Spagnoletto; with related scholarly material from 1949.
From the Files of Virginia Lazarus
An archive of material related to Emma Lazarus, from the files of the author’s niece, Virginia Lazarus, the daughter of Frank and Alice Lazarus. The highlights of the archive are two signed photographic portraits: one of Emma Lazarus, inscribed to her brother Frank and his wife Alice; and one of Moses Lazarus, Emma’s father. Also of special note is an inscribed copy of Lazarus’ play The Spagnoletto, in the uncommon privately printed first edition.
The archive includes several items of correspondence from Morris U. Schappes, editor of Emma Lazarus: Selections from Her Poetry and Prose [New York: Cooperative Book League, Jewish American Section, International Workers Order, 1944], The Letters of Emma Lazarus [New York: New York Public Library, 1949], and the journal Jewish Currents; as well as a letter from a young scholar undertaking a dissertation on Lazarus. In all, a remarkable collection made all the more so by its extraordinary provenance.
Inventory:
1. Lazarus, Emma. The Spagnoletto. [New York?]: Privately printed, 1876.
8vo.; printed wrappers; chipping to tail of spine; light soiling to wrappers.
First edition. The play was printed for private circulation, and thereafter included in Songs of a Semite [1882]. BAL 11487.
A presentation copy, inscribed: Charles E. Story Esquire/ Compliments of/ Emma Lazarus. With two holograph insertions and one holograph cancellation. Additional ownership inscription to upper wrapper. Charles E. Story was a friend and close business associate of Henry Elias Howland, Virginia’s father-in-law.
2. Photograph Portrait Signed, “Emma Lazarus,” 4 ¼ x 5 ¾”, by Sarony, 1878, very slightly worn at edges. Inscribed on the verso: For Frank + Alice/ from Emma Lazarus/ April 1885.
3. Photograph Portrait Signed, “Moses Lazarus,” 4 1/8 x 6 ¼”, by W. Kurtz, slight wear around edges, chip to upper corner.
4. Mrs. Charles P. Howland [Virginia Lazarus] and Morris U. Schappes. Related Correspondence and Printed Matter. 1949.
a. 3 ALS, Morris U. Schappes to Mrs. Charles P. Howland [Virginia Lazarus], July 10, 1949 – August 4, 1949; 3 leaves; envelopes; folding creases; ink smeared on one leaf, not obscuring text; light soiling to margins of one other.
The letters refer to pieces Schappes has written on Lazarus, the author’s current reputation, and centennial celebrations of her birth. He also thanks Mrs. Howland for sending him three copies of The Spagnoletto, and informs her that he’s donated one to the University of California, and another to the New York Public Library, and that he’ll be keeping the other for his own collection. In the letter of August 4, he refers to the three installments of the letters of Emma Lazarus, edited by Schappes, which were then being published in the Bulletin of the New York Public Library, in the July – September issues (see below).
b. ALS, Arthur Zeiger to Mrs. Charles P. Howland, July 23, 1949, 1 bifolium, 4 pages, folded twice; envelope. Zeiger mentions that he’s been in contact with Schappes, offers his assessment of Lazarus’ poetic talents, and requests any material Mrs. Howland might have that would aid him in his dissertation on Lazarus [Emma Lazarus: A Critical Study, New York: New York University, 1951].
c. Schappes, Morris U., ed. The Letters of Emma Lazarus 1868-1885. New York: New York Public Library, 1949.
4to.; printed side-stapled wrappers; light soiling.
First collected edition. A presentation copy, inscribed, To Mrs. Charles P. Howard [sic],/ in appreciation of her/ generosity and cordial/ cooperation,/ Morris U. Schappes. Mrs. Charles P. Howland is Virginia Lazarus.
d. Bulletin of The New York Public Library. New York: New York Public Library, 53.7 (July 1949).
4to.; cream wrappers; light wear.
First edition. Contains Part I of the Letters of Emma Lazarus, edited by Schappes.
e. Bulletin of The New York Public Library. N
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