Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 145 - 156 of 168
![50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/145_1.jpg "Musée des Horreurs - \"Museum of Horrors\" - Series of Anti-Semit")
![50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/145_2.jpg "Musée des Horreurs - \"Museum of Horrors\" - Series of Anti-Semit")
![50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/145_3.jpg "Musée des Horreurs - \"Museum of Horrors\" - Series of Anti-Semit")
![50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians,](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/145_4.jpg "Musée des Horreurs - \"Museum of Horrors\" - Series of Anti-Semit")
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $15,000
Unsold
50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians, journalists, pro-Dreyfusars and prominent Jews, illustrated by an artist who signed his work with the pseudonym V. Lenepveu, referred to occasionally as Victor Lenepveu. Hand-Colored Lithographs. Paris, [1899-1900]. Posters no. 1-50 (no. 51 is missing).
The posters appeared for the first time when the International Exhibition opened in Paris, right during the Dreyfus affair, several months after the second conviction of Dreyfus in court. The posters were printed once a week before their publication was halted by the French Ministry of Interior.
The original series consisted of 51 posters depicting pro-Dreyfus personalities in a grotesque, monstrous manner.
Each poster depicted a different person illustrated with organs of a beast or a monstrous body. Among the subjects of the posters: Emil Zola, George Piccard, Zadok Cohen, the Rothschilds, Alfred Dreyfus (several posters), and others.
Average size 65X50 cm. Condition varies. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, creases, some tears, or open tears, mainly at margins of numerous posters. Rough tears at margins of poster no. 1. Considering the quality of paper used for printing the posters they were preserved in good condition.
Literature: The Dreyfus Affair, Art, Truth and Justice, edited by Norman L. Kleeblatt, Tel-Aviv: Ministry of Defence, 1991. Pp. 234-242.
The posters appeared for the first time when the International Exhibition opened in Paris, right during the Dreyfus affair, several months after the second conviction of Dreyfus in court. The posters were printed once a week before their publication was halted by the French Ministry of Interior.
The original series consisted of 51 posters depicting pro-Dreyfus personalities in a grotesque, monstrous manner.
Each poster depicted a different person illustrated with organs of a beast or a monstrous body. Among the subjects of the posters: Emil Zola, George Piccard, Zadok Cohen, the Rothschilds, Alfred Dreyfus (several posters), and others.
Average size 65X50 cm. Condition varies. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, creases, some tears, or open tears, mainly at margins of numerous posters. Rough tears at margins of poster no. 1. Considering the quality of paper used for printing the posters they were preserved in good condition.
Literature: The Dreyfus Affair, Art, Truth and Justice, edited by Norman L. Kleeblatt, Tel-Aviv: Ministry of Defence, 1991. Pp. 234-242.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Siphre ad Deuteronomium / "Sifre al Sefer Devarim", edited by Louis Finkelstein. Berlin: Der Jüdischer Kulturbund in Deutschland [cultural federation of German Jews], late 1939. Hebrew, with a Latin title page.
This book is one of the last books printed by the Cultural Federation of German Jews under Nazi regime, and its publication was finished about a month after the outbreak of the war. The basis for this book is a manuscript from the estate of the scholar Haim Shaul Horowitz (1858-1921), which was studied by Eliezer Aryeh (Louis) Finkelstein, who added textual criticism and comments and decided to publish it as one of the series of books "Kovetz Ma'assey HaTana'im".
In view of the difficulties involved in publishing Jewish books in Nazi Germany, Finkelstein was obliged to publish the book in parts, as pamphlets, and move the printing location between various towns in Germany. Between the years 1935 and 1937 the booklets were printed in Breslau, and in 1939, just before the war, printing was moved to Berlin, sponsored by the Cultural Federation of German Jews, the only institute that still had the permission, at the time, to print Jewish books. Although the process of destroying Jewish books was already at its peak, the publishers continued, while demonstrating devotion and undertaking a serious risk, to print this book, and in October 1939, about a month after the outbreak of war, they succeeded in accomplishing the printing. It seems that this copy was sent to Switzerland, where it was bound and survived the war.
To the best of our knowledge, no original Jewish books were printed later, under the Nazi regime. One complete copy only in OCLC.
[4] leaves, 431 pp, [3] leaves, 25.5 cm. Very good condition. faux leather cover, with gilt German title on spine . Small stain to page edges (not staining the pages). Creases and folds to a few leaves. Inscription in pencil to several leaves. Ownership inscription on first leaf.
This book is one of the last books printed by the Cultural Federation of German Jews under Nazi regime, and its publication was finished about a month after the outbreak of the war. The basis for this book is a manuscript from the estate of the scholar Haim Shaul Horowitz (1858-1921), which was studied by Eliezer Aryeh (Louis) Finkelstein, who added textual criticism and comments and decided to publish it as one of the series of books "Kovetz Ma'assey HaTana'im".
In view of the difficulties involved in publishing Jewish books in Nazi Germany, Finkelstein was obliged to publish the book in parts, as pamphlets, and move the printing location between various towns in Germany. Between the years 1935 and 1937 the booklets were printed in Breslau, and in 1939, just before the war, printing was moved to Berlin, sponsored by the Cultural Federation of German Jews, the only institute that still had the permission, at the time, to print Jewish books. Although the process of destroying Jewish books was already at its peak, the publishers continued, while demonstrating devotion and undertaking a serious risk, to print this book, and in October 1939, about a month after the outbreak of war, they succeeded in accomplishing the printing. It seems that this copy was sent to Switzerland, where it was bound and survived the war.
To the best of our knowledge, no original Jewish books were printed later, under the Nazi regime. One complete copy only in OCLC.
[4] leaves, 431 pp, [3] leaves, 25.5 cm. Very good condition. faux leather cover, with gilt German title on spine . Small stain to page edges (not staining the pages). Creases and folds to a few leaves. Inscription in pencil to several leaves. Ownership inscription on first leaf.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Collection of items from the archive of Rabbi Prof. Dr. Manfred (Menachem ben Michael) Papo - certificates, letters and other items from the period of his stay in the British Internment Camp Mooragh on the Isle of Man; documents related to his work in Jewish congregations in Manchester and in Rhodesia (a British colony, present day Zimbabwe), and more. Most items are from the 1940s. Hebrew, English and German.
Rabbi Prof. Dr. Manfred (Menachem) Papo (1898-1966), served as rabbi in Salzburg and later served as teacher and rabbi of the Sephardic congregation in Vienna. After the Kristallnacht he was arrested and deported to Dachau but was released and immigrated to England, where he was appointed as a rabbi in Manchester and was involved in relief activities for Jewish refugees. After the establishment of British Internment Camps in the Isle of Man in 1940, he stayed in Mooragh internment camp. The documents in the collection indicate that he was active in the camp as teacher and founded a Jewish congregation (among other activities he founded a synagogue for Jewish internees). As of 1944 he served as Rabbi of the Sephardic congregation in Rhodesia.
The collection includes:
Items from Mooragh Internment Camp, Ramsey, Isle of Man:
1. Note written by hand - certificate allowing Rabbi Papo to keep the light switched on in his room in the camp, until 23:00. [December, 1940]. English. 17.5X8 cm. Signed by hand and stamped with camp's official ink-stamp.
2. Letter of gratitude for Rabbi Papo's activity related to the founding of and managing the synagogue in the internment camp. Handwritten, in Hebrew and German, and signed by several of the camp's inmates. Nissan, 1941 (30.3.1941): "We hereby express our gratitude from the bottom of our heart to the rabbi of our holy congregation… Prof. Dr. Menachem Michael Papo… who founded the synagogue and preached…His aim was to strengthen the spirit of Judaism…"(Hebrew). The letter is signed by: Jakob Leisner, who wrote the Hebrew version of the letter; Meir Yehudah Irom, and others. Leaf 36X17.5 cm, folded into two.
3. Certificate, written and decorated by hand - present to Rabbi Papo from the Jewish congregation in the internment camp. April 1, 1941. English.
A blue Star of David appears on the top of the leaf, below it, in nice calligraphic script: "Prof. Manfred Papo PH.D. Rabbi of our congregation, respectfully dedicated by its members". Some 30 signatures by hand appear below the dedication. Sheet of paper (42X24.5 cm), folded into two.
4. Handwritten notice - invitation to a festive ceremony in the synagogue on the occasion of Rabbi Papo's departure (program: songs, farewell speech by Rabbi Papo, and more). [ca. 1941]. German. Leaf 30X37.5 cm.
5. Notice, written and illustrated by hand - invitation to
a lecture by Rabbi Papo concerning Sephardic Judaism (preceded by: press review by Jakob Leisner), to be held in the Internment Camp synagogue. [ca. 1941]. German. 32X22.5 cm.
6. Letter from the Internee supervisor in the camp. April, 1941. English.
Letter "to Whom it May Concern" confirming that Rabbi Papo served for many months as consultant to the camp's education office and was responsible for arranging the camp's library which contained about 3,000 books. [1] leaf, 25.5 cm. Signed by hand and stamped with camp's official ink-stamp.
