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Rare Judaica Collectibles Spanning Three Centuries – 1600’s, 1700’s, & 1800’s…
June 27, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Although we rarely use this forum to highlight items being offered for sale – especially when posted as auction items, however all three authentic publications are rather unique and highly desirable:
1670 – The Jews Are Banished From Vienna (Austria)
1778 – A Rare Print from the inside of the Synagogue at Amsterdam showing the celebration of Rosh Hashanah – “The Sounding of the Ram’s Horn” (note: we’d love to know which synagogue is shown)
From their ongoing quest to be accepted, to full acceptance demonstrated through their response to tragedy, with a rare, intimate, and illustrated look at one of their holy days sandwiched in-between, this set of issues certainly provides a broad-brush perspective of a people whose mark on history far surpasses their size. While the links above will expire once the auctions have ended, the links below will remain active indefinitely. Enjoy.
- The Jews are banished from Vienna (Austria)… THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 28, 1670
- A significant & rare Judaica print… Synagogue at Amsterdam… THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1778
- Congregation Shearith Israel mourns… Lincoln’s funeral… NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 21, 1865
The Haggadah (during Passover) – 1st mention in a New York Times…
May 24, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
I know I’ve said it before, but I absolutely love this hobby. Today, thinking about the Damascus Blood Libel from back in the 184o, which prompted The London Times to print the details of the Jewish practice during The Passover Celebration – The Haggadah, they printed the details of the ritual (event/meal). This caused us to wonder if any other publication printed similar details. We were astounded to learn that the first time The Haggadah was mentioned in the New York Times did not occur until nearly 40 years later. The full details of this report (which includes details regarding addition Jewish celebrations (and special days) may be viewed at: NY Times – Jewish Festivals
If a reader knows of another nationally distributed newspaper which included similar details, please let us know.
Does anyone know… re: Sabbatai…
April 20, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · 2 Comments
Whereas we have many original newspapers containing Judaica-themed content, finding issues with mentions of Sabbatai are quite rare. If you’ve never heard of Sabbatai Zevi, the infamous 17th century, self-proclaimed, long awaited Jewish Messiah who converted to Islam, he’s certainly worth exploring. We recently came across a report in an Oxford Gazette (issue #8) from 1665 which we believe may very well be his first mention in a bonafide newspaper (see below). The problem with “firsts” is that a first is only a first as long as a newly unearthed earlier first doesn’t relegate the older first to a second. 🙂
Has anyone ever viewed or heard of an earlier mention of him in a newspaper?
Put your money where your mouth is… The Jewish Sabbath…
March 23, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
While one of our Rare & Early Newspapers‘ staff was researching a client request she noticed an interesting Judaic-themed article on the front page of a National Intelligencer dated June 14, 1842 which proves saying: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”. I wonder if the ruling by this mid-1800’s judge has an implications for today. The same issue also had Dorr Rebellion content which led us to brush up on our mid-1800’s history. Such is the pleasure of the rare newspapers collectible. Please enjoy.
The Traveler… Rabbi Gershom Seixas… 1st native-born American rabbi…
July 4, 2016 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled back to New York City by the means of the New York Evening Post dated July 2, 1816. Under the “Died” column is “Departed this life, at 9 o’clock this morning, the Rev. Mr. GERSHOM SEIXAS, the venerable Pastor of the Hebrew congregation, in the 71st year of his age…”.
Mr. Seixas was the first Native-born American rabbi. He also delivered the first Thanksgiving address in an American synagogue after the adoption of the United States Constitution. He was one of the fourteen ministers to participate in George Washington’s first inauguration.
At the merger of the 200th anniversary of his death and the 240th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence it is fitting to consider how quickly the Jewish population became acclimated and accepted in the United States. While not without considerable bumps in the road, George Washington’s outspoken support for Jewish citizens was certainly a good beginning.
Question: Washington’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RI received a response from Rabbi Moses Seixas. If anyone can confirm whether or not Moses and Gershom were related, please contact Guy at guy@rarenewspapers.com.
~The Traveler