Early letter handwritten and signed by Theodor Herzl, to promote a play meant to be performed on stage. Reichenau [Lower Austria]. 29.06.1890.
Herzl details his intention to bring another play to theater, Der Schwanenhals , and writes the general content of the play and the intense labor he invested in this production, with implementation planned for a whole evening. Inter alia, Herzl tells of earlier plays he wrote, including a failed play taken off stage.
Although he studied and qualified as a doctor of law at the University of Vienna, including specialization, Herzl chose to leave the field of law after a short time to work as a journalist, author and playwright. His plays, which included comedy and satire, were brought to stage in a number of European cities including Berlin, Vienna and Prague. Some of his plays filled auditoriums and earned many accolades from critics and viewers. On the other hand, Herzl also dealt with failures and some theaters he turned to did not accept his plays, most notable among the refusals being the Burgtheater – the municipal theater of Vienna. The play discussed in this letter was apparently not performed on stage.
[1] leaf, paper. 20×12 cm.
Very fine condition.
Letter signed by Binyamin Zeev Herzl regarding Zionist propaganda in England. Vienna, 1900.
In the letter, Herzl expresses interest in taking advantage of the Zionist propaganda in America to strengthen the power of Zionism in England. This would be accomplished through a promotional booklet published at the time, which Herzl wishes to distribute to relevant parties. Herzl mentions Mr. A. D. Morrison as a strong influence in this area. Stencil print, Herzl’s signature in the margin of the letter.
[1] stationery of the Vaad HaPoel of the Zionist Congress. 21×31 cm. Fine condition.
Family courtesy letter from “Uncle David” and “Aunt Fanny” to Henny.
[1] leaf, paper, 11X18 cm. written on both sides. One side is the letter from David Wolfson in his hand and with his signature, and the second side is his wife’s letter in her hand and with her signature. German.
David Wolfson (1855-1914) was a friend and personal assistant of Dr. Theodor Herzl’s, and eventually his successor as president of the World Zionist Organization until 1911. In preparation for the first Zionist Congress in Basel, he conceived the design of the flag of the Zionist movement inspired by the tallit. In 1952, his remains and those of his wife, Fanny, were reinterred in Jerusalem next to the burial plots of the Herzl family.
Fold marks, stains, fine condition.
“The Vision of Generations is Realized: The State of Israel is Established.” HaAretz issue from Sunday, 7 Iyar 16.5.1948. “In the Presence of the People’s Council and the Invitees, and to the Sound of the Song (HaTikvah) – The Declaration of the Independence of the People in Our Land and the Establishment of the Provisional Government.”
Extensive articles related to the State of Israel’s declaration of Independence. Among the headlines: “All the ‘White Paper’ Laws of 1939 are Cancelled, the Rest of the Existing Laws in the Land Will Remain in Effect.” The text of the Declaration of Independence is on the front page, as well as a photograph of David Ben-Gurion declaring independence, and photographs of members of the “People’s Administration.”
Specifications: [4 pages] 53×58 cm.
Condition: Fine-very fine, fold marks, tiny holes in the center of the leaf in the fold mark.
Newspaper Yediot Ma’ariv issue from the State of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. “The Mandate is Dead! Long Live our State!” “The Last British Commissioner Leaves the Country, the Government of Israel Receives Governing Control.” Friday, the 5th of Iyar 5708, 14.5.48.
Specifications: [4] pages [out of 8 in the original?]. 43×29 cm.
Condition: Very fine. Fold marks.
HaTzofeh i ssue with the headline: ” The State of Israel has been Established! Long Live [the State of Israel]!” This issue was published with the UN declaration recognizing the state of Israel. Rare! Extensive articles in the wake of the UN declaration recognizing the State of Israel. In the center of the front page there is a color portrait of Herzl, and the back page has a request addressed to all the citizens of Israel: “Your money for the state of Jews to finance the war, and for military equipment … your money is needed for the people today! Hurry!”
Specifications: 4 pages [1] leaf, newsprint. Hebrew.
Condition: Very fine.
Sketch of the Declaration of Independence ceremony – 5 Iyar 1948 – by Otte Wallisch, pencil sketch, signed [on the lower right].
