Metziat HaEretz HaChadashah – on the discovery of America, including history, laws and peoples of the land, by Joachim Heinrich Campe, translated into Hebrew by Moses Mendelsohn-Frankfurt of Hamburg. Altona: Shmuel and Yehudah Bonn Segal, 1807. Only edition.

Translation of Die Entdeckung Von Amerika by Joachim Heinrich Campe, a prominent figure of the German Enlightenment. The present work is a translation and adaptation of the first part of the trilogy, dealing with Colombus and meant for children.

On leaf before preface, illustration of "one side of the Earth".

On margins of title page, dedication of translator, Moses Mendelsohn, "to my friend… R. Aharon Chorin, Rabbi of Chorin, as a token of my love, Moses son of R. Mendel Frankfurt. Hamburg… Tamuz 1819".

The recipient of the dedication who received the book from the author may have been Aharon Chorin (Choriner; 1766-1844), Rabbi of Arad, one of the radical adherents of the Haskalah. He was the first Reform rabbi of Hungary, and was considered a forerunner of the Reform movement. He was opposed and banned by the Chatam Sofer and others. Chorin did not serve as Rabbi of Chorin, but this may have been a mistake on the part of the author.

On endpaper, notable handwritten ownership inscription, describing a loan of the book that was not returned on time, which the borrower was unable to return due to the owner dying with no heirs.

The author,
Moses Mendelsohn-Frankfurt (1782-1861), Jewish-German poet, author, artist and translator. Born in Hamburg as Moses Frankfurter, he later named himself after the famous philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. He was attracted to the Haskalah movement under the influence of Naphtali Herz Wessely and authored poems and ethical works. His nephew was R. Shimshon Refael Hirsch.

[19], 175, [1] pages. 15.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Marginal tears to several leaves. Last two leaves detached, and several leaves loose. Margins of several leaves trimmed, bordering text. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, worn.