Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Displaying 13 - 24 of 26
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $400
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
The cycle of poems "Ahavat Shimshon" (Samson's Love) by Leah Godlberg – nine leaves in Goldberg's handwriting. [1948]. Hebrew.
The cycle of poems "Samson's Love" by Leah Goldberg, consists of seven poems retelling the biblical story of Samson from different perspectives. The cycle was first published in the journal Molad, edited by Ephraim Broido (volume I, April 1948).
This is the final version of the cycle of poems, handwritten by Goldberg. Printing instructions on the first page: "One column, regular vocalization" (Hebrew).
9 leaves, 20 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Horizontal fold lines. Small tears to margins.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
The cycle of poems "Samson's Love" by Leah Goldberg, consists of seven poems retelling the biblical story of Samson from different perspectives. The cycle was first published in the journal Molad, edited by Ephraim Broido (volume I, April 1948).
This is the final version of the cycle of poems, handwritten by Goldberg. Printing instructions on the first page: "One column, regular vocalization" (Hebrew).
9 leaves, 20 cm. Good condition. Some stains. Horizontal fold lines. Small tears to margins.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $500
Unsold
"On Nabokov and Lolita", autograph draft of an article (67 pp.) by Leah Goldberg. [1959]. Hebrew.
Lengthy critique dealing with the work of Vladimir Nabokov, and comparing his novel Lolita (1955) to the novel Doctor Zhivago (1957) by Boris Pasternak.
Goldberg writes: "[…] and indeed, honest people among the simple readers of Pasternak and Nabokov have made their verdict: Pasternak is 'boring' and Nabokov is 'pornographic', and he too is 'boring' in all those chapters that are not pornography"; and later: "[…] Nabokov's book needs to be approached cautiously maybe even more than Pasternak's, since it has much more leaves that act on the senses, which might discourage the sensitive reader and which might, in the worst case, fulfill the needs of those people who seek sensual stimulation rather than artistic pleasure from literature. Surely this book is mostly a work of art, and from a purely artistic perspective, it is possibly the most perfect among all that has been written in the last twenty years".
This draft comprises 67 pages and includes many erasures and corrections.
The final version of the article was published in the Molad journal edited by Ephraim Broido (issue 17, 1959).
[67] leaves written on one side, with handwritten pagination (mispaginated, yet it seems that the article is complete), 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Fold lines and minor creases. Tears to some leaves (open tear to upper part of the first leaf, slightly affecting text).
Lengthy critique dealing with the work of Vladimir Nabokov, and comparing his novel Lolita (1955) to the novel Doctor Zhivago (1957) by Boris Pasternak.
Goldberg writes: "[…] and indeed, honest people among the simple readers of Pasternak and Nabokov have made their verdict: Pasternak is 'boring' and Nabokov is 'pornographic', and he too is 'boring' in all those chapters that are not pornography"; and later: "[…] Nabokov's book needs to be approached cautiously maybe even more than Pasternak's, since it has much more leaves that act on the senses, which might discourage the sensitive reader and which might, in the worst case, fulfill the needs of those people who seek sensual stimulation rather than artistic pleasure from literature. Surely this book is mostly a work of art, and from a purely artistic perspective, it is possibly the most perfect among all that has been written in the last twenty years".
This draft comprises 67 pages and includes many erasures and corrections.
The final version of the article was published in the Molad journal edited by Ephraim Broido (issue 17, 1959).
[67] leaves written on one side, with handwritten pagination (mispaginated, yet it seems that the article is complete), 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Fold lines and minor creases. Tears to some leaves (open tear to upper part of the first leaf, slightly affecting text).
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $300
Sold for: $450
Including buyer's premium
Three letters handwritten and signed by S.Y. Agnon. Jerusalem, 1950s. Hebrew.
The letters are addressed to Ephraim Broido and mostly discuss various literary matters.
In the first letter (1950), Agnon denies a certain request by Broido, complains that he has no time for literary writing: "[…] some of my 'works' have been stopped halfway and I need to make a tremendous effort to return to them […]", and refers to the "old age that has sprung upon me". In addition, Agnon reports that he is working on publishing a collection of stories (possibly, a reference to "Samuch VeNireh" published in 1950) and a new edition of the novel "Hachnasat Kalah".
