Germany -- History -- 18th century

The collection contains original autographs as well as photocopied correspondence by Rabbi Abraham Geiger. Also included are a family tree of the Geiger family and a photograph.

Various decrees issued by rulers before emancipation to the Jewish communities of the towns and provinces of Alsace, Augsburg, Austria, Baden, Bamberg, Berlin, Bohemia, Brandenburg, Braunschweig, Breslau, Cassel, Cologne, Dresden, Eisenach, Frankfurt am Main, Hanau, Hanover, Helmstaedt, Hessen, Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Nassau, Nuremberg, Palatinate, Potsdam, Prussia, Rawicz, Rheinfels, Saxony, Schleswig, Schwerin, Vienna, Weinheim, Wolfenbuettel, and Wuerzburg. The decrees concern many aspects of life, including economic activity and taxation, settlement rights, and the regulation of the internal life of the Jewish communities.

The Itzig Family Collection contains papers documenting the history and genealogy of the Itzig and related families. Particularly prominent are the careers and significant achievements of Daniel Itzig (1722-1799) and his son Isaac Daniel Itzig (1750-1806). The collection includes family trees, many photocopies of official certificates and letters, an unpublished typescript for a book on Isaac Daniel Itzig and a few copies of photographs of family members.

Original correspondence from Rahel Varnjagen as well as from her husband Karl August. Annotated handwritten transcripts of lost correspondence from and to Rahel Varnhagen, prepared before WW II. Also included are commentaries and essays.