue stamp, indicating a tax was levied on the document. The date on the billhead is April 18, 1867.

Handwritten chancery court case document from New York City, dated January 26, 1799. The case involves Benjamin Seixas and John Delafield, concerning stocks and finances, specifically subscriptions to the Bank of the United States in 1791. The document includes statements from George Lewis, a deponent for Seixas, and is signed by Edward W. Laight on February 21, 1799, certifying it as a true copy. The case mentions several prominent New York City financiers of the time.

Cut glass liquor decanter bottle for Sonn Bros. Co. Buckingham Rye Whiskey. Circa 1890s. The Sonn Brothers, Hyman and Henry, were well-known New York City liquor merchants and grocers who, around the turn of the 20th century, established Sonn Bros. Company, wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Their flagship brand was Buckingham Rye, trademarked in 1906. They were rectifiers, not distillers, mixing raw whiskey and bottling it in various sizes. The company was known for its promotional giveaways to bars and restaurants that stocked their brands, including reverse glass signs, shot glasses, and back-bar bottles.

A three-page legal document (8 x 13 inches) detailing the forced public auction of a property located on Love Lane, New York City. Dated 1812-1817, the document outlines the sale by Ephraim Hart and his wife Frances to satisfy a loan defaulted on July 7, 1807, to James C. Roosevelt. The property, a country house, was formerly owned by the deceased Abraham Duryee. The document includes signatures of James C. Roosevelt, Harry Peters, Michael Burnham, Thomas Bolton, and William Slocum.

First edition of *Gotham and the Gothamites: A Medley*, a satirical work by Samuel Benjamin Helbert Judah published in New York in 1823. The book, considered libelous due to its satirical portrayal of prominent New York citizens, led to Judah's imprisonment. He was later pardoned due to poor health and subsequently became a lawyer. A similar copy sold at Swann Auction Galleries on December 4, 2003, for $1265 (Lot #313). The book was exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York's Jewish History Exhibit from May to December 2005.

Partial deck of playing cards produced by Huestis & Levy, containing 41 cards, including a joker and an eagle, but lacking indexes. The firm's brief existence (approximately 1853-1855) makes this incomplete set a rare find. Accompanying the cards is a printed advertisement from an unbound volume of "The Illustrated American Biography" (J. Milton Emerson and Co., New York, 1854-1855), measuring approximately 8"x10.5", depicting the Huestis & Levy factory/storefront at 177 & 179 Grand Street, New York. This advertisement provides context to the playing card set and the short-lived partnership of John J. Levy and Huestis. John J. Levy was the nephew of Lewis I. Cohen, a founder of one of the early American card-making families. After leaving his uncle's employ, Levy partnered with Huestis. In 1854, Lewis I. Cohen retired, and his son and nephew formed Lawrence and Cohen. On December 5th, 1871, Lawrence and Cohen, along with Samuel Hart and Isaac Levy, formed the New York Consolidated Card Company.

Manuscript copy of the inscription on the 1728 tombstone of Moses Levy, one of the earliest Jewish settlers in New York City. The manuscript, created circa 1860-1870, replicates the original inscription's lettering and form. The copy is a beautifully executed work, suggesting a learned creator.

A beautifully executed manuscript copy (ca. 1860-1870) of the inscription on the 1719 tombstone of Samuel Zanwill (Samuel Levy), one of the earliest Jewish settlers in New York City. According to Rabbi David de Sola Pool's "Portraits Etched in Stone," the inscription is actually from the tombstone of Samuel Levy, and Zanwill was his familiar Jewish name. Levy was a President of the Synagogue and a Constable of the City. This manuscript is accompanied by a companion manuscript of his brother Moses Levy's tombstone. The creator and purpose of these manuscripts remain unknown.

A one-page, torn folio document certifying that a mortgage from Joshua Levy, dated 1781, is paid in full. Manuel Myers certifies this on behalf of John Marston. The document requests that a record of this payment be made in the Clerk's Office of the City and County of New York. It is signed by Manuel Myers and witnessed by James Smith, who also notes that the certification took place in the presence of Richard Varick, Mayor of New York. Varick's signature is present at the bottom. New York, September 15, 1791.

A port of entry document from Hendricks & Brothers, indicating a shipment of finished copper to New Orleans, Louisiana. This document is one of three related items and provides insight into the operations of Hendricks & Brothers, a prominent American copper manufacturing firm founded by Harmon Hendricks and his brother-in-law, Solomon Isaacs, in Soho, New Jersey, in 1812. The document highlights the company's role in supplying copper for various uses, including shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy and steamboats. The Hendricks family, originating in Amsterdam, played a crucial role in the development of American industry and maintained a long-standing tradition of Jewish communal involvement in New York City. The document's date is inferred to be between 1812-1838 based on the operational years of Hendricks & Brothers.

Receipt documenting the sale of 1743.84 gallons of whiskey by Jacob Cram to A. L. Gomez for $549.31 on May 27, 1825 in New York City. The receipt details the price per gallon as 31.5 cents. The document measures 7.75" x 7".

Book - The Schoolmaster's Assistant, printed in New York City in 1796 for Naphtali Judah and B. Gomez. Printed by Mott & Lyon. This copy includes a full-page advertisement for Gomez & Judah. Benjamin Gomez (1769-1828) was a prominent Jewish bookseller and publisher, considered the earliest in the USA. He published over 20 titles, including works of Jewish interest and general works such as editions of Pilgrim's Progress and Cook's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. He was also involved in other businesses, including lottery tickets, groceries and tobacco, later becoming treasurer and president of Shearith Israel synagogue in New York City.

Amber paneled whiskey bottle molded with the name I. Goldberg and five different street addresses in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Borough Park, New York City. The bottle likely dates to circa 1880, based on the donor's assessment.