Ten architectural drawings for synagogues in Safed, made by the engineer Abraham (Adolphe) Starkmeth, one of Baron Rothschild's officials. Safed / Rosh Pinna, 1915.
Ink and watercolor on thick paper.

Ten sheets, each bearing the name of the synagogue in question (in French), a floor plan and a sketch of the façade of that synagogue; hand-colored. Most of the sheets bear Starkmeth's inked stamp; some are hand signed and dated March 1915. The synagogues include: Abuhav, "de Zadik" (probably a reference to the Ban'ah Synagogue), "Abou Gerchon" (probably a reference to the synagogue founded by the Persian-born banker Yitzhak Shalom Cohen), "Haham Chabetay" (which can most likely be identified with the Sha'arei Rahamim Synagogue, founded by Yehuda Shabtai Refael Antebe), and more.

Abraham (Adolphe) Starkmeth (1878-1915), born in Odessa. Studied engineering in Paris, and was subsequently chosen by the Baron Rothschild to serve as chief engineer for the Jewish colonies in Palestine. Worked alongside his brother Yitzhak Starkmeth, also employed by the Baron. From 1905 onward, he resided and worked in Rosh Pinna. During the First World War he was appointed by the military governor of the Syria Region, Ahmed Djemal Pasha, as chief engineer of the civil service of the military administration governing Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Passed away in Beirut, May, 1915.

Size varies; 50X25 cm on average. Poor condition. Dampstains and mold. Major worming. Stains. Closed and open tears.