7. Portrait of Manfred Papo, pencil drawing on paper by Ludwig Meidner. A dedication handwritten by Meidner appears below the portrait (German). Ramsey, April 1941. [1] leaf, 28 cm.
Ludwig Meidner (1884-1966), painter and printmaker, one of the leading figures in the German expressionist movement. Meidner studied art in the Breslau academy and later in Paris; in 1907 he settled in Berlin. Under the Nazi regime his name was listed as one of the "degenerate artists". In 1935-1939 he taught in a Jewish school in Cologne and later on fled with his family to London. From London Meidner was deported to the Internment Camps in the Isle of Man and was detained in the camps Mooragh and Hutchinson until the end of 1941.
8-9. Two pencil-drawings on paper - one, portrait of Rabbi Papo. The other - interior of the synagogue.
10. Photograph (of the war days). It is possible that it was taken in the Internment Camps in the Isle of Man. 14X9 cm.
Additional items from the Archive of Rabbi Papo:
11. A printed letter from the secretary of the Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews (Manchester). The letter announces the appointment of Rabbi Papo as Honorary Minister to the congregation and invites to attend the appointment ceremony. July 1942. English. [1] leaf, 20 cm.
12. Official letter from the chairman of the Jewish Refugees Committee, Manchester branch. Sent to Rabbi Papo in Manchester, December 1943. Printed on official stationery and signed by hand.
Letter of gratitude to Rabbi Papo for assistance to the Jewish Refugees Committee, upon his departure from Manchester. [1] leaf, 26 cm.
13. Official certificate issued by the Governor of Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (A British colony, present day Zimbabwe), granting Rabbi Papo the right to conduct wedding ceremonies in Rhodesia. Salisbury, 1944. English. Printed and signed by hand. [1] leaf, 34 cm.
14. Greeting card, written and illustrated by hand, on the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of Michael, Manfred's son. [1] leaf, folded into two, 24.5 cm.
When World War II broke out, 75,000 Germans and Austrians lived in Britain, most of them arrived during the 1930s attempting to flee the Nazi regime. The British government, being concerned that spies and collaborators with the Nazi regime will infiltrate Britian, implemented a policy of detention and imprisonment. First - all German and Austrian men of 16 to 60 years of age were arrested, and later, women were also arrested. In July 1940 the detainees were deported to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea (part of the British Crown protectorates), where several internment camps have been established. Of the thousands of internees in the Isle of Man, the majority was Jewish, and many manifested open opposition to the Nazi Regime. The Jews led a vibrant cultural life in the camps (many of the internees were professors, physicians, scientists and artists). The documents offered here indicate that the Jews also led an active religious and congregational life.
Lot of 14 items. Overall good condition.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Simon Cohen.
Rabbi Prof. Dr. Manfred (Menachem) Papo (1898-1966), served as rabbi in Salzburg and later served as teacher and rabbi of the Sephardic congregation in Vienna. After the Kristallnacht he was arrested and deported to Dachau but was released and immigrated to England, where he was appointed as a rabbi in Manchester and was involved in relief activities for Jewish refugees. After the establishment of British Internment Camps in the Isle of Man in 1940, he stayed in Mooragh internment camp. The documents in the collection indicate that he was active in the camp as teacher and founded a Jewish congregation (among other activities he founded a synagogue for Jewish internees). As of 1944 he served as Rabbi of the Sephardic congregation in Rhodesia.
The collection includes:
Items from Mooragh Internment Camp, Ramsey, Isle of Man:
1. Note written by hand - certificate allowing Rabbi Papo to keep the light switched on in his room in the camp, until 23:00. [December, 1940]. English. 17.5X8 cm. Signed by hand and stamped with camp's official ink-stamp.
2. Letter of gratitude for Rabbi Papo's activity related to the founding of and managing the synagogue in the internment camp. Handwritten, in Hebrew and German, and signed by several of the camp's inmates. Nissan, 1941 (30.3.1941): "We hereby express our gratitude from the bottom of our heart to the rabbi of our holy congregation… Prof. Dr. Menachem Michael Papo… who founded the synagogue and preached…His aim was to strengthen the spirit of Judaism…"(Hebrew). The letter is signed by: Jakob Leisner, who wrote the Hebrew version of the letter; Meir Yehudah Irom, and others. Leaf 36X17.5 cm, folded into two.
3. Certificate, written and decorated by hand - present to Rabbi Papo from the Jewish congregation in the internment camp. April 1, 1941. English.
A blue Star of David appears on the top of the leaf, below it, in nice calligraphic script: "Prof. Manfred Papo PH.D. Rabbi of our congregation, respectfully dedicated by its members". Some 30 signatures by hand appear below the dedication. Sheet of paper (42X24.5 cm), folded into two.
4. Handwritten notice - invitation to a festive ceremony in the synagogue on the occasion of Rabbi Papo's departure (program: songs, farewell speech by Rabbi Papo, and more). [ca. 1941]. German. Leaf 30X37.5 cm.
5. Notice, written and illustrated by hand - invitation to
a lecture by Rabbi Papo concerning Sephardic Judaism (preceded by: press review by Jakob Leisner), to be held in the Internment Camp synagogue. [ca. 1941]. German. 32X22.5 cm.
6. Letter from the Internee supervisor in the camp. April, 1941. English.
Letter "to Whom it May Concern" confirming that Rabbi Papo served for many months as consultant to the camp's education office and was responsible for arranging the camp's library which contained about 3,000 books. [1] leaf, 25.5 cm. Signed by hand and stamped with camp's official ink-stamp.
7. Portrait of Manfred Papo, pencil drawing on paper by Ludwig Meidner. A dedication handwritten by Meidner appears below the portrait (German). Ramsey, April 1941. [1] leaf, 28 cm.
Ludwig Meidner (1884-1966), painter and printmaker, one of the leading figures in the German expressionist movement. Meidner studied art in the Breslau academy and later in Paris; in 1907 he settled in Berlin. Under the Nazi regime his name was listed as one of the "degenerate artists". In 1935-1939 he taught in a Jewish school in Cologne and later on fled with his family to London. From London Meidner was deported to the Internment Camps in the Isle of Man and was detained in the camps Mooragh and Hutchinson until the end of 1941.
8-9. Two pencil-drawings on paper - one, portrait of Rabbi Papo. The other - interior of the synagogue.
10. Photograph (of the war days). It is possible that it was taken in the Internment Camps in the Isle of Man. 14X9 cm.
Additional items from the Archive of Rabbi Papo:
11. A printed letter from the secretary of the Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews (Manchester). The letter announces the appointment of Rabbi Papo as Honorary Minister to the congregation and invites to attend the appointment ceremony. July 1942. English. [1] leaf, 20 cm.
12. Official letter from the chairman of the Jewish Refugees Committee, Manchester branch. Sent to Rabbi Papo in Manchester, December 1943. Printed on official stationery and signed by hand.
Letter of gratitude to Rabbi Papo for assistance to the Jewish Refugees Committee, upon his departure from Manchester. [1] leaf, 26 cm.
13. Official certificate issued by the Governor of Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (A British colony, present day Zimbabwe), granting Rabbi Papo the right to conduct wedding ceremonies in Rhodesia. Salisbury, 1944. English. Printed and signed by hand. [1] leaf, 34 cm.
14. Greeting card, written and illustrated by hand, on the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of Michael, Manfred's son. [1] leaf, folded into two, 24.5 cm.
When World War II broke out, 75,000 Germans and Austrians lived in Britain, most of them arrived during the 1930s attempting to flee the Nazi regime. The British government, being concerned that spies and collaborators with the Nazi regime will infiltrate Britian, implemented a policy of detention and imprisonment. First - all German and Austrian men of 16 to 60 years of age were arrested, and later, women were also arrested. In July 1940 the detainees were deported to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea (part of the British Crown protectorates), where several internment camps have been established. Of the thousands of internees in the Isle of Man, the majority was Jewish, and many manifested open opposition to the Nazi Regime. The Jews led a vibrant cultural life in the camps (many of the internees were professors, physicians, scientists and artists). The documents offered here indicate that the Jews also led an active religious and congregational life.
Lot of 14 items. Overall good condition.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Simon Cohen.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $40,000
Unsold
Elaborate silver pendant, crafted for the head of the Judenrat in Lodz Ghetto, Mordechai Chaim Rumkowsky and given to him as a present. Lodz, 5701 [1941].
Silver (marked) cast, engraved and sawn; gilding; zircons.