In the second letter (1955), Agnon writes about a visit of an Israeli minister to his home: "Please tell the minister that his proposal has honored me […] I have to turn down the proposal for the time being. I relished the minister's visit to my home. [Hopefully?] I did not weary him with my words. I am not writing to him so as not to bother him. And now, you send him my regards and tell him I am at his command at any time".
The third letter (close to Passover 1956) is written on verso of three leaves from the novella "Ad Henah" (printed; with proofreading comments in pencil). Agnon thanks Broido for proofreading the text and adds: "I do not like split words […] but since the deed has already been done and time is of the essence, I am letting it go and you can leave the split words as they are".
3 letters (seven pages handwritten by Agnon). Size varies. Good condition. Some stains and minor blemishes. Fold line in two leaves. Filing holes to all leaves, slightly affecting text.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
The letters are addressed to Ephraim Broido and mostly discuss various literary matters.
In the first letter (1950), Agnon denies a certain request by Broido, complains that he has no time for literary writing: "[…] some of my 'works' have been stopped halfway and I need to make a tremendous effort to return to them […]", and refers to the "old age that has sprung upon me". In addition, Agnon reports that he is working on publishing a collection of stories (possibly, a reference to "Samuch VeNireh" published in 1950) and a new edition of the novel "Hachnasat Kalah".
In the second letter (1955), Agnon writes about a visit of an Israeli minister to his home: "Please tell the minister that his proposal has honored me […] I have to turn down the proposal for the time being. I relished the minister's visit to my home. [Hopefully?] I did not weary him with my words. I am not writing to him so as not to bother him. And now, you send him my regards and tell him I am at his command at any time".
The third letter (close to Passover 1956) is written on verso of three leaves from the novella "Ad Henah" (printed; with proofreading comments in pencil). Agnon thanks Broido for proofreading the text and adds: "I do not like split words […] but since the deed has already been done and time is of the essence, I am letting it go and you can leave the split words as they are".
3 letters (seven pages handwritten by Agnon). Size varies. Good condition. Some stains and minor blemishes. Fold line in two leaves. Filing holes to all leaves, slightly affecting text.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
"Yerusha" ("Heritage"), a poem handwritten by Haim Gouri. Signed. Hebrew.
The poem "Yerusha" by Haim Gouri (1923-2018), one of the most prominent poets of the 1948 generation, deals with the binding of Isaac, ending with the famous lines: "Isaac, as the story goes, was not / sacrificed. He lived for many years, saw / what pleasure had to offer, until his / eyesight dimmed. / But he bequeathed that hour to his / offspring. They are born with a knife in / their hearts". It was published in Gouri's fourth book "Shoshanat Ruchot" (Compass Rose; 1960), which was written under the impression of the poet's encounters with Holocaust survivors at DP camps.
This is a draft handwritten Gouri, with several minor corrections, hand-signed by him.
[1] f, 32.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor creases. Filing holes. Some tears, not affecting text. One long tear, reinforced with tape on verso.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
The poem "Yerusha" by Haim Gouri (1923-2018), one of the most prominent poets of the 1948 generation, deals with the binding of Isaac, ending with the famous lines: "Isaac, as the story goes, was not / sacrificed. He lived for many years, saw / what pleasure had to offer, until his / eyesight dimmed. / But he bequeathed that hour to his / offspring. They are born with a knife in / their hearts". It was published in Gouri's fourth book "Shoshanat Ruchot" (Compass Rose; 1960), which was written under the impression of the poet's encounters with Holocaust survivors at DP camps.
This is a draft handwritten Gouri, with several minor corrections, hand-signed by him.
[1] f, 32.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor creases. Filing holes. Some tears, not affecting text. One long tear, reinforced with tape on verso.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $300
Unsold
"Hitadkenut" [Update], an article handwritten by Haim Gouri, signed. [1974]. Hebrew.
