Sold for $953

New York: Published by Kirk and Mercein/London: By John Miller, 1819. First edition. 8vo. vi, (ii), 431, (1), xlvii pp. Presentation copy, inscribed by Noah on title-page to Col. Pawling (presumably Col. Albert Pawling): "Col Pawling from his friend the Author". Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Noah and four engraved plates (including one folding). Modern quarter tan calf over marbled paper-covered boards, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed; foxing to text and plates; repair at fore-edge of plate facing p. 317 ("Abdallah American Drogaman"). Rosenbach, American Jewish Bibliography 205; Shaw & Shoemaker 48941

Rare presentation copy of Mordecai M. Noah's account of his experiences while serving as the American consul to Tunis. Presumably inscribed to Col. Albert Pawling (1750-1837), American Revolutionary officer, and first Mayor of Troy, New York.

Noah was notable as one of the first American Jews to hold an important diplomatic position, and as American consul was instrumental in the release of American seamen who were being held as slaves in the Barbary States. In 1816, he was recalled from his position by Secretary of State James Madison, due to his religion, which caused outrage.

Col. Albert Pawling (1750-1837) was born in Dutchess County, New York, and served in the American Revolution, seeing action in the failed invasion of Canada, and afterwards commanding a Swiss regiment that protected the New York frontier. Following the war he served as the first Mayor of Troy, New York. While the extent of Pawling and Mordecai's friendship is not clear, records show that Pawling's wife, Eunice Porter Bird Pawling, corresponded with Mordecai, in her role in the the American Society for Colonizing and Evangelizing the Jews.