The pendant consists of three main parts: on the upper part are two heraldic lions standing on two silver bands to which sawn letters have been soldered creating the Hebrew inscription "Litsmann / stadt" [Litzmannstadt], in between the letters is an ornament shaped as scales (possibly to imply the public role of Rumkowsky, who was obliged to use the "Scales of Justice" to take crucial decisions). Set with five zircons. The central part of the pendant, shaped as a case, is attached to the upper part with two suspension loops and is of an oval form surrounded by eight leaf-like ornaments, set with zircons. Within the case, behind a glass window, appears an ornament in the shape of a Torah Scroll with a Star of David inscribed "Shadai", flanked by two lions and topped with a crown (some decorations are sporadically engraved on the inner side of the case cover and on the back plate of the case, and it seems that these decorations were composed of reused silver plates). On the front of the case cover appear the Tablets of the Law, a pair of Shofars, two Stars of David, a pair of lions, crown, and the Hebrew inscription: "Nassi M. Ch. Rumkowsky. 5701. Ghe/tto, Am Israel Hai". The lower part is attached to the central one with a suspension loop and is designed as a Star of David with a five-branched Menorah in its center, on green background, set with zircons.
Mordechai Chaim Rumkowsky (1877-1944) head of the Judenrat in Lodz Ghetto during all of its existence is considered one of the most controversial figures in the history of the holocaust and the ghettos. As Rumkowsky got almost unlimited authority from the Nazis regarding all management and organization of daily life in the ghetto, and had at his disposal the Jewish Police, Rumkowsky kept total order and saw to it that life in the ghetto is conducted in absolute order. Apart from managing public matters in the ghetto, Rumkowsky was ordered to prepare lists of deportations from the ghetto. Rumkowsky believed that through cooperation it will be possible to save some of the Jewish population in the ghetto. In August 1944 Rumkowsky was deported to Auscwitz with the last inmates of the ghetto, there he was murdered, probably on the same day.?In the collection of "Yad Vashem" museum are some unique silver objects created by Jewish silversmiths in Lodz Ghetto during the holocaust, among them a Hanukkah lamp which folds up into the form of a small prayer book, presented to Rumkowsky by Ziso Eybeshitz, manager of the paper factory in the ghetto (the Hanukkah Lamp was found in the rubbles of Rumkowsky's house in the ghetto); a decorated silver case for a Scroll of Esther, also presented to Rumkowsky; pins and a bracelet crafted in the ghetto by the artist Chaim Klieger; and some other items.?Enclosed is a letter from Rabbi Binyamin Szerynski from Jerusalem, who certifies that the pendant belonged to Ya'akov Zvi (Hersch) Yoskovich from Tel-Aviv (1905-1985), a Lodz Ghetto survivor (it is most probable that Yoskovich brought the pendant to Eretz Israel. For more information about him see enclosed material).
Enclosed is an article published in "Yediot Achronot" in 1981, under the headline "Pendant created in Ghetto Lodz - brought to Israel".
Length: 13 cm. Max. width: 7 cm. Good condition. The pendant was cleaned and repaired and the original zircons were replaced by new ones (see photo presenting its original condition, before it was repaired).
Silver (marked) cast, engraved and sawn; gilding; zircons.
The pendant consists of three main parts: on the upper part are two heraldic lions standing on two silver bands to which sawn letters have been soldered creating the Hebrew inscription "Litsmann / stadt" [Litzmannstadt], in between the letters is an ornament shaped as scales (possibly to imply the public role of Rumkowsky, who was obliged to use the "Scales of Justice" to take crucial decisions). Set with five zircons. The central part of the pendant, shaped as a case, is attached to the upper part with two suspension loops and is of an oval form surrounded by eight leaf-like ornaments, set with zircons. Within the case, behind a glass window, appears an ornament in the shape of a Torah Scroll with a Star of David inscribed "Shadai", flanked by two lions and topped with a crown (some decorations are sporadically engraved on the inner side of the case cover and on the back plate of the case, and it seems that these decorations were composed of reused silver plates). On the front of the case cover appear the Tablets of the Law, a pair of Shofars, two Stars of David, a pair of lions, crown, and the Hebrew inscription: "Nassi M. Ch. Rumkowsky. 5701. Ghe/tto, Am Israel Hai". The lower part is attached to the central one with a suspension loop and is designed as a Star of David with a five-branched Menorah in its center, on green background, set with zircons.
Mordechai Chaim Rumkowsky (1877-1944) head of the Judenrat in Lodz Ghetto during all of its existence is considered one of the most controversial figures in the history of the holocaust and the ghettos. As Rumkowsky got almost unlimited authority from the Nazis regarding all management and organization of daily life in the ghetto, and had at his disposal the Jewish Police, Rumkowsky kept total order and saw to it that life in the ghetto is conducted in absolute order. Apart from managing public matters in the ghetto, Rumkowsky was ordered to prepare lists of deportations from the ghetto. Rumkowsky believed that through cooperation it will be possible to save some of the Jewish population in the ghetto. In August 1944 Rumkowsky was deported to Auscwitz with the last inmates of the ghetto, there he was murdered, probably on the same day.?In the collection of "Yad Vashem" museum are some unique silver objects created by Jewish silversmiths in Lodz Ghetto during the holocaust, among them a Hanukkah lamp which folds up into the form of a small prayer book, presented to Rumkowsky by Ziso Eybeshitz, manager of the paper factory in the ghetto (the Hanukkah Lamp was found in the rubbles of Rumkowsky's house in the ghetto); a decorated silver case for a Scroll of Esther, also presented to Rumkowsky; pins and a bracelet crafted in the ghetto by the artist Chaim Klieger; and some other items.?Enclosed is a letter from Rabbi Binyamin Szerynski from Jerusalem, who certifies that the pendant belonged to Ya'akov Zvi (Hersch) Yoskovich from Tel-Aviv (1905-1985), a Lodz Ghetto survivor (it is most probable that Yoskovich brought the pendant to Eretz Israel. For more information about him see enclosed material).
Enclosed is an article published in "Yediot Achronot" in 1981, under the headline "Pendant created in Ghetto Lodz - brought to Israel".
Length: 13 cm. Max. width: 7 cm. Good condition. The pendant was cleaned and repaired and the original zircons were replaced by new ones (see photo presenting its original condition, before it was repaired).
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,800
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Illustrated artistic photo album created by Eva Kováč (née Schillová, April 1924, Bratislava), a Jewish Czechoslovak woman, detailing her life and the lives of her family and friends from her childhood in Bratislava in the 1930s, through the Holocaust and her immigration to Israel in 1949.
The album was carefully illustrated by Eva, with photographs, collages and hand-drawn colorful illustrations, annotated with handwritten notes and captions in Czech, Slovak and scattered German, English and Hebrew. Shown in the many hundreds of images, photographs and illustrations are family members, locations where the family lived and to which they traveled, scenes from their personal lives, and Holocaust, She’erit HaPleita, Zionist and Aliyah-related themes.
The first 83 pages of the album cover the period from the early 1930s to the early 1940s, with photos and descriptions of family, friends, holidays, travels, school, work and leisure.
This seemingly cheerful mood makes an ominous change for the worse in the following pages. On page 84, Eva draws a swastika and announces, “July 12, 1944: I received my ID card” and “September 1, 1944: The Germans occupy Bratislava.” Attached to the page is a German-Czech ID card, its cover stamped with an ink-stamp stating “Žid” [Jew]. On page 85, the handwritten captions next to two of the photos state “March 7: Sered” and “March 9: Terezin”, indicating that Eva and her family were deported from Bratislava, first to Sered labor camp and from there to Theresienstadt concentration camp.
Page 86 illustrates the family’s incarceration at Theresienstadt. The page is headlined “Terezin!” and it has a Jewish Yellow Star attached. Also attached are a Theresienstadt Ghetto Health Service label, a photo of a Theresienstadt 100 Mark bill, and a caricature of a man wearing a concentration camp uniform - with Eva’s father’s head pasted on - pushing a wheelbarrow. At the bottom of the page are two handwritten texts, stating “April 21, 1945: The Red Cross comes to Terezin” and “May 10, 1945: Victory of the foreign army!” [Theresienstadt was liberated by Soviet troops two days earlier.]
The following page describes the journey back home from Theresienstadt (“Repatriates’ journey to his homeland”), with photos of friends of the family and the different concentration camps (eg Auschwitz and Mauthausen). Page 89 is a memorial page dedicated to friends who did not survive the Holocaust: “Where are their graves? Where are their ashes?” with photos of these friends and the names of the death camps in which they were murdered.
Pages 90-126 cover the years 1945-1947, illustrated with depictions of family, friends, leisure, work, etc. Mention of Palestine appears for the first time on page 127: “The path to a new life - the path to Palestine!” References to aliyah and Zionism appear at an increasing rate over the next few pages. Page 135 describes a family visit to Palestine in November 1947. However, this was only a holiday, as pages 139-140 describe Eva’s engagement and wedding to Ladislav Kováč (1921-1988), on May 9, 1948 in Bratislava. The wedding invitation - with the wedding date in Hebrew - is attached to the back of page 139. Page 144 and its facing page are dedicated to the Gordoniada, the Young Maccabi Jewish sports event that took place in Bratislava on July 4-5, 1948, “in celebration of the founding of the state of Israel.”
