"Erez Zewi", color lithograph - souvenir from Palestine. "Zvi Kodesh" publishing house, A.L. Monsohn printing press, Jerusalem, [early 20th century].
In the center of the leaf is an illustration of a deer in an elliptical frame and the caption "Erez Zewi" in English and Hebrew. The flags of the twelve tribes emerge from the frame, and beneath them is a wreath of grape clusters inset with Biblical verses: "A land flowing with milk / land of wheat and barley… / a pleasant land / a good and broad land…" On the margins of the leaf is an architectural frame incorporating medallions with illustrations of Jerusalem neighborhoods: Mahane Yehuda, Mishkenot Yisrael, Beit Yisrael, Batei Kolel Varsha, Batei Ungarin and more.
At the bottom of the leaf appear the names of the publishers of the "Zvi Kodesh" publishing house: Moshe Shlomo Shapira, Aharon Simcha Blumentahl, N. Natansohn, E. L. Kahana and Y. P. Wikalik, and a comment from the publishers: "Herein we offer those who cherish the memories of the holy sites of the people of Israel, a portrait of the larger Jewish neighborhoods, spread gloriously outside the wall of Jerusalem - as they appear in reality. We have attempted to depict the flags of the Israelite tribes as they truly were, according to the Sages, in their true and whole appearance - in which endeavor no one has preceded us" (Hebrew).
Literature: Omanut Ve'Umanut Be'Eretz Israel Ba'Meah Ha'Tesha Esreh [Arts and Crafts in Palestine in the 19th Century], (The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1979), pp. 208-209.
51X62 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Coarse tears to margins (some long), with damage to illustration. One tear is reinforced with a glued paper strip (old). Paper labels on verso.
Provenance: Shlomo Shva collection.