A Defence of the Old Testament, In A Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine
New York: Printed by William A. Davis, 1797. First American edition. Hardcover. Duodecimo. 240pp. Rebound in modern brown leather with gilt lettering on cover and spine. The work is British-Jewish scholar David Levi's (1742–1801) defense of the Old Testament, in light of recent attacks leveled at biblical authority and organized religion by the famed Anglo-American revolutionary and thinker Thomas Paine, in his 1793 work "The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology". Levi's writings are addressed directly to Paine himself, the tone defiant and self-righteous. Although most religious and biblical apologists who refuted Paine's claims during the period came from a Christian perspective, the work is notable as being among the only from a Jewish perspective. Levi is considered the first Jewish writer to write polemics in defense of Judaism using the English language.
Book block age-toned with front endpaper and title page slightly browned. Inside front cover with traces of small tag removed from upper foredge corner. Very good condition. Item #55168
Alternate title: A Defense of the Old Testament (the title page spells defense with a "c"). Bibliographic referenses: Evans 32376, Rosenbach 114, Singerman 0114.
Price: $750.00