(OPPENHEIM, MORITZ).

Hannover, Frankfurt and Amsterdam

1867-78

Autograph Friendship Album belonging to Jonas Shabthai Bing. Containing some 42 dedicatory inscriptions in Hebrew, German, French and Dutch. Includes such personalities as R. Seckel Bamberger of Bad Kissingen, R. Moshe Malka (emissary from Meknes), R. Akiva Lehren (director of the Pekidim Ve’Amarkalim organization) and the famed artist Moritz Oppenheim . With inscriptions from individuals hailing from such prominent families as: Andries, De Beer, Gans, Lehmann, Posen, Prins, Tedesco, etc.

Of the many interesting inscriptions in this handsome Album Amicorum, a number are elaborate literary affairs. The artist Moritz Oppenheim provides the following flowery moral instruction for young Master Bing: “An Jonas. Mir war zur Freud‘ Dein liebes Wiedersehn. Da ich den Weg des Guten Dich sah gehen; O bleib‘ ihm treu und wanke nicht. Und steh‘ in allen Lagen fest zur Pflicht. Halt‘ hoch den Glauben – ob sich auch Wogen thürmen,. Und wie der Seher einst inmitten Meeresstürmen. So sprich: “ein Jude bin und bleibe ich,. „Den Herrn des Himmels verehr‘ ich inniglich; „Fürwahr’, nichts soll je mir rauben. „Den frommen Gottesglauben! “. Amsterdam im Juli 1868. M. Oppenheim. (Partial translation: “To Jonas. … Adhere steadfastly to duty in all situations …Retain your faith even during surging waves …Declare, I am a Jew and I remain one, for I dearly adore the Lord of Heaven, nothing will ever rob me of the pious belief in God!