2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
He wrote editorials at one time for the N.Y. TIMES as well as Jewish periodicals and became one of the leading humorists of the age. Most of his lectures dealt with the reform of Jewish worship and the need for scientific and artistic training among Jews. He was strong on Jewish nationalism and the restoration of the Jews, presumably to Palestine...which rubbed many sensibilities raw. Here are two boldly penned letters entirely in his hand; each with large signature "deCordova." Both written to Rabbi Sabato Morais in Philadelphia (Letter No. 1) from N.Y. July 6, 1860. Two full pages (each blank on reverse) mentioning his letter of introduction from their mutual friend Rabbi Dr. Fischell of NY, asking for his assistance: "I have been requested by many friends to change the plan of my annual course of public lectures at Chilton Hall this year and INSTEAD OF GIVING THREE HUMOROUS PAPERS to let one be on a serious subject…have selected for serious lecture a consideration of THE PRESENT CONDITION OF JEWS IN CIVILISED COUNTRIES and I have… been engaged in gathering all possible information regarding the social and political status of our people in various countries in Europe. Dr. F. has assisted me in regard to condition of the Jews in Holland…how fortunate I esteem myself in having…been favored with his valuable aid. Of course, the conditions of Jews in Italy, always an interesting branch of this subject, and never more so then at the present moment, must form an important topic in my lecture and Dr. F. informs me that no one is better qualified then you are [Morais was born and raised in Italy] to afford the fullest and most reliable information…I pray you excuse me in consideration of the general interest which the facts…are likely to excite. …I [also] ask you to give me in French, Italian or English as may be most convenient…any information which may occur to you bearing on the question…together with answers to such questions as it may be in your power to reply to…" Exc. (Letter No. 2 from N.Y. August 3, 1860) single page (blank reverse) acknowledging Morais' "…notes on the condition of the Jews in Italy duly received" apologizing for his delay in writing due to many engagements: "…have received much valued statistical and general information on the subject from various sources…but that what you have given are the fullest, most complete and comprehensive and most satisfactory that I have yet been favored with…tomorrow I will lecture on the MASSACRE IN SYRIA and the changes which have come over Jewish feeling since the 15'th century. How few Jews would at that day have felt sympathy with Christian suffering…and how general and sincere is that feeling among Jews now. I think this question deserves to be brought more to Jewish then to Christian notice…" Exc. Accompanied by important, lengthy bio-sketch of DeCordova from "The Rise of the Jewish Community of New York 1654-1860" (Grinstein, 1945). DeCordova was, in effect, a very early ardent Zionist and was completely unappreciated by various Jewish journals and periodicals as well as rejected by members of his own synagogue Emanu-El
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