Autograph Letter Signed. Congratulations conveyed to Michael Gratz from his brother Barnard Gratz, his wife Miriam Gratz, and their daughter Rebecca Gratz, on the birth of Michael and Miriam’s son, Benjamin
AUCTION 33 |
Tuesday, June 20th,
2006 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Including Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, & Autograph Letters
Lot 156
(AMERICAN JUDAICA)
Autograph Letter Signed. Congratulations conveyed to Michael Gratz from his brother Barnard Gratz, his wife Miriam Gratz, and their daughter Rebecca Gratz, on the birth of Michael and Miriam’s son, Benjamin
Philadelphia: October 3rd 1792
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
MICHAEL GRATZ'S WIFE, BROTHER AND DAUGHTER REBECCA, INFORM, AND SHARE DETAILS OF, THE BIRTH AND BRITH-MILAH OF A SON
Evidently Michael Gratz had been absent from home for some time and here, his brother Barnard informs Michael of the birth of a son to Michael's wife, Miriam. Additionally, Barnard himself had just celebrated the birth of a daughter on Rosh Hashana, news he also conveys here.
A second letter cojoined with the first is from Michael Gratz's wife, Miriam, who assures her husband (who had been travelling for four months) that she had "kept all the Mitzwoth in our own family,” and here provides details of the boy's Brith (circumcision) ceremony, however regrets that the letter her husband sent with instructions what to name the child arrived after the Brith had already taken place.
Michael Gratz's daughter Rebecca provides a third letter, in which she offers her congratulations to her father on the increase in the family. She describes the month-old baby. “He looks about him and takes a good deal of notice, already.” The letter is signed: "R"(ebecca)