Bidspirit auction | (AMERICAN-JUDAICA). MICHAEL GRATZ Autograph Letter

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA). MICHAEL GRATZ Autograph Letter Signed, written in English to his son, Simon Gratz. Business matters. Noting a transaction for which Judge George Wallace of Pittsburgh has agreed to pay in cash. Two pages. With autograph address panel. Top line torn with some loss to a few letters. Philadelphia, 23rd January 1795.      Michael Gratz writes here to his eldest son and heir Simon, regarding matters of business. The letter begins with affectionate fatherly greetings, but in contrast with a mother’s letter (see next lot), is then dense and all business.     Michael Gratz (1740-1811) was a formidable American Jewish businessman during the Colonial era and in the early years of the United States. He was born in Langensdorf, Upper Silesia, but moved to London and then India, and finally settled in America in 1760, where his brother Bernard was already established.     In addition to his upstanding participation in Jewish communal and religious life, he was also among the American Patriots who coalesced in opposition to the perceived tyranny of the British crown, leading to the American Revolution. Gratz was a signatory to Maryland's Resolution of Non-Importation in 1765, in protest of the Stamp Act, a very unpopular form of British taxation in the American colonies. Gratz formed a business partnership with Joseph Simon, and married his daughter Miriam. He left a substantial fortune at his death. His business was continued by his son Simon and other children.