On page 147, we see an illustration of suitcases and the text “Beginning a new chapter - our life in Israel.” The following few pages show the family’s journey to Israel via ship. Eva traveled first, arriving in Israel on January 1, 1949 (page 148), and she was followed soon after by Ladislav (page 149). The couple reunited in Tel Aviv on February 13, 1949. The last few pages of the album (pp 150-155) describe the couple settling down in Israel, their new home in Shchunat HaTikva in Tel Aviv, the arrival of Eva’s parents to Israel, and the birth of their son Gabriel in July 1949.
The combination of imaginative illustrations and handwritten annotations in the album transform it from a mundane photographic record into a unique visual diary, a fascinating graphic document offering an important insight into the lives of one European Jewish family during the tumultuous years of the middle of the 20th century.
Included with the album are a few associated documents and items belonging to the family, a number of which are related to She’erit HaPleita: · Czechoslovakia ID card, in the name of Sžimon Schill [Eva’s father]. Bratislava, October 14, 1946. With photo. · Central Zionist Federation of Czechoslovakia membership card, in the name of Eva Schillová. Bratislava, August 1, 1947. · Czech Federation of Anti-Fascist Political Prisoners [SPROV] membership card, in the name of Šimon Schill. Bratislava, April 24, 1948. With photo. · American Joint Distribution Committee (Austrian Operations) Health Card, in the name of Ladsilau Kovacs. January 7, 1949. With photo. · Jewish Agency for Palestine Immigration Certificate [Te’udat Aliyah], in the name of Ladislav Kovač. Vienna, February 1949. With photo. · Histradrut HaMizrachi in Eretz Israel membership card, in the name of Ladislav Kováč (stating his Hebrew name, Menachem Kovac). Tel Aviv, September 19, 1950. With photo.
194 leaves, of which the first 155 are illustrated and the remainder blank. 33.5 cm. Original half-cloth marbled boards. Overall Very Good condition, with age-related spotting and stains. Scuffs to the covers. Split along the middle half of the back external joint.
The album was carefully illustrated by Eva, with photographs, collages and hand-drawn colorful illustrations, annotated with handwritten notes and captions in Czech, Slovak and scattered German, English and Hebrew. Shown in the many hundreds of images, photographs and illustrations are family members, locations where the family lived and to which they traveled, scenes from their personal lives, and Holocaust, She’erit HaPleita, Zionist and Aliyah-related themes.
The first 83 pages of the album cover the period from the early 1930s to the early 1940s, with photos and descriptions of family, friends, holidays, travels, school, work and leisure.
This seemingly cheerful mood makes an ominous change for the worse in the following pages. On page 84, Eva draws a swastika and announces, “July 12, 1944: I received my ID card” and “September 1, 1944: The Germans occupy Bratislava.” Attached to the page is a German-Czech ID card, its cover stamped with an ink-stamp stating “Žid” [Jew]. On page 85, the handwritten captions next to two of the photos state “March 7: Sered” and “March 9: Terezin”, indicating that Eva and her family were deported from Bratislava, first to Sered labor camp and from there to Theresienstadt concentration camp.
Page 86 illustrates the family’s incarceration at Theresienstadt. The page is headlined “Terezin!” and it has a Jewish Yellow Star attached. Also attached are a Theresienstadt Ghetto Health Service label, a photo of a Theresienstadt 100 Mark bill, and a caricature of a man wearing a concentration camp uniform - with Eva’s father’s head pasted on - pushing a wheelbarrow. At the bottom of the page are two handwritten texts, stating “April 21, 1945: The Red Cross comes to Terezin” and “May 10, 1945: Victory of the foreign army!” [Theresienstadt was liberated by Soviet troops two days earlier.]
The following page describes the journey back home from Theresienstadt (“Repatriates’ journey to his homeland”), with photos of friends of the family and the different concentration camps (eg Auschwitz and Mauthausen). Page 89 is a memorial page dedicated to friends who did not survive the Holocaust: “Where are their graves? Where are their ashes?” with photos of these friends and the names of the death camps in which they were murdered.
Pages 90-126 cover the years 1945-1947, illustrated with depictions of family, friends, leisure, work, etc. Mention of Palestine appears for the first time on page 127: “The path to a new life - the path to Palestine!” References to aliyah and Zionism appear at an increasing rate over the next few pages. Page 135 describes a family visit to Palestine in November 1947. However, this was only a holiday, as pages 139-140 describe Eva’s engagement and wedding to Ladislav Kováč (1921-1988), on May 9, 1948 in Bratislava. The wedding invitation - with the wedding date in Hebrew - is attached to the back of page 139. Page 144 and its facing page are dedicated to the Gordoniada, the Young Maccabi Jewish sports event that took place in Bratislava on July 4-5, 1948, “in celebration of the founding of the state of Israel.”
On page 147, we see an illustration of suitcases and the text “Beginning a new chapter - our life in Israel.” The following few pages show the family’s journey to Israel via ship. Eva traveled first, arriving in Israel on January 1, 1949 (page 148), and she was followed soon after by Ladislav (page 149). The couple reunited in Tel Aviv on February 13, 1949. The last few pages of the album (pp 150-155) describe the couple settling down in Israel, their new home in Shchunat HaTikva in Tel Aviv, the arrival of Eva’s parents to Israel, and the birth of their son Gabriel in July 1949.
The combination of imaginative illustrations and handwritten annotations in the album transform it from a mundane photographic record into a unique visual diary, a fascinating graphic document offering an important insight into the lives of one European Jewish family during the tumultuous years of the middle of the 20th century.
Included with the album are a few associated documents and items belonging to the family, a number of which are related to She’erit HaPleita: · Czechoslovakia ID card, in the name of Sžimon Schill [Eva’s father]. Bratislava, October 14, 1946. With photo. · Central Zionist Federation of Czechoslovakia membership card, in the name of Eva Schillová. Bratislava, August 1, 1947. · Czech Federation of Anti-Fascist Political Prisoners [SPROV] membership card, in the name of Šimon Schill. Bratislava, April 24, 1948. With photo. · American Joint Distribution Committee (Austrian Operations) Health Card, in the name of Ladsilau Kovacs. January 7, 1949. With photo. · Jewish Agency for Palestine Immigration Certificate [Te’udat Aliyah], in the name of Ladislav Kovač. Vienna, February 1949. With photo. · Histradrut HaMizrachi in Eretz Israel membership card, in the name of Ladislav Kováč (stating his Hebrew name, Menachem Kovac). Tel Aviv, September 19, 1950. With photo.
194 leaves, of which the first 155 are illustrated and the remainder blank. 33.5 cm. Original half-cloth marbled boards. Overall Very Good condition, with age-related spotting and stains. Scuffs to the covers. Split along the middle half of the back external joint.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $11,250
Including buyer's premium
Album with 28 photographs taken by S.S. soldier Heinz Jost , 18 of which are from his well-known collection of photographs from the Warsaw Ghetto, and 10 additional photographs, most probably from the period he served as commander of Einsatzgruppe-A. Warsaw and other locations in Poland and around it, 1941 [until 1942].
Album with 28 photographs attributed to the war criminal and Nuremberg Trials convict Heinz Jost (1904-1962), who documented through his camera Jewish life in the Warsaw Ghetto in September 1941. The collection of Heinz Jost which consists of approximately 140 photographs, was revealed in 1979 by his acquaintance, the journalist Günther Schwarberg (1926-2008), who submitted them to "Yad Vashem" (without the negatives, the whereabouts of which are unknown).
Jost testified about the photographs: "I wandered through the streets behind the walls and photographed what I saw. Until then I knew nothing about what was happening behind the Ghetto walls… the starving people did not ask me for food since I was dressed as a German soldier. They were lying near houses, among the dead, and no one paid any attention to them any more…", (in: "A Day in the Warsaw Ghetto: A Birthday Trip in Hell, 19.9.1941" (Hebrew), catalogue of an exhibition in "Yad Vashem" museum, Jerusalem, 1988).
The album offered here features photographs which were developed from the original negatives, as well as photographs which did not appear in the collection which was submitted to "Yad Vashem":
· 18 photographs of Warsaw Ghetto, among them: photograph of a woman selling armbands with a Star of David, photograph of a Jewish violinist in the Ghetto, two Jewish women in a cart, and some other photographs depicting the life and hardships of Jews in the Ghetto.
· 10 photographs which are not found in Jost's collection depicting soldiers and refugees, some on the background of rural landscape. In one photograph a sign is seen pointing the way to Vitebsk, Gusino and other locations where Jewish communities were extinguished by Einsatzgruppe soldiers early in 1942 (when Jost was commander of Unit A).
On the title page appears an inscription in Russian, stating that the photographs were found in the belongings of a dead German soldier in Gdynia in northern Poland, in 1945.
