Two photographs of NILI group members Avshalom Feinberg and Naaman Belkind. Taken by Avraham Soskin. Tel Aviv-Jaffa, [1910s].
1. Portrait photograph of Avshalom Feinberg in his youth. Signed in lower left corner (embossed): "Photographer Avraham Soskin Tel Aviv Jaffa".
Feinberg (1889-1917) was the mastermind behind the NILI underground movement and its founder. He was killed while on a mission, attempting to cross the Ottoman-British front line in World War I and join the British forces in the Sinai Peninsula in order to renew intelligence contact between them and NILI.
16X11 cm. Good condition. Slight rubbing to verso.
2. Studio photograph of Naaman Belkind in a military uniform and a turban. The photograph is mounted on an original cardboard card of the photo studio – "A. Sosking & G. Bruck" (Avraham Soskin's and G. Bruck's studio in Jaffa), and dated on verso in handwriting – "Jaffa, 1911".
Naaman Belkind (1888-1917) was one of the first members to join NILI, coordinating the group's activities in the southern area. His capture by Ottoman forces in September 1917 marked NILI's end. Belkind himself was hanged in Damascus in December of that year, together with Yosef Lishansky.
16.5X10.5 cm (including cardboard card). Good condition. A few stains and minor blemishes.
Provenance: Rimon Family Collection.