Seth Kaller, Inc. has History you can Hold and Own at the 62nd Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

April 8, 2022

(ProNewsReport Editorial):- White Plains, New York Apr 7, 2022 (Issuewire.com) – Seth Kaller, Inc is participating in the 63rd Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, 62nd Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, April 21-24, 2022, located in Booth A5. The Bookseller’s Fair will be at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065. You can purchase tickets here.

This year, Seth is bringing true historical treasures. Among them will be a letter signed by Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury to Stephen Smith Esq., collector of the Customs for the Port from September 22, 1789, A document signed by Benjamin Franklin, signed during the Constitutional Convention on August 18, 1789.

Even more impressive will is the letter penned and signed by President Abraham Lincoln, on Executive Mansion stationery introducing Ulysses S. Grant’s Superintendent of Freed Slaves to the American Freedmen’s Inquiry Commission, on July 22nd, 1862. Sent by Grant to Washington, D.C., Eaton first met Lincoln on July 21st, 1863. That night, Lincoln read the report that Eaton compiled on freedmen in the Department of Tennessee. They met again the next day, and Lincoln gave Eaton this letter to the Freedmen’s Inquiry Commission, then in New York. Eaton began working with the Commission while continuing his hands-on work in Grant’s department. Eaton met with Lincoln several more times and was entrusted with a very sensitive political mission relating to Grant and the election of 1864.

You will find a magnificent manuscript of the lyrics to “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” / “Jerusalem of Gold” penned by Naomi Shemer in June 1967 with a Verse Just Added to Celebrate the Reunification of Jerusalem, shown here, when you visit the Seth Kaller, Inc. booth (A5), Mayor Teddy Kollek asked Naomi to write a song affirming the historic connection of the Jewish people to its ancient capital. Although worried she would not find inspiration in time she rose to the challenge, perfectly capturing the mournful longing for the Eternal City. On Israel’s Independence Day, May 15, Shuli Natan sang “Jerusalem of Gold” to an entranced audience. That same day, Nasser sent the Egyptian army into the Sinai. Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia marshaled their forces to join Egypt. Rather than waiting to be destroyed, Israel preemptively struck Egypt’s air force and army on June 5. Kollek telegraphed Shemer asking her to add a verse. Inspired by the unexpected reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish control for the first time in 2,000 years, she promptly did so.

Available, for you, you are the first-day printing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. On May 14, 1948, “the last day of foreign rule”, the Hebrew newspapers in Palestine published a joint issue titled Yom ha-Medinah, “The Day of the State,” announcing the establishment of the State of Israel. The first issue of the Official Gazette of the Israeli government contains the first printing of the Decree Concerning the Establishment of the State of Israel. The names of the 37 members of the Temporary Government headed by David Ben-Gurion are listed on page 2. Israel’s Declaration of Independence pledges to “uphold the full social and political equality of its citizens without distinction of race, creed, or, sex.” Thus, Israel’s founding document put in place ideals that took America over a hundred years to achieve. Israel’s emphasis on protecting human rights remains radical compared to many nations, especially in the Middle East.

A few recently acquired important books from the personal library of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will also be at the Seth Kaller, Inc. booth including Erica Jong’s book, signed and inscribed to RBG, Justice Ginsburg’s opinions inscribed to her by clerks, 1993-1998, 2000, will also be available to view and purchase. Another treasure, What do Women Want? Bread Roses Sex Power, inscribed to RBG, Lilly Ledbetter and Lanier Scott-Isom’s signed book, and, Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond, a First Edition, signed and inscribed by Ledbetter to Ginsburg: “To Justice Ginsburg: Thank You–My hero! You are my inspiration! Best wishes, Lilly Ledbetter.” Seth Kaller, Inc. also has a collection of Women’s History that includes First Ladies, which you can view here.

Seth and his staff will also be showing Frederick Douglass’ Freedom to the Slave, rare original printings of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. They will also have the first book printing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 8, 1776; see the Declaration of Independence Collection here.

Seth Kaller is a leading expert in acquiring, authenticating, and appraising American historic documents and artifacts. Seth has built museum-quality collections for individuals and institutions, as well as legacy collections for philanthropists to donate. Documents that Seth has handled have since been exhibited at or acquired by The Smithsonian Institution, The National Constitution Center, Atlanta History Center, The Gettysburg National Civil War Museum, the New York Stock Exchange, Mount Vernon, The University of Virginia, Rice University, Yale University, the Skirball Cultural Center, The Kennedy Space Center, The Lincoln Museum, and several Presidential Libraries and National Parks museums, and other notable institutions.