Leeser, Isaac. Autograph Letter Signed written to his uncle Zalma Rehine, in English. Autograph address panel on verso.
AUCTION 79 |
Thursday, November 15th,
2018 at 1:00 PM
The Valmadonna Trust Library: Further Selections from the Historic Collection. * Hebrew Printing in America. * Graphic & Ceremonial Art
Lot 198
(AMERICAN JUDAICA)
Leeser, Isaac. Autograph Letter Signed written to his uncle Zalma Rehine, in English. Autograph address panel on verso.
Philadelphia, : 21st November (1842)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
PRICE REALIZED $4,200
ᴥ Leeser was very close with his uncle Zalma Rehine (1757-1843), who had invited him to emigrate to America.
Rehine was sufficiently Americanized that he had been part of a Richmond militia as early as 1793. Rehine was still a member when this volunteer company, known as the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, nearly confronted the British in the 1807 Chesapeake–Leopard affair while awaiting instructions from President Thomas Jefferson.
Rehine was a founder of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, the oldest synagogue in that city. For more than a decade this congregation met in his home above his store. Leeser lived with Zalma and his wife Rachel during his initial five years in America, where he learned English, American ways, and emerged as a young American Jewish leader under the security of this relationship.