(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

Two books owned by Rebecca Gratz: Hallifax, Charles. Familiar Letters on Various Subjects of Business and Amusement. London, 1755). Inscribed “Mr. Michael Gratz to Sarah Gratz, Philadelphia, 1811,” and again, “Miss Rebecca Gratz.” * Keese, John, (ed). The Opal for 1846. New York, 1846. With illustrations by J.G. Chapman. Inscribed “Rebecca Gratz - from C.F. Hoffman, 1846.” (See below.)

MIchael Gratz (1740-1811) inscribed the book to his daughter Sarah (1779-1817), two years older than her sister, the much vaunted Rebecca. The book became the property of Rebecca, perhaps it passed to her younger sister upon the early demise of Sarah at age 38. Neither sister ever married. Author C[harles] F[enno] Hoffman (1806-1884) is ranked as one of the brilliant pioneers of American literature. He founded the “Knickerbocker Magazine”, which continued until 1860. In this issue of The Opal, a literary journal, there appears Hoffman’s piece, “The Ambush of Ai” (pp.91-97)