The King of Schnorrers

London: The Rodale Press, 1954. Limited edition. Hardcover. g. 1/1000. Quarto. 158, [2]pp. Original cloth with black and orange-stamped illustration on front cover, and orange lettering on spine. Book housed in its original paper covered slipcase. Exquisite illustrated edition of Israel Zangwill's satire "The King of Schnorrers" which tells the story of Manasseh da Costa, a schnorrer (beggar) who lives on the charitable contributions of the Jews of late 18th-century London. But Manasseh is far from being a humble panhandler for, as every schnorrer knows, supporting the poor is a commandment from God (a mitzvah) not just a favor. And as the descendant of Portuguese Jews who had lived in England for many generations, Manasseh is the social superior of those newly arrived from Eastern Europe (called 'Tedesco'), even his wealthy patron Joseph Grobstock. As this hilarious satire concludes the ever-audacious Manasseh strikes a blow for tolerance-while helping himself along the way. This work is profusely illustrated with numerous colored reproductions of woodcuts by Henk Krijger. This Edition has been printed in 12 point Scotch Roman type by the Chiswick Press and bound by W. & J. Mackay & Co., Ltd. This is copy No.A929 of the edition for subscribers in Great Britain which has been limited to 1,000 copies. Slipcase heavily rubbed along edges. Very minor sunning on covers. Offsetting on endpapers. Slipcase in overall fair, binding in good+ and interior in very good condition.