Total of 28 photographs. Photographs: approximately 9X6.5 cm. Album 10.5X8 cm., overall good condition. Some stains and tears to album leaves. Front cover loose. Short inscription in German from 1939 appears on the first leaf.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Simon Cohen.
Album with 28 photographs attributed to the war criminal and Nuremberg Trials convict Heinz Jost (1904-1962), who documented through his camera Jewish life in the Warsaw Ghetto in September 1941. The collection of Heinz Jost which consists of approximately 140 photographs, was revealed in 1979 by his acquaintance, the journalist Günther Schwarberg (1926-2008), who submitted them to "Yad Vashem" (without the negatives, the whereabouts of which are unknown).
Jost testified about the photographs: "I wandered through the streets behind the walls and photographed what I saw. Until then I knew nothing about what was happening behind the Ghetto walls… the starving people did not ask me for food since I was dressed as a German soldier. They were lying near houses, among the dead, and no one paid any attention to them any more…", (in: "A Day in the Warsaw Ghetto: A Birthday Trip in Hell, 19.9.1941" (Hebrew), catalogue of an exhibition in "Yad Vashem" museum, Jerusalem, 1988).
The album offered here features photographs which were developed from the original negatives, as well as photographs which did not appear in the collection which was submitted to "Yad Vashem":
· 18 photographs of Warsaw Ghetto, among them: photograph of a woman selling armbands with a Star of David, photograph of a Jewish violinist in the Ghetto, two Jewish women in a cart, and some other photographs depicting the life and hardships of Jews in the Ghetto.
· 10 photographs which are not found in Jost's collection depicting soldiers and refugees, some on the background of rural landscape. In one photograph a sign is seen pointing the way to Vitebsk, Gusino and other locations where Jewish communities were extinguished by Einsatzgruppe soldiers early in 1942 (when Jost was commander of Unit A).
On the title page appears an inscription in Russian, stating that the photographs were found in the belongings of a dead German soldier in Gdynia in northern Poland, in 1945.
Total of 28 photographs. Photographs: approximately 9X6.5 cm. Album 10.5X8 cm., overall good condition. Some stains and tears to album leaves. Front cover loose. Short inscription in German from 1939 appears on the first leaf.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Simon Cohen.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Lot 151 Israel Kastner - Archive of Letters, Protocols and Certificates, Mid-1940s through Mid-1950s
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $30,000
Unsold
An archive of about 170 original letters, protocols, drafts, certificates and documents related to the Kastner Affair. Budapest, Geneva, Stockholm, London, Paris, Haifa, Tel-Aviv and more cities, mid-1940s through mid-1950s. German, Hungarian, English, some Hebrew and some Yiddish.
An archive of documents from two major periods in Israel Kastner's life: "Blood for Goods" - Kastner's days as head of the "Va'ad HaEzra veHaHatzalah" (Relief and Rescue Committee), when he tried to formulate a deal with the Germans for rescuing Hungarian Jews; "Nuremberg Trials" - Kastner's days towards the end of the war, when he testified, interrogated and supplied reports about the German officers and their operations during the war; as well as additional documents of various kinds.
The archive was collected by the holocaust researcher Dov Dinur, in attempt to provide useful information to the investigators during the Nuremberg trials. Dinur gathered tens of documents from the private archive of the family, rare certificates from all over Europe (the access to these documents was banned by Communist Russia several years after the collection), research materials that were sent to him per his request by academics, and more.
Items related to "Blood for Goods" deal:
· " Der Bericht des Jüdischen Rettungskomitees aus Budapest 1942-1945", 55 leaves out of an early draft of the special report composed by Kastner about the operation of Relief and Rescue Committee, in 1946. This testimony is the only one that Kastner submitted as chairman of the committee, and the draft in this archive contains major differences from the one which was eventually published. Typewritten, with deletions, comments and many corrections by hand; several handwritten leaves.
· Six documents from August 1944 - a draft composed by Kastner and Sally Mayer (1875-1953, president of the Jewish Congregations in Switzerland during the war), with an early version of the essence of negotiations with the Germans, from August 30, 1944 (original carbon copy of a typewritten document), and five notes and printed leaves stating the sources of finance, the sums raised and additional data towards the negotiations.
· Five reports (original carbon copies of typewritten documents), composed by Kastner in the months of July-August 1944 following his meetings with Adolf Eichmann, Kurt Becher, Hermann Krumey, Edmond Veesenmayer and Dieter (named in the report "Willy"). Hungarian.
· Eleven letters (Original carbon copies of typewritten letters) of Kastner's correspondence with his colleagues in the Relief and Rescue Committee, among them Sally Mayer, Nathan Schwalb and others. Additional items.
Items on the Subject of the "Nuremberg Trials":
· Three letters from senior S.S. officer Kurt Becher (1909-1995) - chief representative of Nazi Germany in the negotiations with the Relief and Rescue Committee, from the time the trial against him was held. The letters are typewritten, all hand signed by Becher and dated August 1947. Two were addressed to a woman whose name is not mentioned, and the third to Kastner himself. Becher expresses in the letter his gratitude for the testimoney delivered by Kastner in his trial (testimony which finally led to Becher's acquittal) and asks, in light of the mutual trust between them, that Kastner help him with a financial loan. [4], [1], [5] leaves. German.
· Photocopy (Xerox) of a protocol of Kurt Becher's interrogation of June 7, 1947, held with Kastner's participation.
· Three protocols of interrogations of senior Nazis Ebenhard von Thadden, Edmond Veesenmayer, and Erich von dem Bach Zelewski, conducted with Kastners participation in the Nuremberg trials, in the months April-March 1948. Two protocols are original carbon copies of typewritten documents and one, probably, is an original typewritten copy. 18, 18, 27 pp.
· Copy of a telegram sent by Veesenmayer (see above) on April 21, 1944, with a detailed report about murder of Jews on April 20 and 21, 1944. Addressed to Karl Ritter of the Foreign Ministry, [2] leaves.
· Report composed by Kastner about Walter Scholenberg and his role in applying the Final Solution. Presented to a researcher named Hardy and dated May 3, 1948.
· Additional items.
Various Items:
· 18 letters out of personal correspondence between Kastner and his family (his brother Erno, his father in law Joska Fischer) while he was in Geneva between 1945 and 1947.
· Report composed by Prof. Yehudah Bauer about the role of the Joint in Europe and the affair of the Hungarian Jews in particular.
Enclosed is Dov Dinur's book: "Kastner, Giluyim Chadashim al HaIsh U-Po'alo" [Kastner: New discoveries of the man and his work]. Haifa, 1987.
Size and condition vary. Fair-good overall condition. Folding marks, stains. Creases and tears (mainly small, at margins of documents). Inscriptions in pencil and in pen on some items.
An archive of documents from two major periods in Israel Kastner's life: "Blood for Goods" - Kastner's days as head of the "Va'ad HaEzra veHaHatzalah" (Relief and Rescue Committee), when he tried to formulate a deal with the Germans for rescuing Hungarian Jews; "Nuremberg Trials" - Kastner's days towards the end of the war, when he testified, interrogated and supplied reports about the German officers and their operations during the war; as well as additional documents of various kinds.
The archive was collected by the holocaust researcher Dov Dinur, in attempt to provide useful information to the investigators during the Nuremberg trials. Dinur gathered tens of documents from the private archive of the family, rare certificates from all over Europe (the access to these documents was banned by Communist Russia several years after the collection), research materials that were sent to him per his request by academics, and more.
Items related to "Blood for Goods" deal:
· " Der Bericht des Jüdischen Rettungskomitees aus Budapest 1942-1945", 55 leaves out of an early draft of the special report composed by Kastner about the operation of Relief and Rescue Committee, in 1946. This testimony is the only one that Kastner submitted as chairman of the committee, and the draft in this archive contains major differences from the one which was eventually published. Typewritten, with deletions, comments and many corrections by hand; several handwritten leaves.
· Six documents from August 1944 - a draft composed by Kastner and Sally Mayer (1875-1953, president of the Jewish Congregations in Switzerland during the war), with an early version of the essence of negotiations with the Germans, from August 30, 1944 (original carbon copy of a typewritten document), and five notes and printed leaves stating the sources of finance, the sums raised and additional data towards the negotiations.
· Five reports (original carbon copies of typewritten documents), composed by Kastner in the months of July-August 1944 following his meetings with Adolf Eichmann, Kurt Becher, Hermann Krumey, Edmond Veesenmayer and Dieter (named in the report "Willy"). Hungarian.
· Eleven letters (Original carbon copies of typewritten letters) of Kastner's correspondence with his colleagues in the Relief and Rescue Committee, among them Sally Mayer, Nathan Schwalb and others. Additional items.
