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(JUDAICA.) An early transcript of a Gratz family poem, quite possibly composed by Rebecca Gratz, 2 manuscript pages (9 1/2 x 7 inches) plus integral blank on one folding sheet; moderate staining and wear, but complete and legible; docketed on blank. Np, [1802]
This poem was composed in 1797 by "RG," a daughter of Miriam Simon Gratz (1749-1808). It is titled "Written on the birth Day of My Beloved Mother," and its 26 lines begin "Be thy return oh happy day / Unclouded by misfortune's sway." The Gratzes were a leading family of the Philadelphia Jewish community, and Rebecca Gratz (1781-1869), the famed philanthropist and educator, would certainly fit the bill. So would her sisters Richea Gratz Hays (1774-1858) and Rachel Gratz Moses (1784-1823), which complicates matters. Richea was married by 1797, Rachel was still quite young, and Rebecca was the one in the family best known for her literary attainments. Still, we cannot assign the authorship to her with complete confidence. This copy was transcribed 5 years after its composition by one of Miriam Simon Gratz's sisters. It bears a note in the same hand reading "Mrs. Miriam Gratz will be 53 the 20 of December, this tribute of her daughter was in the forty eight year of her age, 1797." It is docketed in the same hand "On my beloved sister's birth day." The provenance suggests that the transcript was done by Shinah Simon Schuyler. Provenance: found among the papers of George Washington Schuyler (1810-1888)--see lot 260. Though the Schuylers were Gentiles, they had a family connection to the Gratzes. His uncle Nicholas Schuyler (1755-1824) married Shinah Simon, the sister of Miriam Simon Gratz and the aunt of Rebecca Gratz. The collection also contained estate papers of Nicholas Schuyler. with--a cabinet card photograph of the well-known miniature portrait of Rebecca Gratz. Albumen print, 6 x 4 inches, on gilt-bordered mount with "Beardsley" backmark, captioned on verso; spotting to image.
