CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY. (FOUNDED ON THE 9TH OF HESHVAN, 5606.) ADOPTED AT PHILADELPHIA, ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1845, KISLEV 1, 5606.
Philadelphia: C. Sherman, Printer, 5606 [i.e., 1845]. Contemporary plain wrappers [some chipping; old rubberstamp]. Stitched. 11, [1 blank] pp. One rubberstamp on title page, persistent small spot at blank lower margin. Else Very Good.
This important organization was, according to the online Jewish Encyclopedia, "A society formed for the dissemination of Jewish literature, and the first of its kind in the United States; founded at Philadelphia in 1845 by Isaac Leeser."
Abraham Hart was President; Isaac Leeser was Corresponding Secretary and, along with Hyman Gratz and Abraham S. Wolf, one of the Managers. Leeser chaired the Publication Committee. The Constitution's Preamble expresses the subscribers' commitment to "fostering Jewish Literature, and of diffusing the utmost possible knowledge, among all classes of Israelites, of the tenets of their religion and the history of their people."
Membership in the Society was open to "every male Israelite over the age of twenty-one years." Women, minors, and "non-Israelites" could become "contributing members." Parliamentary procedures and the organization of the Society are outlined.
FIRST EDITION. Singerman 0881. OCLC records eight locations under several accession numbers as of December 2022. Item #37129
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