Items on the Subject of the "Nuremberg Trials":
· Three letters from senior S.S. officer Kurt Becher (1909-1995) - chief representative of Nazi Germany in the negotiations with the Relief and Rescue Committee, from the time the trial against him was held. The letters are typewritten, all hand signed by Becher and dated August 1947. Two were addressed to a woman whose name is not mentioned, and the third to Kastner himself. Becher expresses in the letter his gratitude for the testimoney delivered by Kastner in his trial (testimony which finally led to Becher's acquittal) and asks, in light of the mutual trust between them, that Kastner help him with a financial loan. [4], [1], [5] leaves. German.
· Photocopy (Xerox) of a protocol of Kurt Becher's interrogation of June 7, 1947, held with Kastner's participation.
· Three protocols of interrogations of senior Nazis Ebenhard von Thadden, Edmond Veesenmayer, and Erich von dem Bach Zelewski, conducted with Kastners participation in the Nuremberg trials, in the months April-March 1948. Two protocols are original carbon copies of typewritten documents and one, probably, is an original typewritten copy. 18, 18, 27 pp.
· Copy of a telegram sent by Veesenmayer (see above) on April 21, 1944, with a detailed report about murder of Jews on April 20 and 21, 1944. Addressed to Karl Ritter of the Foreign Ministry, [2] leaves.
· Report composed by Kastner about Walter Scholenberg and his role in applying the Final Solution. Presented to a researcher named Hardy and dated May 3, 1948.
· Additional items.
Various Items:
· 18 letters out of personal correspondence between Kastner and his family (his brother Erno, his father in law Joska Fischer) while he was in Geneva between 1945 and 1947.
· Report composed by Prof. Yehudah Bauer about the role of the Joint in Europe and the affair of the Hungarian Jews in particular.
Enclosed is Dov Dinur's book: "Kastner, Giluyim Chadashim al HaIsh U-Po'alo" [Kastner: New discoveries of the man and his work]. Haifa, 1987.
Size and condition vary. Fair-good overall condition. Folding marks, stains. Creases and tears (mainly small, at margins of documents). Inscriptions in pencil and in pen on some items.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
"The Road to Victory," a color board game depicting the war between the Allied Forces and Nazi Germany. No printer or designer indicated. [Eretz Israel, 1942]. Hebrew.
The game board shows a 100-square path leading to Victory, consisting of one hundred stations located in North Africa and Europe. Along the path are color illustrations depicting various war scenes - British soldiers, tanks, warplanes and ships, an attack by Australian soldiers, a Japanese spy equipped with a camera, Spitfire and Messerschmitt planes, a British ship hitting a mine, a German ship sinking, and more. Progressing through the game leads to the defeat of the German Army. Near the end of the course Mussolini is shot, station 94 depicts Hitler's abduction, and the last station shows the surrender of the German army, illustrated by a kneeling German armored unit commander.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to reach the end of the course. Players advance by throwing dice and fulfilling the instructions at the different stations. (Red squares along the course impede progress, and green squares advance it. Instructions regarding the stations are printed on the bottom-center part of the board.) The game is intended for up to six players, with each player representing one of the Allied Forces: British, American, Russian, Chinese, Australian or Eretz Israeli.
The game was published in three versions - Hebrew, Arabic and English.
This is a scarce item.
Board 34X46.5 cm, folded in two. The back of the board shows the name of the game and the playing instructions. Good-fair condition. The top two corners are missing and professionally restored. Tears (to both sides of the board), some with damage to text. Stains. Scribbles in pencil and colored pencils.
See: "The Road to Victory: A WW2 Game" by Gadi Kfir, in: "Blog Games - the Gadi Kfir Blog" on the "HaAretz" website (Hebrew).
The game board shows a 100-square path leading to Victory, consisting of one hundred stations located in North Africa and Europe. Along the path are color illustrations depicting various war scenes - British soldiers, tanks, warplanes and ships, an attack by Australian soldiers, a Japanese spy equipped with a camera, Spitfire and Messerschmitt planes, a British ship hitting a mine, a German ship sinking, and more. Progressing through the game leads to the defeat of the German Army. Near the end of the course Mussolini is shot, station 94 depicts Hitler's abduction, and the last station shows the surrender of the German army, illustrated by a kneeling German armored unit commander.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to reach the end of the course. Players advance by throwing dice and fulfilling the instructions at the different stations. (Red squares along the course impede progress, and green squares advance it. Instructions regarding the stations are printed on the bottom-center part of the board.) The game is intended for up to six players, with each player representing one of the Allied Forces: British, American, Russian, Chinese, Australian or Eretz Israeli.
The game was published in three versions - Hebrew, Arabic and English.
This is a scarce item.
Board 34X46.5 cm, folded in two. The back of the board shows the name of the game and the playing instructions. Good-fair condition. The top two corners are missing and professionally restored. Tears (to both sides of the board), some with damage to text. Stains. Scribbles in pencil and colored pencils.
See: "The Road to Victory: A WW2 Game" by Gadi Kfir, in: "Blog Games - the Gadi Kfir Blog" on the "HaAretz" website (Hebrew).
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
![Haggadah, "Sier Company". Place of printing not mentioned [Holland?], Nissan 5703 [April 1943]. German and some Heb](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/153.jpg "Non-Traditional Haggadah - Holocaust Period - Europe, 1943")
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Haggadah, "Sier Company". Place of printing not mentioned [Holland?], Nissan 5703 [April 1943]. German and some Hebrew.
Non traditional Haggadah. Stenciled typewritten text, with illustrations.
This Haggadah was, most probably, printed clandestinely, in Europe, during World War II. The text and illustrations express the distressful life in Europe and more so the aspiration to reach Eretz Israel: on the page preceding the title page appears the word "Geula!" (Hebrew: freedom); on page 4 appears in very large letters "LeShana Haba'a BeYerushalayim" (next year in Jerusalem); on page [21] are verses from the song "Techezakna", and the inscription "Aliya!" within a shining sun. In contrast: on the title page - illustration of handcuffed arms and a hand flying the flag of Israel; on pages [13-14] - a long picturesque text depicting a pogrom against Jews in Poland and life in the Ghetto, in hiding, killing, robbery, deportation and disappearance of relatives; and on page [22], under the title "vehigadeta lebincha bayom hahu" (and you shall tell your son on that day) appears an ideological text, about how "we survived life in exile only because of our strong faith that we shall be free again…and while this period is atrocious we have to repent all our mistakes. While our pioneers fought and overcame all obstacles with blood and tears, we wasted our lives negligibly. Today we swear to repair whatever there is left to repair…".
A dedication is printed on the first page: "Chawer Schuschu Simon, Deinem Andenken ist, diese Hagadah gewidmet" [this Haggadah is dedicated to the memory of Schuschu Simon]. "Schuschu" (Shushu) was the nickname of Joachim Simon (1919-1943), a German Jew born in Berlin, who together with his wife and with the aid of the Dutch underground, smuggled Jews out of Holland during the holocaust. Schuschu was caught in action in southern Holland in January 1943 and committed suicide in prison.
We have not been successful in discovering what "Sier company" was and on behalf of whom this Haggadah was printed, but the contents might imply that it was printed by some underground group active in Europe during the war and it is probable that it was related to the pioneers' underground in Holland.
[26] leaves (irregular pagination), 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Worming to lower margins throughout all the leaves. Stains. Some tears and wear. New cardboard and cloth binding.
Bibliographically unknown.
Non traditional Haggadah. Stenciled typewritten text, with illustrations.
This Haggadah was, most probably, printed clandestinely, in Europe, during World War II. The text and illustrations express the distressful life in Europe and more so the aspiration to reach Eretz Israel: on the page preceding the title page appears the word "Geula!" (Hebrew: freedom); on page 4 appears in very large letters "LeShana Haba'a BeYerushalayim" (next year in Jerusalem); on page [21] are verses from the song "Techezakna", and the inscription "Aliya!" within a shining sun. In contrast: on the title page - illustration of handcuffed arms and a hand flying the flag of Israel; on pages [13-14] - a long picturesque text depicting a pogrom against Jews in Poland and life in the Ghetto, in hiding, killing, robbery, deportation and disappearance of relatives; and on page [22], under the title "vehigadeta lebincha bayom hahu" (and you shall tell your son on that day) appears an ideological text, about how "we survived life in exile only because of our strong faith that we shall be free again…and while this period is atrocious we have to repent all our mistakes. While our pioneers fought and overcame all obstacles with blood and tears, we wasted our lives negligibly. Today we swear to repair whatever there is left to repair…".
A dedication is printed on the first page: "Chawer Schuschu Simon, Deinem Andenken ist, diese Hagadah gewidmet" [this Haggadah is dedicated to the memory of Schuschu Simon]. "Schuschu" (Shushu) was the nickname of Joachim Simon (1919-1943), a German Jew born in Berlin, who together with his wife and with the aid of the Dutch underground, smuggled Jews out of Holland during the holocaust. Schuschu was caught in action in southern Holland in January 1943 and committed suicide in prison.
We have not been successful in discovering what "Sier company" was and on behalf of whom this Haggadah was printed, but the contents might imply that it was printed by some underground group active in Europe during the war and it is probable that it was related to the pioneers' underground in Holland.