Renowned designer Otte Wallisch [1906-1977] took a central role in the Declaration of Independence ceremony. He was the one who designed the calligraphy of the Scroll of Independence. At the ceremony which took place on 5 Iyar, David Ben Gurion did not read from the scroll itself but from a typewritten draft, because Wallisch was only able to write the bottom part of the scroll due to a disagreement about the text of the Declaration of Independence which had not yet been decided. The scroll was made of three sewn squares of parchment and after the ceremony it was sewn to the part signed by the council members. Wallisch also designed Independence Hall at the first Tel Aviv museum in preparation for the independence ceremony, as well as designing dozens of posters for leading companies, the JNF, the UIA, many advertisements, sketches of Israeli coins, and much more.
Size: 27×36 cm. Very fine condition.
Shanah B’Yisrael 1948-1949 – Parashat HaShanah B’Tmunot edited by D. B. Sharira, published by the National Committee for the Soldier. There is an illustration of the Israeli flag and the IDF emblem designed by Sh. Ben-David on the binding. O n the inside, t here are two maps of the Land of Israel according to the partition plan. Rare publication.
Photo booklet published on the occasion of Rosh HaShanah 1949 summing up the year 5748 [תש”ח] in photographs of the major events that occurred the year of the establishment of the state, in chronological order. The booklet includes historic photographs of the heroes of ‘the exodus from Europe’ forcibly returned to detention camps in Germany, the gathering of the UN General Assembly, celebration of the 29th of November in the streets of Tel Aviv, mass mobilization against Arab riots, the People’s Administration’s first meeting, David Ben-Gurion reading the foundational charter on the day of the establishment of the State, the Declaration of Independence with the signatures of the members of the provisional state council, the conclusion of the British Mandate, the various military corps, immigrants on illegal immigrant ships and more.
Each photograph is captioned in three languages – Hebrew, Yiddish and French.
67, [3] leaves. 11×17 cm. Fine condition.
Notice given to the family of casualty Tuviah Mizrachi, who fell in the line of duty during the War of Independence, on 14.4.48. Signed by Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion in the margins of the notice. Ink on parchment – pleasant scribal script.
13×17 cm.
The signature is in faded handwriting. Very fine condition.
‘There is an urgent issue which cannot be delayed … the matter relates to three groups of settlements: the Southwest (Negev), the Southeast (Kfar Etzion and environs), and the western Galilee, the question of security in all these settlements is first and foremost the expansion of the settlement …’ Hurried and important letter with David Ben-Gurion’s signature from about a half a year before the establishment of the State – December 1947. The letter is addressed to members of the agricultural center with a request to double and triple the number of settlers ‘to the limit’ – ‘According to the recommendation of the majority committee, it will be prohibited for a Jew to settle in Arab territory during the transition period, and if we don’t do it quickly, it may be too late.’ Ben-Gurion calls to adopt an immediate plan to increase the settlements in the South and in the Galilee as fast as possible. ‘Kaplan’ referred to in the letter, upon whom Ben-Gurion relies to find money for this matter, is Eliezer Kaplan [1891-1952] who served at the time as a member of the administration of the Jewish Agency and became the first finance minister of the State of Israel.
[1] leaf paper 24×20 cm, stencil print with Ben-Gurion’s signature. Tears in the margins, fold marks. Stains. Moderate-fine condition.
Letter written and signed by Israeli prime minister David Ben-Gurion from 5/4/1948 in which he requests that Mr. Hertzfeld assist the residents of Sejera (now Ilaniya) by providing water.
‘You have a great, unique mitzvah oppotunity: To give irrigation water to the residents of Sejera, it is an honorable obligation for the desperate farmers … who have suffered so much for some fifty years … don’t miss out … from the granary to the winery, Yosef Fine will not let you go until you commit to do yours.’ David Ben-Gurion’s initialed signature appears in the margins: ‘ד. ב. ג.’
During the War of Independence, there were heavy battles fought over the Sejera colony, between Fawzi Kawachi’s rescue forces and the Golani brigade, which suffered great losses until the Arabs retreated from the area. Yosef Fine [1903-1949], mentioned in the letter, was a senior commander in the Haganah. After the War of Independence he served as the chief inspector of the abandoned territory. About a year later, in 1949 he was killed by an unintentional discharge from a hunting rifle. The addressee is apparently Avraham Hertzfeld [1896-1973], a member of the Second Aliyah, among the prominent activists of the labor settlement.
[1] leaf, 17×21 cm. Fold marks, stains. Fine condition.
