Lot 194
"The Claims of the Jews to an Equality of Rights", by Isaac Leeser – Philadelphia, 1841
The Claims of the Jews to an Equality of Rights, Illustrated in a Series of Letters to the Editor of the Philadelphia Gazette, by Isaac Leeser. Philadelphia: printed by C. Sherman & co., 5601 [1841]. English.
A compilation of six letters sent by Isaac Leeser to the editor of the Philadelphia Gazette, starting December 1839. The letters deal mostly with defending the Jewish religion and claiming equality of rights to the Jews. Alongside the letters, the book contains passages from the article "State and Prospects of the Jews", an article against Judaism that was published in issue no. 125 of The London Quarterly Review. This article as well as other publications in the press motivated Leeser to write the series of letters to the Philadelphia Gazette.
Isaac leeser (1806-1868) a Jewish-American leader, scholar, literary editor and translator. Leeser was born in Germany, emigrated in his youth to the USA and settled in Philadelphia. He was active in establishing Jewish institutions and in inculcating Jewish religion and history. He was a cantor at the "Mikveh Yisrael" community and one of its leaders. Leeser translated religious books into English and authored many essays and sermons.
99 pp, 22.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (mostly on the first and last leaves). Minor blemishes. Elegant new binding, with a leather spine (new endpapers).
