Auction 80
Fine Judaica: * A Singular Collection of Important Hebrew Manuscripts. * Printed Books: Exceptional Offering from Two Notable Collections. * The Yosef Goldman Collection of American-Judaica.
By Kestenbaum & Company
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Mar 28, 2019
242 West 30th Street, 12th Floor, New York NY 10001, United States
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LOT 122:
(AMERICAN JUDAICA)
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Sold for: $1,300
Estimated price :
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1,500 - $2,000
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sales tax: 8.875%
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(AMERICAN JUDAICA)
Gratz, Rebecca (1781-1869). Autograph Letter Signed written to her sister Rachel Gratz, in English.
Remarkably intimate letter to Gratz’s sister Rachel, from “Becky” as she here calls herself. Rebecca discusses their mutual friends, siblings, social activity, and repeatedly professes her affection for Rachel and her children. In one tender passage she compares one of her younger sisters to another who had died, she is like "my adored, ever regretted Angel Isabella."
Three pages, autograph address panel on verso. Few tears at folds, stained. Tall 4to. Accompanied by typed transcription.
n.p: December 18-19 1800
This letter is a fine look into the social life of Rebecca Gratz and the close relationship with her sister Rachel (1783-1823). Indeed after Rachel died, Rebecca took her sister’s six children into her home and raised them herself. Deeply involved in Jewish education and other charitable good works, Rebecca was also highly sociable, and friends with such American literati as Washington Irving. An educated woman who always sought to enrich her own Jewish learning, Rebecca remained a proud and devout Jew amidst a very Christian environment, who never failed to defend her religious beliefs among Gentile friends. Rebecca founded the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1819 to service Jewish woman and children in need, who heretofore, had to rely on the charity of Christians intent on evangelizing their Hebrew brethren in need.
