In addition to the 20 Autoglyphs of Oppenheim's celebrated paintings, this sumptuous volume contains a line reproduction of a notable work by Leopold Horovitz, and the text itself is furthermore embellished and illustrated by numerous effective relief etchings representing various incidents and accessories of Jewish religious observance.
The twenty-one impressive compositions are collated in illustration of the Jewish year; they represent the successive festivals, fasts and holidays of the religious year, the various aspects of the Sabbath, and the distinctive customs and observances of Jewish family life.
The following is a list of the subjects:—
1. Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
2. Shabuoth, The Feast of Weeks.
3. Tisha B'Ab, The Feast of the Ninth Day of Ab.
4. Kal Nidre, Eve of The Day of Atonement.
5. Succoth, The Feast of Tabernacles.
6. Hanukah, The Feast of the Dedication.
7. Purim, The Feast of Esther.
8. Beginning of Sabbath.
9. Sabbath Eve.
10. Sabbath Afternoon.
11. Sabbath Rest.
12. Close of Sabbath.
13. The Rite of the Covenant (B'rith Milah).
14. The First Birthday.
15. The Rabbi's Blessing.
16. The Examination.
17. The Confirmation (Bar Mitzva.)
18. The Wedding.
19. The Village Vender.
20. The Anniversary of Mourning (Minyan.)
21. The Return of the Volunteer.
The complete cycle of Oppenheim's masterly Pictures of Jewish Life is included in this work, the original paintings being reproduced with all the fidelity and effectiveness of the most advanced reproductive art.
The text has been written with a special regard to its educational import. Each subject is elucidated by a brief citation of the historic data bearing on it, and by a consideration of those of its features which are directly or indirectly traceable in their origin and development. The various articles thus make up a succession of historic monographs, each one presenting, so to speak, a different cross-section of the outline perspective of Jewish history which the text in its entirety affords.
In the preparation and arrangement of this work the Publishers have endeavored to maintain for its various elements, artistic, literary and mechanical, a standard commensurate with the dignity of the subject. They believe that they have measurably succeeded in their purpose, and they bring the work before the Jewish public with a confident reliance on its support.
The Oppenheim Album of the Jewish Year is furnished at $20,
a price which, while necessarily greater than that of ordinary books, is far below the usual cost of art books of equal magnitude. This has been rendered possible through the economies resulting from the concentration of all the requisite facilities for its production and the compassing of all the latest advances in the heliographic and typographic arts. The work forms a magnificent livre de luxe. The pictures are mounted on artistically matted boards, hinged on guards, and bound in heavy covers with fine cloth and half Russia leather binding. It may be ordered through any bookseller, and if ordered direct it will be sent by express prepaid to any address in the United States or Canada on receipt of the subscription price.