The article "Hitadkenut", somewhat in the style of a prose poem, was written after the Yom Kippur War, close to the publication of the Agranat Commission report, which investigated the failures of the war. It was published in the journal Molad in 1974 (vol. 6 [29], issue 31 [241], April-June 1974).
Gouri writes: "The process of drawing conclusions is undoubtedly a most painful one, yet there is no escape, you know it as well as I do, from dealing with it […] please do me this courtesy and never again utter – until the coming of the Messiah do not say – the two sickening words 'low probability'. And for the sake of your people of Israel include in the teams of experts some wild-haired anxious prophet who will add gloomy pessimism, ancient Israeli unrest, to the evaluation of the situation".
Later, he pleads: "And act, for God's sake, as if in a continuous and constant repetitive drill. And always ask yourself, what is new by nightfall or by dawn, am I being misled, am I indulging in 'conceptions'… created in my tired mind due to the hardships and the terrors".
This is a handwritten draft of the article (13 leaves), with erasures and corrections. It includes an ending paragraph that was not published in Molad.
13 ff, approx. 30 cm. Good overall condition. Stains. Blemishes and minor creases. Minute tears to edges of several leaves.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
The article "Hitadkenut", somewhat in the style of a prose poem, was written after the Yom Kippur War, close to the publication of the Agranat Commission report, which investigated the failures of the war. It was published in the journal Molad in 1974 (vol. 6 [29], issue 31 [241], April-June 1974).
Gouri writes: "The process of drawing conclusions is undoubtedly a most painful one, yet there is no escape, you know it as well as I do, from dealing with it […] please do me this courtesy and never again utter – until the coming of the Messiah do not say – the two sickening words 'low probability'. And for the sake of your people of Israel include in the teams of experts some wild-haired anxious prophet who will add gloomy pessimism, ancient Israeli unrest, to the evaluation of the situation".
Later, he pleads: "And act, for God's sake, as if in a continuous and constant repetitive drill. And always ask yourself, what is new by nightfall or by dawn, am I being misled, am I indulging in 'conceptions'… created in my tired mind due to the hardships and the terrors".
This is a handwritten draft of the article (13 leaves), with erasures and corrections. It includes an ending paragraph that was not published in Molad.
13 ff, approx. 30 cm. Good overall condition. Stains. Blemishes and minor creases. Minute tears to edges of several leaves.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $400
Sold for: $575
Including buyer's premium
Collection of items related to the song "Jerusalem of Gold", poet Naomi Shemer and singer Yaffa Yarkoni. [Israel 1960s to 1990s].
Including:
• A short note handwritten by Naomi Shemer, concerning her song "Jerusalem of Gold": " I am happy to share with you the sheet music of 'Jerusalem of Gold'…". Signed by her and dated June 23, 1967 (about a month after the premiere of the song and two weeks after the end of the Six-Day-War).
• A printed leaf with the lyrics of "Jerusalem of Gold", a gift to IDF soldiers upon the liberation of the Old City. [June 1967].
• A 33 RPM "Shana Tova" greeting card record, playing Jerusalem of Gold by Shulamit Livnat.
• A record, "Jerusalem fun Gold" ("Jerusalem of Gold" by Naomi Shemer; Yiddish) and additional songs by Yafa Yarkoni. 33 RPM.
• The poem "Rokedet", a handwritten draft by Naomi Shemer. The poem, written for Yafa Yarkoni's 60th birthday, is based on her life story.
• Two fan letters addressed to Yafa Yarkoni: a letter from a high school student, dated 9.6.67 (one leaf; missing end), mentioning Yarkoni being the "first singer by the Western Wall", and a letter from a soldier wounded during the Six-Day-War, dated 3.7.67.