Letter from Professor Albert Einstein to Professor Orstein, with a request to assist Dr. L. forge connections with Jews in Holland. 16.10.1926.
Specifications: Albert Einstein’s calling card, 6×10 cm. 13 handwritten lines on the back of the card, with his signature. German.
Content: Einstein requests that his colleague, Dr. Orstein, help the bearer of the card, Dr. L., who is fundraising for the purpose of finding homes for Jewish children from Eastern Europe in Palestine (the Land of Israel). The necessary assistance is to establish contacts with Zionists and other Jewish circles in Holland.
Condition: Fine, fold mark, few tiny stains.
Letter signed by Albert Einstein addressed to Mr. Wald, who was very active in rescuing Jews. Princeton, June 10th , 1939.
Interesting letter of appreciation addressed to Mr. Wald, who was very active bringing Jewish refugees from Germany to the United States. The letter contains interesting details regarding Einstein’s perspective about the continuity of the existence of the Jewish people. Einstein writes that the mutual guarantee of the Jewish people is what has ensured its survival over thousands of years, and that the Jewish people has no other means of self-defense, except for solidarity, understanding and unity. The same unity which caused the Jewish people’s long suffering from outside over the years is the same as that which has ensured its continuity. Einstein sees it as a truly holy cause, no less. Alongside these thoughts he expresses hope that just as our forefathers knew to support each other, the present generation will know to support each other.
An interesting detail about the letter is its date, as it was sent while the ship St. Louis , loaded with Jewish refugees, was returning from Cuba to Germany when no country was willing to accept them into its territory. This despite the fact that their fate upon return to Germany was expected, and indeed most of the passengers were killed in the Holocaust. It is possible that Einstein chose to write his letter in such a manner intentionally, against the backdrop of current events, in order to hint that they, the Jews, not rely on gentiles. Rather they must take care of themselves, which fits well with his Zionist doctrine.
[1] leaf. Stencil print with Einstein’s signature. Including the original envelope in which it was sent in June, 1939.
The truth about the Ze’ev Jabotinsky affair, speech by the commander of the Irgun HaTzevai HaLeumi, broadcast on Tuesday the 15th of Sivan, 22.6.1948. Jerusalem. Sivan, [1948].
14, [1] pages. 22.5 cm. Not yet cut.
Historic speech delivered by Menachem Begin, Etzel Commander, about the Altalena affair that shocked the young country. He spoke out against a civil war! He concluded with the words: Long live the Jewish Nation! Long live the Jewish homeland! Long live the Jewish heroes – the Israeli soldiers. The speech was broadcast on the Etzel radio station.
Most remaining copies note that they were printed at Ezriel press. This copy does not have this note.
Not bound. Worming holes affecting a small portion of the text. Stains. Moderate condition.
Special issue of French newspaper Le Rire dedicated to Kaiser Wilhelm II’s journey to the Land of Israel. Issue 212, 26 November, 1898.
The issue is accompanied by three color illustrations (lithograph) and many black-and-white illustrations: The front cover shows the portrait of the kaiser with a halo around his head. There are many more illustrations following, continuing to build up the kaiser as Jesus – healing a leper, immersion in the Jordan (illustration captioned “Cold shower in the Jordan”), and a color illustration (printed on two pages) presenting the kaiser’s entrance to Jerusalem, riding a donkey. Another illustration (printed on two pages) depicts the kaiser’s visit to a harem. The back cover contains and illustration captioned “A one-man band in a European concert” depicting the kaiser and a many-armed figure; each hand holds a different instrument: trumpet, harp, sword, gun, book, cross, and more.
The German kaiser’s visit, which took place between October 26 and November 4, 1898, is considered one of the most central and influential events in the history of the Land of Israel in the 19th century. Kaiser Wilhelm arrived in the Land with his wife and an entourage of over 200 people. During this visit, he met with Herzl, who came to the country specifically for this meeting, but he was later disappointed with its results.
There was preparation for the visit, such as improvement of the municipal infrastructure, paving roads and constructing bridges. Many hotels renovated their structures, and there was tremendous competition between them regarding who would be privileged to host the kaiser. In honor of the kaiser’s visit, an opening was broken in the walls of Jerusalem next to Jaffa gate so that the kaiser could enter the Old City in his carriage. The city streets, especially the area around HaNeviim street, were decorated with flags of Germany and of the Ottoman empire, and with honorary mobile gates. Many came to Jerusalem towards the visit, and rented places on roofs and porches of homes where the procession was meant to pass.