[26] leaves (irregular pagination), 29.5 cm. Fair condition. Worming to lower margins throughout all the leaves. Stains. Some tears and wear. New cardboard and cloth binding.
Bibliographically unknown.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
![Approximately 200 photographs from Atlit Detention Camp. Atlit, [ca.1947].
An extensive collection of photographs depicting](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/154_1.jpg "Extensive Collection of Photographs - Atlit and Latroun Detention Camp")
![Approximately 200 photographs from Atlit Detention Camp. Atlit, [ca.1947].
An extensive collection of photographs depicting](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/154_2.jpg "Extensive Collection of Photographs - Atlit and Latroun Detention Camp")
![Approximately 200 photographs from Atlit Detention Camp. Atlit, [ca.1947].
An extensive collection of photographs depicting](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/154_3.jpg "Extensive Collection of Photographs - Atlit and Latroun Detention Camp")
![Approximately 200 photographs from Atlit Detention Camp. Atlit, [ca.1947].
An extensive collection of photographs depicting](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale53-public/154_4.jpg "Extensive Collection of Photographs - Atlit and Latroun Detention Camp")
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,000
Sold for: $4,250
Including buyer's premium
Approximately 200 photographs from Atlit Detention Camp. Atlit, [ca.1947].
An extensive collection of photographs depicting daily life in Atlit Detention camp, while "Haganah", Etzel and Lehi members were imprisoned there.
Atlit Detention Camp operated since 1940 until after the establishment of the State of Israel, and during most of its years of existence was used to detain Jewish illegal immigrants. Following the "Black Sabbath" (June 29, 1946) members of "Haganah", Etzel and Lehi were also imprisoned there. Jewish prisoners transferred from the central prison in Jerusalem and detainees who were returned from detention camps in Kenya were all also imprisoned in Atlit. In 1987 the camp was declared a National Heritage site commemorating illegal immigration (Ha'apala) and Aliya to Israel.
Some of the photographs are titled on the reverse "In Atlit Camp", and bear short captions with names of the photographed, or the circumstance when the pictures were taken: "time of Gemara study in the Atlit detention camp synagogue", "Entrance to Atlit camp, photographed by Mina, a detainee in Atlit camp for girls", "Husband and wife detained. The wife - beauty queen of Atlit camp", "Our exterior supervisor overlooks the Carmel 'smiling' in the distance", and more. One photograph (in a format larger than others) is titled and dated - "Leil Haseder" 5707 [April 1947]. An additional photograph is titled on the reverse in Hebrew: "Latroun - the guys conquered the armored vehicle" and was most probably taken in Latroun Detention Camp.
The photographs depict daily life in Atlit camp (apparently, some depict daily life in Latroun Camp); Leisure time activities, interior of barracks, exercises and sports, reading, formations around the flag, lowering the flag at evening, dining room, laundry, gate to women's camp, and more.
Average size of most photographs: 8.5X6 cm. Two 9X14 cm photographs and one 4X3 cm photograph. Good overall condition. Some stains and damages to margins.
An extensive collection of photographs depicting daily life in Atlit Detention camp, while "Haganah", Etzel and Lehi members were imprisoned there.
Atlit Detention Camp operated since 1940 until after the establishment of the State of Israel, and during most of its years of existence was used to detain Jewish illegal immigrants. Following the "Black Sabbath" (June 29, 1946) members of "Haganah", Etzel and Lehi were also imprisoned there. Jewish prisoners transferred from the central prison in Jerusalem and detainees who were returned from detention camps in Kenya were all also imprisoned in Atlit. In 1987 the camp was declared a National Heritage site commemorating illegal immigration (Ha'apala) and Aliya to Israel.
Some of the photographs are titled on the reverse "In Atlit Camp", and bear short captions with names of the photographed, or the circumstance when the pictures were taken: "time of Gemara study in the Atlit detention camp synagogue", "Entrance to Atlit camp, photographed by Mina, a detainee in Atlit camp for girls", "Husband and wife detained. The wife - beauty queen of Atlit camp", "Our exterior supervisor overlooks the Carmel 'smiling' in the distance", and more. One photograph (in a format larger than others) is titled and dated - "Leil Haseder" 5707 [April 1947]. An additional photograph is titled on the reverse in Hebrew: "Latroun - the guys conquered the armored vehicle" and was most probably taken in Latroun Detention Camp.
The photographs depict daily life in Atlit camp (apparently, some depict daily life in Latroun Camp); Leisure time activities, interior of barracks, exercises and sports, reading, formations around the flag, lowering the flag at evening, dining room, laundry, gate to women's camp, and more.
Average size of most photographs: 8.5X6 cm. Two 9X14 cm photographs and one 4X3 cm photograph. Good overall condition. Some stains and damages to margins.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $2,500
Unsold
A collection of personal items that belonged to Etzel fighter Pesach Ostashinsky, who sailed on board the Altalena to Eretz Israel.
Five items that belonged to Etzel fighter Pesach Ostashinsky, "Second Front" member of Etzel (branch of the organization outside of Israel) in Italy, assisted in the preparations for the "Altalena" operation and sailed on board the ship:
1. Steel Bayonet, made by "Sandel". A small plaque is attached to the handle with the Hebrew inscription "Altalena", and above it image of the ship and the Etzel emblem.
58 cm, in a leather sheath. Fair-poor condition. Rust and substantial corrosion. The plaque in good condition.
2. Original photograph taken on the deck of "Altalena" while it was on its way to Eretz Israel. The photograph shows, most probably, Pesach Ostashinsky wearing a helmet with Etzel emblem, holding a gun, and behind him one of the ship's photographers holding a camera. Titled by hand: "Altalena 1948".
10.5X7.5 cm. Fair condition. Creases and tears to margins.
3-4. "Ot Hativat HaGolah", decoration (medal) with emblem of Etzel on the background of a globe, decorated with olive branches. Attached to a blue ribbon with two white stripes; a permit-certificate allowing to wear the badge "Ot Hativat HaGola" which was granted to Pesach Ostashinsky, signed by Menachem Begin, Eliyahu Lankin, Eli Tavin and Eitan Livni. 1966.
Certificate approximately 30X23 cm. Diameter of decoration (medal): 3.5 cm. Framed. Unexamined out of frame.
5. Large portrait photograph of Menachem Begin, signed and dedicated to Pesach Ostashinsky from Menachem Begin.
Photograph: 40X30 cm. Good condition. Framed. Unexamined out of frame.
The ship "Altalena" sailed in June 1948, and was designated to carry weapons for the Jewish fighting force in the War of Independence. The sailing of the ship was one of the most complex operations carried out by the Etzel organization. When the ship reached the shores of Israel, harsh disputes erupted between the Yishuv leadership and the heads of Etzel, and following a failing attempt to negotiate and a short ultimatum granted to the staff, "Altalena" was attacked and drowned by IDF forces.
In the book by "Altalena" commander, Eliyahu Lankin, Ostashinsky is mentioned in the list of fighters on board of "Altalena".
Literature:
1. Story of Altalena Commander (Hebrew), Eliyahu Lankin. Published by "Hadar", Tel-Aviv, 1974, p. 333.
2. "Altalena", Shlomo Nakdimon. Published by "Idanim", Jerusalem, 1978.
Five items that belonged to Etzel fighter Pesach Ostashinsky, "Second Front" member of Etzel (branch of the organization outside of Israel) in Italy, assisted in the preparations for the "Altalena" operation and sailed on board the ship:
1. Steel Bayonet, made by "Sandel". A small plaque is attached to the handle with the Hebrew inscription "Altalena", and above it image of the ship and the Etzel emblem.
58 cm, in a leather sheath. Fair-poor condition. Rust and substantial corrosion. The plaque in good condition.
2. Original photograph taken on the deck of "Altalena" while it was on its way to Eretz Israel. The photograph shows, most probably, Pesach Ostashinsky wearing a helmet with Etzel emblem, holding a gun, and behind him one of the ship's photographers holding a camera. Titled by hand: "Altalena 1948".
10.5X7.5 cm. Fair condition. Creases and tears to margins.
3-4. "Ot Hativat HaGolah", decoration (medal) with emblem of Etzel on the background of a globe, decorated with olive branches. Attached to a blue ribbon with two white stripes; a permit-certificate allowing to wear the badge "Ot Hativat HaGola" which was granted to Pesach Ostashinsky, signed by Menachem Begin, Eliyahu Lankin, Eli Tavin and Eitan Livni. 1966.
Certificate approximately 30X23 cm. Diameter of decoration (medal): 3.5 cm. Framed. Unexamined out of frame.
5. Large portrait photograph of Menachem Begin, signed and dedicated to Pesach Ostashinsky from Menachem Begin.
Photograph: 40X30 cm. Good condition. Framed. Unexamined out of frame.
