Bidspirit auction | (AMERICAN-JUDAICA). Simon Gratz. Autograph Letter

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA). Simon Gratz. Autograph Letter Signed. Gratz writes from 518 Walnut Street to Mrs. Stone: “The portraits of Arthur Lee are at my office. Will you see that they are placed in Taylor’s hands? I have taken my fifteen - my father is at the point of death, whereby I am prevented from visiting you in person.” One page. 8vo. Philadelphia: 1st November 1869 Simon Gratz (1840-1925), the third Simon in a line of Simon Gratzes stemming from the Michael Gratz branch of this notable Philadelphia Jewish family, was an autograph and art collector of astonishing scope. By the end of his life, his collection numbered some 175,000 items. Gratz deeded this collection to the Historical Society of Philadelphia.