The song "Jerusalem of Gold" was written by Shemer for the 1967 Israeli Song Festival, when Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek requested several songwriters, including Shemer, to compose a special song dedicated to Jerusalem. A few weeks after the debut performance of the song at the Song Festival (on Independence Day), the Six-Day War broke out. In a telegraph Kollek sent to Shemer he wrote: "All IDF soldiers stationed in Jerusalem and its surroundings, and all residents of Jerusalem are always singing 'Jerusalem of Gold'. With the change in the city's borders, we ask that you add another, uplifting verse to the song". Shemer, who at the time was in the Sinai Desert with an army band, heard IDF soldiers singing the song on the radio and added a new verse in which she compared the pre-war atmosphere to the post-war one. With "Jerusalem of Gold", Shemer became for many the "national songwriter". "Jerusalem of Gold" is considered one of the most beloved Hebrew songs of all times and one of the most famous ones. The best-known recording of the song is that of singer Yafa Yarkoni.
Yafa Yarkoni (1925-2012), born in Tel-Aviv, started her artistic career at a young age, performing at the café owned by her family. She was a dancer in the Gertrud Kraus Dance Company for 12 years, until she was forced to retire due to an injury. In 1947, she joined the Haganah and started singing with the "Chishtron" band; immediately after the War of Independence, she recorded the album "Bab al-Wad" composed of war songs. She led a rich musical career for five decades. Her many appearances at Israeli army bases and before soldiers in the field, earned her the title "singer of the wars". In 1998, she was awarded the Israel Prize; an album she released that year included the song "Rokedet" by Naomi Shemer.
7 items. Size and condition vary.
Including:
• A short note handwritten by Naomi Shemer, concerning her song "Jerusalem of Gold": " I am happy to share with you the sheet music of 'Jerusalem of Gold'…". Signed by her and dated June 23, 1967 (about a month after the premiere of the song and two weeks after the end of the Six-Day-War).
• A printed leaf with the lyrics of "Jerusalem of Gold", a gift to IDF soldiers upon the liberation of the Old City. [June 1967].
• A 33 RPM "Shana Tova" greeting card record, playing Jerusalem of Gold by Shulamit Livnat.
• A record, "Jerusalem fun Gold" ("Jerusalem of Gold" by Naomi Shemer; Yiddish) and additional songs by Yafa Yarkoni. 33 RPM.
• The poem "Rokedet", a handwritten draft by Naomi Shemer. The poem, written for Yafa Yarkoni's 60th birthday, is based on her life story.
• Two fan letters addressed to Yafa Yarkoni: a letter from a high school student, dated 9.6.67 (one leaf; missing end), mentioning Yarkoni being the "first singer by the Western Wall", and a letter from a soldier wounded during the Six-Day-War, dated 3.7.67.
The song "Jerusalem of Gold" was written by Shemer for the 1967 Israeli Song Festival, when Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek requested several songwriters, including Shemer, to compose a special song dedicated to Jerusalem. A few weeks after the debut performance of the song at the Song Festival (on Independence Day), the Six-Day War broke out. In a telegraph Kollek sent to Shemer he wrote: "All IDF soldiers stationed in Jerusalem and its surroundings, and all residents of Jerusalem are always singing 'Jerusalem of Gold'. With the change in the city's borders, we ask that you add another, uplifting verse to the song". Shemer, who at the time was in the Sinai Desert with an army band, heard IDF soldiers singing the song on the radio and added a new verse in which she compared the pre-war atmosphere to the post-war one. With "Jerusalem of Gold", Shemer became for many the "national songwriter". "Jerusalem of Gold" is considered one of the most beloved Hebrew songs of all times and one of the most famous ones. The best-known recording of the song is that of singer Yafa Yarkoni.
Yafa Yarkoni (1925-2012), born in Tel-Aviv, started her artistic career at a young age, performing at the café owned by her family. She was a dancer in the Gertrud Kraus Dance Company for 12 years, until she was forced to retire due to an injury. In 1947, she joined the Haganah and started singing with the "Chishtron" band; immediately after the War of Independence, she recorded the album "Bab al-Wad" composed of war songs. She led a rich musical career for five decades. Her many appearances at Israeli army bases and before soldiers in the field, earned her the title "singer of the wars". In 1998, she was awarded the Israel Prize; an album she released that year included the song "Rokedet" by Naomi Shemer.
7 items. Size and condition vary.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $400
Sold for: $500
Including buyer's premium
Collection of signed autograph drafts by economist and political theorist Harold Laski, chairman of the British Labour Party after World War II. [England, ca. 1940s]. English.
Harold Joseph Laski (1893-1950), a political theorist economist, was considered one of the most extreme politicians of the English left, supporting Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union almost unequivocally, even implicitly calling for the use of violence if the Labour Party did not win the elections. Several important leaders warned against him after the War - Winston Churchill claimed that if the Labour won the elections, Laski will be "the power behind the throne"; John F. Kennedy wrote that "It's that spirit which builds dictatorships, as has been shown in Russia"; and Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett wrote (in a letter) that Laski "knows no pity and nothing is sacred to him. He destroys but does not build anew. He is no socialist, no Jewish nationalist; just a plain Jew whose Jewish bitterness is spilling over". Laski's name appeared in Orwell's List – a list communist sympathisers compiled by George Orwell before his death.
This is a collection of drafts of articles by Laski:
1. Draft of the article "Palestine, the economic aspect". A pro-Zionist analysis of the economic development of Palestine in the years of the British Mandate, with a 17-steps plan for establishing a Jewish State in the spirit of Socialism: the establishment of labor unions, the establishment of collective settlements, the establishment of cooperatives for marketing products and more.
16 handwritten pages. Hand-signed by Laski on the last page.
The article was published in the book Palestine's Economic Future, edited by J.B. Hobman (London: Percy Lund Humphries, 1946).
2-15. London Letter, fourteen drafts of opinion pieces for the Scottish journal of the Labour Party, Forward, on a variety of subjects.
2-4 handwritten pages per draft, most of them hand-signed by Laski on the last page. Two of them are, presumably, incomplete.
Enclosed: • A letter to the readers of the "Davar" newspaper – greetings for the May 1st, the International Workers' Day (presumably, of 1945, the eve of Nazi Germany's surrender). One typewritten page, with handwritten additions and corrections, unsigned. • An autograph eulogy for Harold Laski. Written, presumably, by a leader or a member of the Zionist Movement. 7 pp.
Good condition. Stains. Some creases. Small tears to edges. Fold lines and minor blemishes.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Harold Joseph Laski (1893-1950), a political theorist economist, was considered one of the most extreme politicians of the English left, supporting Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union almost unequivocally, even implicitly calling for the use of violence if the Labour Party did not win the elections. Several important leaders warned against him after the War - Winston Churchill claimed that if the Labour won the elections, Laski will be "the power behind the throne"; John F. Kennedy wrote that "It's that spirit which builds dictatorships, as has been shown in Russia"; and Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett wrote (in a letter) that Laski "knows no pity and nothing is sacred to him. He destroys but does not build anew. He is no socialist, no Jewish nationalist; just a plain Jew whose Jewish bitterness is spilling over". Laski's name appeared in Orwell's List – a list communist sympathisers compiled by George Orwell before his death.
This is a collection of drafts of articles by Laski:
1. Draft of the article "Palestine, the economic aspect". A pro-Zionist analysis of the economic development of Palestine in the years of the British Mandate, with a 17-steps plan for establishing a Jewish State in the spirit of Socialism: the establishment of labor unions, the establishment of collective settlements, the establishment of cooperatives for marketing products and more.
16 handwritten pages. Hand-signed by Laski on the last page.
The article was published in the book Palestine's Economic Future, edited by J.B. Hobman (London: Percy Lund Humphries, 1946).
2-15. London Letter, fourteen drafts of opinion pieces for the Scottish journal of the Labour Party, Forward, on a variety of subjects.
2-4 handwritten pages per draft, most of them hand-signed by Laski on the last page. Two of them are, presumably, incomplete.
Enclosed: • A letter to the readers of the "Davar" newspaper – greetings for the May 1st, the International Workers' Day (presumably, of 1945, the eve of Nazi Germany's surrender). One typewritten page, with handwritten additions and corrections, unsigned. • An autograph eulogy for Harold Laski. Written, presumably, by a leader or a member of the Zionist Movement. 7 pp.
Good condition. Stains. Some creases. Small tears to edges. Fold lines and minor blemishes.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $600
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
One Palestine Pound banknote of the Anglo-Palestine Bank, hand-signed by David Ben-Gurion. [September 1948].
One Palestine Pound banknote of the Anglo-Palestine Bank, hand-signed by then- Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion – "D. Ben-Gurion" (Hebrew; in blue ink).
This banknote was sent to Zionist leader and writer Leon Gellman (1887-1971), in New York, on the occasion of the first Rosh Hashana after the establishment of the State of Israel (1948).
Enclosed: a letter (typewritten in English, on JNF stationery) that was enclosed with the banknote, from September 20, 1948, signed by the director of the overseas department of the JNF Eliyahu (Elias) M.Epstein (1895-1958).
Banknote: 15X7.5 cm. Good condition. Letter: [1] f., 28 cm. Good condition. Fold lines. Stains and minor blemishes.
One Palestine Pound banknote of the Anglo-Palestine Bank, hand-signed by then- Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion – "D. Ben-Gurion" (Hebrew; in blue ink).
This banknote was sent to Zionist leader and writer Leon Gellman (1887-1971), in New York, on the occasion of the first Rosh Hashana after the establishment of the State of Israel (1948).
Enclosed: a letter (typewritten in English, on JNF stationery) that was enclosed with the banknote, from September 20, 1948, signed by the director of the overseas department of the JNF Eliyahu (Elias) M.Epstein (1895-1958).
Banknote: 15X7.5 cm. Good condition. Letter: [1] f., 28 cm. Good condition. Fold lines. Stains and minor blemishes.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $300
Sold for: $375
Including buyer's premium
Letter of condolences, calligraphic script on vellum, hand-signed by David Ben-Gurion. April 1948. Hebrew.
"With profound sorrow we regret to inform that Dr. Benjamin Klar was killed in action […] the Israeli government, the IDF and the Hebrew nation will always bear the memory of Dr. Benjamin who was killed defending the homeland in the battle for its freedom and independence" (Hebrew).
Dr. Benjamin Menahem Klar (1901-1948), a translator, Hebrew linguist and literary scholar, was killed during the attack on the Hadassah convoy (Mount Scopus Convoy) on April 13, 1948.
16X12 cm. Good condition. Stains. Corrections with white correction fluid. Signature slightly faded.
"With profound sorrow we regret to inform that Dr. Benjamin Klar was killed in action […] the Israeli government, the IDF and the Hebrew nation will always bear the memory of Dr. Benjamin who was killed defending the homeland in the battle for its freedom and independence" (Hebrew).
Dr. Benjamin Menahem Klar (1901-1948), a translator, Hebrew linguist and literary scholar, was killed during the attack on the Hadassah convoy (Mount Scopus Convoy) on April 13, 1948.
16X12 cm. Good condition. Stains. Corrections with white correction fluid. Signature slightly faded.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Collection of letters and drafts for publication of speeches and lectures delivered by David Ben-Gurion on various occasions. From the archive of the journal Molad edited by Ephraim Broido. Israel, 1949-1957. Hebrew.
1. Correspondence between Ben-Gurion and Broido:
• Letter by Ben-Gurion to Broido – invitation to a meeting of writers on the subject of "The problem of the spiritual absorption of the Aliyah"; printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office and hand-signed by Ben-Gurion (Tel-Aviv, 4.10.1949). Enclosed is the booklet "Divrei-Sofrim, on the second meeting called by the Prime Minister, on October 11, 1949" (Hebrew; HaKirya, 1950). • Two letters by Ben-Gurion to Broido (one printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office, with Ben-Gurion's handwritten signature – 23.9.1957 and the second entirely handwritten by Ben-Gurion – 9.10.1957), and a response letter (4 typewritten pages) by Broido (4.10.1957). The letters deal with the correct spelling of words of Greek origin, which include the letter 'S' (whether the Hebrew letter ז' or ס' should be used). • Copy of a letter by Broido to Ben-Gurion, with a request to set up time to meet, to talk about the Molad journal and discuss the question of "How… to overcome the mental stagnation and depletion of expression… which have become customary… and soon will be accepted as natural" (November, 1954). • Copy of a letter by Broido to Ben-Gurion, regarding Spinoza's words about the Jewish people being perceived as the chosen people (22.8.1957).
