Freymuethige Gedanken eines Helvetischen Buergers, ueber die Frage: Soll man die Jude, die seit 20 Jahren in Helvetien Wohnen, als Helvetische Buergter Anerkennen, oder kann man sie Ausschliessen?

AUCTION 51 | Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Graphic & Ceremonial Art Including: The Alfonso Cassuto Collection of Iberian Books, Part II

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Lot 283
(SWITZERLAND)

Freymuethige Gedanken eines Helvetischen Buergers, ueber die Frage: Soll man die Jude, die seit 20 Jahren in Helvetien Wohnen, als Helvetische Buergter Anerkennen, oder kann man sie Ausschliessen?

FIRST EDITION. Graphic on title with motto: "Freiheit. Gleichheit" (Freedom - Equality) pp. 8. Foxed. Unbound. 12mo

(Switzerland): n.p. (1798)

Est: $3,000 - $4,000
PRICE REALIZED $6,000
Title: “Frank Thoughts of a Swiss Citizen Concerning the Question: Should we Recognize Jews who have Resided in Switzerland for 20 Years as Citizens, or should we Exclude Them?” In the Great Council of Helvetia (1798-99) whereby the Helvetian Republic came into being, liberals such as Escher, Suter, Zimmermann, Herzog and Secretan advocated equal rights for the Jews. The anonymous author of the present tract argues that Jews should indeed be granted citizenship, pointing out in the process, the nobility and divine origin of Judaism. It was only after a bitter struggle that the civil enfranchisement of Swiss Jewry was accomplished. The French Revolution was highly instrumental in this respect. See JE, Vol. XI, p. 611; EJ, Vol. XV, cols. 555-6. Exceptionally rare. No copies recorded in WorldCat