Form of Prayers and Blessings of Israel with an English Translation

Brooklyn, NY: Hebrew Publishing Company, 1901. Unique Handmade Ivory and Brass Cover on Rare 1901 Siddur (Jewish Prayerbook) Form of Prayers and Blessings of Israel with an English Translation published by the Hebrew Publishing Company, Brooklyn, New York Book opens right to left. 511 pages. 32mo: 4.75 by 3.5 inches in size and 1.75 inches thick. The original binding may have been green cloth which has been covered over. The first layer is a white or cream colored celluloid frame on the front and back covers with a brass frame. Teeny brass nails mark the midpoint of the frame closest to the spine on both front and back cover. A detailed brass clasp and peg to hold the volume closed are intact. The hinge and clasp are probably prefabricated pieces. The front cover was truly a labor of love with many layers of artistry. Working from the outside in: a brass frame then a celluloid border about a quarter of an inch all around. Then there is a very detailed frame of silver colored metal about 4 by 2.75 inches. A zig zag border design is around all inner and outer edges of the tin frame. The frame does not respond to a magnet and may be sterling silver or German silver. The center is kind of an ovoid cutout with embossed three dimensional embellishments at top, bottom and both sides of the midpoint, like compass points (but not really a compass rose.) The embellishments have been incised from a single sheet of silver colored metal, some fine detailed work. The top and bottom, or north and south, points resemble somewhat half of a fleur de lis. On top of the silver colored frame and secured by eight teeny brass nails is a very detailed "lacey" ivory border. The ivory design ranges from a quarter of an inch at its narrowest to three quarter of an inch at its widest. There are two areas of losses to the ivory of about a quarter and a third of an inch. The piece on the left side does have some free movement - meaning it can pivot on the teeny brass nail. The left corner piece was Please see our photographs to view the missing areas. Inside the silver colored metal frame is green velvet backing (now faded) and in the center of that is a handcarved ivory medallion of the 10 Commandments Tablets which is about a half inch wide and 1.75 inches long. The back cover is celluloid. The spine has both remants of a paper cover and is about half covered with celluloid. The original green cloth cover is visible here. There are some green areas on the brass frame that may have some corrosion. It will be up to the new owner to clean and restore. As you'll note in our many photographs cello tape has been used across the spine and onto the covers. There is cello tape on the cover on both ivory and celluloid elements. The book itself is fragile. This was a beloved and well used volume that went to shul often and it does have handling wear and tear. The front cover and front hinge is loose. There is an inscription on the fep. There is some soil to the margins on pages 34 and 35 which is where the book splits. We note soil to page margins and tears to some pages including in the bottom margins of pages 63 and 65, 69 and 71. Page 223 is chipped in the interior margin and the book splits again at pages 224. There is a loose section 225 to 254 detached and laid in. The remainder of the book appears firmly bound until we get to the last page and rear endpapers also detached and laid in. The pages were originally gilt edged all around, this is largely faded. Thanks for shopping with us! 100% of your purchase benefits charity and supports literacy and lifelong learning.. Ivory; Cloth; Brass; Celluloid. Fair/No Jacket. 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall.