Avraham Melnikov (1892-1960), archive of documents and letters, documenting stages in the sculptor's life, events and activities unknown in his biography, unknown works and sculptures, and more. Archive contains: - Study for a sculpture "People looking for shelter in the underground-train tunnels", 1941, creation inspired by the "Blitz" on London and the bombing of Melnikov's house. 12X21X11 cm, damaged. Appears in the University of Haifa Gallery exhibition catalogue, item no. 19. - Melnikov's certificate of Palestinian Citizenship 1926 (till then he was citizen of Romania). In the certificate are noted his occupation (sculptor), his address (Damascus Gate, Jerusalem), his marital status (divorced) and his daughter's name (Bat-Zion, b. 1912). - Melnikov's official testament from1940, typewritten. Melnikov appointed Berl Locker and Carol Johnson as executors of his testament. The testament contains instructions for future distribution of his artistic estate. - 267 Photographs and tens of negatives: some of the 1920's-30's, others are later, or reproductions of early photographs: family photographs, many portraits of the artist, lions photographed by Melnikov in Egypt as models for his sculpture, documentation of the work on the Roaring Lion in Tel -Hai, photographs documenting the artist's work on sculptures of busts, models used by the artist, tombstones, Ahad HaAm death mask, monuments and sculptures in various styles. - In 1940 Melnikov published a novel in English at Michael Joseph Publishing house under the name Mooshka; the novel tells the story of a young Jew in Russia, who wants to become a sculptor. Herewith are: 1. complete manuscript of the novel, typewritten with handwritten corrections; 2. additional copy (incomplete) of hundreds of leaves, with handwritten corrections; 3. a manuscripr draft by Melnikov of the novel "Mooshka"'s beginning ; 4. hundreds of typewritten leaves of another novel which probably has never been published; furthermore, in the lot are manuscripts of a number of short stories (one of them was published) + correspondence with the London publisher Michael Joseph (today part of the "Penguin" publishing). - Approximately 120 Letters sent to Melnikov from Israel and from abroad (some of the 30's-40's), letters written by Rachel, sister of his son in law David Gabai to his daughter Hava, with updates about Melnikov's deteriorating health condition while hospitalized in the psychiatric hospital "Sha'ar Menashe"; a letter from Winston Churchill's chamber, towards preparation of a bust; letters-exchange between Avraham Melnikov and the Lord Alfred Mond-Melchett (about 20 letters), London, 30's-40's, concerning a variety of topics including the purchase of sculptures; typewritten and handwritten letters, with Lord Melchett's signatures, and copies of letters; correspondence with museums and with private people in England (also with the Tel -Aviv museum), regarding purchase of sculptures. - 45 Letters, postcards and telegrams sent by Melnikov to his daughter Hava and her husband David Gabai in Italy, 1950's. Some of the letters were sent from England while others were sent from the hostel that Melnikov got from the Jewish Agency in "Rasko" project Jerusalem, in 1959. Some of the letters are typewritten in English, others are in Hebrew, handwritten in a big and shaky handwriting, with many mistakes. The content of the letters: regards and requests to keep in touch; updates about the artist's activity in Israel, meetings that he held, and more. Melnikov mentions his sculptures which later were lost and mentions a piano that was stolen during his moving from England to Israel. - 285 documents and different items: Melnikov's checkbooks, calling-cards, bills, three printing-blocks, driver's license, medical certificates, postcards, tickets, certificates and other items. The archive contains hundreds of items, sizes and conditions vary. Literature: * Catalogue: "Melnikov – Awakening Yehuda, Tribute to Avraham Melnikov, Pioneer of Israeli Sculpturing – Sculptures, Drawings, Water-Colors". Curator: Ilana Ortar, Research: Prof. Nathan Zach. Haifa University Art Gallery Publication, 1982.* "Mishanh LeShanah Ze, Literary Biography Passages", by Nathan Zach, 2009. pp 142-157.