(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

AUCTION 55 | Thursday, June 21st, 2012 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

Back to Catalogue Download Catalogue

Lot 15

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Barbados: Form of Prayer by the Jewish congregation as Fast-Day on Wednesday 29th Adar, 5603, or 1st March, 1843, the day specially appointed by Proclamation for General Humiliation and Thanksgiving to the Almighty, for His Bountiful Protection on 8 February, when the Earthquake, which so slightly visited this Island, did such awful damage at Guadeloupe, Antigua and the Neighbouring Islands. pp. (6). Original printed wrappers bound into later 3/4 morocco over marbled boards; slip-case. 8vo.

n.p: (1843)

Est: $8,000 - $10,000
PRICE REALIZED $8,000
Place of publication not noted. Unrecorded by Singerman (were it to have been printed in Barbados), nor Cecil Roth (were it to have been printed in London); nor any other relevant bibliographic sources located to date. - Hence, <<Very likely, a unique copy.>> Text states that the Morning Service is to follow that of the Fast of Gedaliah. Includes the following prayer: “O God! The God who in thy incomprehensible greatness ruleth the spirit that moveth all flesh, who is like unto thee amongst the mighty? …We thy children abiding in this island of Barbados gratefully acknowledge thee O God in humble prayer and glorify thy holy name in fervent praises…Lord of our salvation have compassion we beseech and implore thee, have mercy O Lord upon this island and deliver its inhabitants from trouble and distress, from earthquakes, hurricanes and frightful calamity…We acknowledge it to be of thy goodness alone that whilst thou hadst visited other countries both now and heretofore with destroying earthquakes, thou hast spared us…” The tropical cyclone of 1843 caused enormous damage along the lengthy stretch of islands of the West Indies, destroying many of its major towns such as Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. Regarding the Jewish Community of Barbados, see M. Arbell, The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean (2002) pp. 191-217.