The Yoke of the Thorah

Luska, Sidney (aka Henry Harland). The Yoke of the Thorah. New York: Cassell & Company, Limited, 1887. First edition. 12mo. [6], 320, [4]pp. Original gilt-stamped and lettered blue cloth. Decorative endpapers. Writing as a Jewish immigrant under the pen name “Sidney Luska,” Henry Harland (1861-1905) published the first of his series of novels about Jewish immigrant life in 1885 with “As It Was Written.” It would be followed by “Mrs. Peixada” (1886), “The Yoke of the Thorah” (1887), and “My Uncle Florimond” (1888). The pseudonym was basically a marketing tactic: if he put “a Jewish name on the title page,” Harland remarked in a letter to his godfather, “the sale of the book would be vastly increased. I believe lots of Jews would buy it for that reason, if for no other.” And it worked! Before long, Harland became the best-selling non-Jewish Jewish writer! Binding rubbed along edges, with head of spine partly chipped. Remnant of previous owner’s Ex-libris on inside of front board. Ex-library bookplate on front free endpaper (Temple Adath Yeshurun – Syracuse, New York). Previous owner’s inscription dated 1887 on half-title. Library pocket at rear. Rear hinge slightly starting. Binding in overall fair to good-, interior in good+ to very good condition. g to g+. Hardcover. (39121) $65