2. Drafts for publication of speeches and lectures delivered by David Ben-Gurion on different occasions and on various topics (typewritten, with handwritten additions, comments, erasures, and many changes, presumably for publication in Molad; some possibly handwritten by Ben-Gurion). Two of them signed by Ben-Gurion.
• "The State of Israel and the Zionist Movement" (Hebrew), Ben-Gurion's speech at the beginning of the meeting of the Zionist executive committee in Jerusalem, April 25, 1950. 24 leaves; first leaf signed by Ben-Gurion on top. The edited version was printed in Molad, vol. 5, p. 67 and onward. • "A meeting of Mr. D. Ben-Gurion with an apolitical circle" (Hebrew), protocol of a meeting that took place at the "Zionists of America Hall" on 15.6.1955, dealing with changing the Knesset electoral system. The chairman of the meeting was the former Chief of Staff Yaakov Dori and the main speaker was the Minister of Defense David Ben-Gurion, who delivered an extensive political-social speech about the condition of the people in Israel and abroad. 33 leaves (the edited version was presumably not printed). • [What's between Saul and David?], a lecture given by Ben-Gurion at the "Bible lesson at the Prime Minister's residence", meeting 64. 8 leaves; the first leaf signed by Ben-Gurion. The edited version was printed in Molad, vol. 20, pp. 173-174.
Enclosed: the envelope of Ben-Gurion's letter from 9.10.1957; a letter printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office, to Ephraim Broido, 7.10.1957.
Good overall condition. Stains, tears, creases and blemishes to margins of some leaves.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
1. Correspondence between Ben-Gurion and Broido:
• Letter by Ben-Gurion to Broido – invitation to a meeting of writers on the subject of "The problem of the spiritual absorption of the Aliyah"; printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office and hand-signed by Ben-Gurion (Tel-Aviv, 4.10.1949). Enclosed is the booklet "Divrei-Sofrim, on the second meeting called by the Prime Minister, on October 11, 1949" (Hebrew; HaKirya, 1950). • Two letters by Ben-Gurion to Broido (one printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office, with Ben-Gurion's handwritten signature – 23.9.1957 and the second entirely handwritten by Ben-Gurion – 9.10.1957), and a response letter (4 typewritten pages) by Broido (4.10.1957). The letters deal with the correct spelling of words of Greek origin, which include the letter 'S' (whether the Hebrew letter ז' or ס' should be used). • Copy of a letter by Broido to Ben-Gurion, with a request to set up time to meet, to talk about the Molad journal and discuss the question of "How… to overcome the mental stagnation and depletion of expression… which have become customary… and soon will be accepted as natural" (November, 1954). • Copy of a letter by Broido to Ben-Gurion, regarding Spinoza's words about the Jewish people being perceived as the chosen people (22.8.1957).
2. Drafts for publication of speeches and lectures delivered by David Ben-Gurion on different occasions and on various topics (typewritten, with handwritten additions, comments, erasures, and many changes, presumably for publication in Molad; some possibly handwritten by Ben-Gurion). Two of them signed by Ben-Gurion.
• "The State of Israel and the Zionist Movement" (Hebrew), Ben-Gurion's speech at the beginning of the meeting of the Zionist executive committee in Jerusalem, April 25, 1950. 24 leaves; first leaf signed by Ben-Gurion on top. The edited version was printed in Molad, vol. 5, p. 67 and onward. • "A meeting of Mr. D. Ben-Gurion with an apolitical circle" (Hebrew), protocol of a meeting that took place at the "Zionists of America Hall" on 15.6.1955, dealing with changing the Knesset electoral system. The chairman of the meeting was the former Chief of Staff Yaakov Dori and the main speaker was the Minister of Defense David Ben-Gurion, who delivered an extensive political-social speech about the condition of the people in Israel and abroad. 33 leaves (the edited version was presumably not printed). • [What's between Saul and David?], a lecture given by Ben-Gurion at the "Bible lesson at the Prime Minister's residence", meeting 64. 8 leaves; the first leaf signed by Ben-Gurion. The edited version was printed in Molad, vol. 20, pp. 173-174.