Le Rire was a satirical weekly founded in Paris in 1894 and was active until the 1950s. The weekly saw much success, and it presented illustrations and caricatures in black-and-white and in color by the best French artists of the period.
[12] leaf. 31 cm. Reinforcements of pasted paper in the margins. Fine condition.
Le Pèlerin French newspaper from December 9, 1917 [the day the British conquered Jerusalem] covering General Allenby’s entrance into Jerusalem, and the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the British without a battle after the secret evacuation by the Ottomans.
The cover of the newspaper shows Allenby in military uniform [color lithograph print]. On the inside pages, there are photographs of Jerusalem as it was found by the British when they entered [mainly the area of the Old City], extensive articles about the British advance to Jerusalem after winning the battle over Be’er Sheva, and extensive coverage of the city of Jerusalem and its historic sites.
16 pages. Minimal aging stains, slight tears in the margins. Fine condition.
The Palestine Post, Coronation Supplement. Special issue on the occasion of the coronation of King George VI. Jerusalem, 12.05.1937.
[34] pages, newsprint. 48×34 cm.
The front has pictures of the king and queen and a prayer for the welfare of His Majesty. The articles include, inter alia, articles on the following topics: the coronation tradition, legends associated with coronation, King George IV “The Industrial Prince,” the Royal house from the time of Queen Victoria, the Queen mother – “Mother of Kings,” the Queen designate, the new trends led by the royal family, “The Six Georges” – an article including the royal family tree, the king’s crown, the royal family and the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, prayers by Jews past and present for the welfare of British kings, an article on the occasion of twenty years of British rule in the Land of Israel, the Emir’s gift to the King, 3000 years of royal tradition, the royal family and the Holy Land, and more.
Fine condition, fold marks, some stains, light wear on the edges of the leaves, tiny hole in the middle of the last page.
Collection of telegrams and documents from the activities of The Palestine Arab Delegation to London. London, 1921-1922. English and Arabic.
In 1919 the Palestine Arab Congress was established in Palestine by groups of Moslem and Christian residents of the country. The congress operated for about a decade on a number of international arenas opposing the Zionist movement. In 1921, Musa Kazim Pasha al-Husayni headed an Arab delegation to London to increase support for their cause amongst the British parliament. The delegation met with the Pope, Winston Churchill and others. The delegation was partially successfully in garnering British votes in its favor, and returned to Palestine about a year later.
The collection includes: Eight telegrams (printed on strips of paper and pasted to the telegram form) that were sent from Palestine to the delegation in November 1921. They include reports about strikes, protests and demonstrations on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration in various cities in Palestine and Cairo. English.
* Copy of a long letter dated 24.10.1921, typewritten and copied by stencil (the first page is printed on the delegation’s stationery), addressed to the Prime Minister of Britain, David Lloyd George. The letter expresses sharp opposition to the Balfour Declaration and calls for the restriction of Jewish immigration and for strengthening Arab-British collaboration.
* Two interesting documents regarding the activities of the delegation from April and May 1922. They mention summaries of meetings with foreign ministers of the allied countries in Paris and participation in an economic convention in Genova (Italy), meetings with leftists in England, a meeting with High Commissioner Herbert Samuel and other topics. [Handwritten and copied by stencil on official stationery. Arabic]. * Fourteen documents of a delegation member Ibrahim Shammas (al-Shammas), including receipts, letters, purchase receipts, and items relating to his activities in the Freemasons and more.
Includes background material. Varying sizes and conditions. A few telegrams are in poor-moderate condition with stains. Creases, tears and tears with loss, primarily in the margins.
Three handwritten letters by philosopher of Socialist Zionism, journalist Berl Katzenelson. Bobroisk, 1900. Written when he was just 13 years old! Among his earliest known letters.
In these letters, Berl Katzelson writes at length about the works and places of print of books by Rabbi Yaakov Emden (the Yaave”tz). In one of the letters he elaborates on his analysis of Carmuli’s catalog – Frankfurt am Main 1875, and the broad knowledge he acquired from this catalog. He signs “ben Moshe” in all of them. The letters were written in sequence: Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, 1900.
[2] leaves, [1] 5×8, [2] 9×6 cm.
Minimal aging stains, fine-very fine condition.