The ship "Altalena" sailed in June 1948, and was designated to carry weapons for the Jewish fighting force in the War of Independence. The sailing of the ship was one of the most complex operations carried out by the Etzel organization. When the ship reached the shores of Israel, harsh disputes erupted between the Yishuv leadership and the heads of Etzel, and following a failing attempt to negotiate and a short ultimatum granted to the staff, "Altalena" was attacked and drowned by IDF forces.
In the book by "Altalena" commander, Eliyahu Lankin, Ostashinsky is mentioned in the list of fighters on board of "Altalena".
Literature:
1. Story of Altalena Commander (Hebrew), Eliyahu Lankin. Published by "Hadar", Tel-Aviv, 1974, p. 333.
2. "Altalena", Shlomo Nakdimon. Published by "Idanim", Jerusalem, 1978.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue
Auction 53 - Rare and Important Items
November 15, 2016
Opening: $50,000
Unsold
Collection of autographs, signed documents and letters of all signers of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel. Additional documents: documents signed by the designer of the scroll Otte Wallish, author of the draft Zvi Berenson, Secretary of the Provisional State Council, Ze'ev Sherf, and more; photo-album of the Declaration of Independence ceremony, with original prints signed by the photographer Rudi Weissenstein.
This lot is the result of diligently collected items over many years. The collector, Michael Levin, started the collection in the early 1970s, while one third of the signers were still alive, and over the years extended it and added documents of various dignitaries related to the declaration event.
The signed documents are diverse and encompass a period of three decades and more. Alongside official leaves, documents and letters concerning public matters, the collection includes letters of personal and intimate nature, documenting a variety of aspects of public life and the Zionist leadership in those crucial years. Mentioned among the topics are the education system, religious matters, Zionist organizations in the Diaspora, financial matters, Jews in Nablus in biblical days, deserted lands and other subjects.
Complete collections of all signers of the Declaration of Independence are not common, as some of the signers did not occupy public or official duties after the establishment of Israel, others have died relatively young.
The collection is presented in an exquisite case designed by the collector, graduate of "Bezalel". The signed documents are inserted in folders, bearing photographs of the signers, their printed signatures as they figure on the scroll, and a short biography. Within the folders are English translations of the documents and letters, and a transcript of the letters. In 2008 the collection was presented at the Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme in Paris, in the exhibition "14th of May 1948: A collector's investigation".
The collection includes:
1. 37 letters, documents and autographs of all signers of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel (two double signatures).
Among the documents: · Six signatures with a personal testimony from the declaration event: "I signed the Declaration of Independence during the first cease-fire, when I was flown in a small plane… we sent a message to Ben Gurion saying that we object the postponement of the proclamation of the State.", from a letter by Moshe Kolodny (Kol); "The truth is that not one of the co-signers agreed to the whole contents of the Declaration of Independence… The single unifying element was the last phrase, 'We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine, to be called Israel'", from a signed transcript of Meir Vilner's words; "As to the question on why I signed the Declaration of Independence under the name of 'Vardi' and not 'Rosenblum'… When I was about to sign the Declatation of Independence, Ben Gurion… advised me to sign by the name of 'Vardi' - and I did so...", from a letter by Herzl Vardi (Rosenblum); "At the fateful hour that I signed my name on the manuscript, I felt that I was signing for all the daughters of Israel…", from a transcript signed by Rachel Cohen-Kagan. · Signature of Yitzchak Gruenbaum on a letter of 1938, urging Chaim Bograshov to go to Lithuania and make peace between the various Zionist sections, when the tension between them "turned to hostility which endangers the movement in Lithuania". · Signature of David Zvi Pinkas, on a letter which was sent several days prior to the incident of a bomb thrown towards his house.
2. Additional Documents:
· A signed letter from the secretary of the Provisional State council, Ze'ev Sherf. Sent in reply to a request by the collector explaining why Chaim Weizmann was not invited to sign the scroll; Ze'ev Sherf's signature on a reproduction of the invitation to the Independence Declaration ceremony.
· Reproduction of the second draft of the declaration, dated 9.5.1948, signed by it’s author Zvi Berenson (original is preserved in the National Archive).
· Two signatures by the calligrapher and designer of the Independence Scroll Otte Wallish, in Hebrew and in Latin characters, on the reverse of a stamps’ souvenir folder. Out of a special edition of 99 stamps series signed by Wallish.
3. Photo-Album:
Nine photographs from the Independence Declaration and signing ceremony. Gelatin silver prints, printed from the original negatives, signed by the photographer Rudi (Shimon) Weissenstein. Presented in a fine album, with a short biography of the photographer. Among the photographs: David Ben Gurion delivers the Declaration of Independence; Moshe Sharett, David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, David Remez and others signing the scroll; and more. Photographer's ink stamp and negative number appears on the reverse of each photograph.
Signed documents in varying size, most of them are typewritten, some are handwritten. Folders' size: 22.5X32 cm, case: 24.5X34.5 cm, photographs: 18X24 cm, album: 29.7X21 cm. Condition varies. Good and fair overall condition. Folding marks, stains, tears and some open tears to some of the signed leaves, no damage to signatures.
This lot is the result of diligently collected items over many years. The collector, Michael Levin, started the collection in the early 1970s, while one third of the signers were still alive, and over the years extended it and added documents of various dignitaries related to the declaration event.
The signed documents are diverse and encompass a period of three decades and more. Alongside official leaves, documents and letters concerning public matters, the collection includes letters of personal and intimate nature, documenting a variety of aspects of public life and the Zionist leadership in those crucial years. Mentioned among the topics are the education system, religious matters, Zionist organizations in the Diaspora, financial matters, Jews in Nablus in biblical days, deserted lands and other subjects.
Complete collections of all signers of the Declaration of Independence are not common, as some of the signers did not occupy public or official duties after the establishment of Israel, others have died relatively young.
The collection is presented in an exquisite case designed by the collector, graduate of "Bezalel". The signed documents are inserted in folders, bearing photographs of the signers, their printed signatures as they figure on the scroll, and a short biography. Within the folders are English translations of the documents and letters, and a transcript of the letters. In 2008 the collection was presented at the Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme in Paris, in the exhibition "14th of May 1948: A collector's investigation".
The collection includes:
1. 37 letters, documents and autographs of all signers of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel (two double signatures).
Among the documents: · Six signatures with a personal testimony from the declaration event: "I signed the Declaration of Independence during the first cease-fire, when I was flown in a small plane… we sent a message to Ben Gurion saying that we object the postponement of the proclamation of the State.", from a letter by Moshe Kolodny (Kol); "The truth is that not one of the co-signers agreed to the whole contents of the Declaration of Independence… The single unifying element was the last phrase, 'We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine, to be called Israel'", from a signed transcript of Meir Vilner's words; "As to the question on why I signed the Declaration of Independence under the name of 'Vardi' and not 'Rosenblum'… When I was about to sign the Declatation of Independence, Ben Gurion… advised me to sign by the name of 'Vardi' - and I did so...", from a letter by Herzl Vardi (Rosenblum); "At the fateful hour that I signed my name on the manuscript, I felt that I was signing for all the daughters of Israel…", from a transcript signed by Rachel Cohen-Kagan. · Signature of Yitzchak Gruenbaum on a letter of 1938, urging Chaim Bograshov to go to Lithuania and make peace between the various Zionist sections, when the tension between them "turned to hostility which endangers the movement in Lithuania". · Signature of David Zvi Pinkas, on a letter which was sent several days prior to the incident of a bomb thrown towards his house.
2. Additional Documents:
· A signed letter from the secretary of the Provisional State council, Ze'ev Sherf. Sent in reply to a request by the collector explaining why Chaim Weizmann was not invited to sign the scroll; Ze'ev Sherf's signature on a reproduction of the invitation to the Independence Declaration ceremony.
· Reproduction of the second draft of the declaration, dated 9.5.1948, signed by it’s author Zvi Berenson (original is preserved in the National Archive).
· Two signatures by the calligrapher and designer of the Independence Scroll Otte Wallish, in Hebrew and in Latin characters, on the reverse of a stamps’ souvenir folder. Out of a special edition of 99 stamps series signed by Wallish.
3. Photo-Album:
Nine photographs from the Independence Declaration and signing ceremony. Gelatin silver prints, printed from the original negatives, signed by the photographer Rudi (Shimon) Weissenstein. Presented in a fine album, with a short biography of the photographer. Among the photographs: David Ben Gurion delivers the Declaration of Independence; Moshe Sharett, David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, David Remez and others signing the scroll; and more. Photographer's ink stamp and negative number appears on the reverse of each photograph.
Signed documents in varying size, most of them are typewritten, some are handwritten. Folders' size: 22.5X32 cm, case: 24.5X34.5 cm, photographs: 18X24 cm, album: 29.7X21 cm. Condition varies. Good and fair overall condition. Folding marks, stains, tears and some open tears to some of the signed leaves, no damage to signatures.
Category
Rare and Important Items
Catalogue