NOAH, Mordecai M. (1785–1851). Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years 1813–14 and 15. New York and London: Kirk and Mercein; John Miller, 1819.
8vo (219 x 130 mm). (Spotting throughout). Steel–engraved portrait frontispiece, 4 engraved plates including a large foldout (spotting). Full contemporary mottled calf, gilt framed with alternating leafy foliage, spine in 7 compartments with 6 raised bands, black leather lettering–piece gilt in central compartments, gilt tooling in remainder, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers (joints and extremes rubbed, some surface wear to covers).
FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR on the title–page to possibly Dr. David Hosack (1769–1835), the notable American physician who tended to the fatal injuries of Alexander Hamilton after his duel with Aaron Burr in July 1804. Noah was considered the most influential American Jew in the United States in the early nineteenth century and was the first American Jew to hold an important diplomatic post (later removed from office for anti–Semitic reasons by James Monroe). This work recounts Noah’s experiences as American consul to Tunis, where he successfully negotiated for the release of captured seaman. Also contains letters from Jefferson (most famous for its support for fairness to Jewish citizens), Madison and John Adams. Rosenbach, American Jewish Bibliography 205; Shaw & Shoemaker 48941.