Berl Katzenelson 1887-1944 was one of the prominent leaders of the labor movement in the Land of Israel, philosopher of Social Zionism, journalist, among the designers and founders of the Histadrut institutions.
Poster appealing for enlistment in the Irgun. “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? Enlist in the ranks of the insurgents.” The margins feature the English and Hebrew signature of Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
12×11 cm.
A few water stains, very fine condition.
“Collection of regulations for the Kol Yisrael Chaverim Society (KiYa””Ch) from Paris which was founded in 1860, with new regulations from 1874 appended. Bucharest, 1875. The preface is in Hebrew; the regulations are in Yiddish. Rare booklet. “”… Indeed, faith in the One G-d for whom we have been killed every day, has become the cornerstone to all peoples …”” (from the preface). Rare booklet which does not appear in the National Library and is not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. The Kol Yisrael Chaverim organization was founded by affluent French Jews in 1860, with the purpose of uniting and joining the hearts of all the world’s Jews with bonds of love. One of the reasons for the establishment of the organization was the Edgardo Mortara case, about a Jewish child who was kidnapped by papal police. The organization was active on behalf of Jews from various communities, primarily in Eastern Europe and Islamic countries. The Alliance school in Jerusalem was founded in 1882 and it was the first modern school in Jerusalem. Its purpose was “”Torah and labor”” – integration of religious studies and providing professions such as tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking and more, in order to give the students the ability to support themselves without having to resort to distributions. [10] leaves. 21 cm. Moderate condition. Slight tears in the white margins without damage to text except for one word. Leaves reinforced with pasted paper. Unbound.”
Rare letter! Sent by the chief rabbinate of the Land of Israel to the Governor of Jerusalem. In the letter, the rabbis submit a request to keep watch over the road to Rachel’s tomb for the month of Elul so that Jews can pray there safely. 10 Elul 1929.
Decription: [1] leaf, official stationery. 27×21 cm.
Background: In light of the 1929 massacres in Hebron [August 23 1929], the rabbis in the Land of Israel were concerned about additional pogroms against the Jews in the Land. About three weeks after the massacre, they submitted a letter to the British governor of Jerusalem and the Galilee with a request that he set up British soldiers to keep watch over pilgrims to Rachel’s tomb: “There is a sacred religious custom for Jews … to prostrate ourselves upon our mother Rachel’s tomb during the month of Elul … and given that the tomb is part way to Hebron and that there is no Jewish settlement in the area, it is worthwhile to secure the lives of the petitioners both at the tomb and on the road there from Jerusalem – we request that a British police guard be set up to watch over the way from the city to the tomb … without this minimal security, Jews will be unable to fulfill the sacred custom of thousands of years, which will upset not only the Jews of the Land of Israel, but also Jews the world over who look to … the matriarch’s tomb … we await the response as soon as possible so that we can give directions accordingly to the caretakers of the tomb.” Signed by the secretary of the chief rabbinate, Shmuel Aharon Webber.
Condition: Fine. Fold marks, torn filing holes. Slight tear on the top without lack to text.
Collection of [3] issues of the Jewish newspaper Unzer Tzil ( Our Goal ). Published in Austria. 1948.
* Unzer Tzil. From 9 Iyar 1948. (May 19, 1948.) With extensive coverage about the establishment of the State of Israel, and the joy of the Jews in the entire world, especially in Austria. Yiddish.
* Unzer Tzil. From 18 Iyar (Lag BaOmer) 1948. (May 27, 1948.) The main headline: “Those who Sow in Blood Will Reap Thorns in Joy!” An article about the victories of the Jews in the north of Israel, and an article about Beitar. Yiddish.
* Unzer Tzil. From 29 Adar 1948. (April 9, 1948) Article about breaking the siege of Jerusalem. Yiddish.
Uniform size: 45 cm.
Condition: Fine-very fine.
“Order of prayer and thanks for Yom HaAtzmaut – the 5th-6th of Iyar, as established by our rabbis in the Land of Israel, the chief rabbis, shlit”a, Rabbi Y. A. HaLevi Herzog and Rabbi B. Tz. Uziel.” Collection of [13] booklets published between 1950 and 1973 by the ministry of Religions.
Booklets from the years: 1950. 1951. 1952. 1955. 1956. 1959. 1960. 1965. 1967. 1970. 1971. 1972. 1973.
Various sizes. Overall fine condition.