Enclosed: the envelope of Ben-Gurion's letter from 9.10.1957; a letter printed on the official stationery of the Prime Minister's Office, to Ephraim Broido, 7.10.1957.
Good overall condition. Stains, tears, creases and blemishes to margins of some leaves.
Provenance: The Molad Archive.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Five letters, correspondence between Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and World Mizrachi president Aryeh Leib Gelman (including two lengthy letters handwritten by Ben-Gurion); and a letter by the editor of the Mizrachi journal, Shabtai Don Yichyeh, following the publication of an article about David Ben-Gurion. Sdeh Boker and Jerusalem, October 1952 to November 1954. Hebrew.
1. A letter by Aryeh Leib Gelman to Ben-Gurion, October 5, 1952 (two printed copies, with handwritten corrections). Written after the Haredi parties "Agudat Israel" and "Poalei Agudat Israel" withdrew from the coalition over the issue of recruiting women to the IDF. Gelman writes: "It is certainly possible that you Mr. Prime Minister is the one to blame and the major cause, due to your failing to sufficiently consider the religious sensibilities of the people of Torah and faith".
2. A lengthy letter by Ben-Gurion, in response to the above letter by Gelman, October 15, 1952 (typewritten on the Prime Minister's official stationery, with handwritten corrections; hand-signed by Ben-Gurion):" I hereby accept the claim that your words imply, that the sensibilities of people of Torah and 'faith' should be considered, however I add that such people must also consider the sensibilities of other Jews who do not think the same as them. There are no privileged in Israel, we are all considered princes and we all have a portion in the world to come…".
3-4. Two lengthy letters by David Ben-Gurion to Aryeh Leib Gelman, October-November 1954 (handwritten and signed by him). Sent in response to an article published by "S. Daniel" (Shabtai Don Yichyeh), editor of the Mizrachi journal, "HaTzofeh", claiming that Ben-Gurion cursed Jewish Orthodox leaders during a visit of members of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in his home in Sdeh Boker. Ben-Gurion responds: " The editor of 'Hatzofeh' is publicly disobeying one of the Ten Commandments that says: 'Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor', he is violating an explicit Torah prohibition that says: 'Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people'. He is disobeying an explicit Torah command: 'Keep far from a false matter'. And he does not do it in secret, but rather publicly, on the pages of 'HaTzofeh' journal, which advocates the sanctity of the Torah".
Enclosed is a printed copy of the letter from November 1954.
5. A letter by Aryeh Leib Gelman in response to the two above letters by Ben-Gurion, October 31, 1954 (typewritten on thin paper). A promise to conduct a "thorough examination" as to the article in "HaTzofeh".
6. Copy of a letter by Shabtai Don Yichyeh to Aryeh Leib Gelman, July 7, 1954 (typewritten on thin paper): "Mr. Ben-Gurion cannot stand his political and spiritual opinions being disputed…".
Six letters (two duplicates). Size and condition vary.
1. A letter by Aryeh Leib Gelman to Ben-Gurion, October 5, 1952 (two printed copies, with handwritten corrections). Written after the Haredi parties "Agudat Israel" and "Poalei Agudat Israel" withdrew from the coalition over the issue of recruiting women to the IDF. Gelman writes: "It is certainly possible that you Mr. Prime Minister is the one to blame and the major cause, due to your failing to sufficiently consider the religious sensibilities of the people of Torah and faith".
2. A lengthy letter by Ben-Gurion, in response to the above letter by Gelman, October 15, 1952 (typewritten on the Prime Minister's official stationery, with handwritten corrections; hand-signed by Ben-Gurion):" I hereby accept the claim that your words imply, that the sensibilities of people of Torah and 'faith' should be considered, however I add that such people must also consider the sensibilities of other Jews who do not think the same as them. There are no privileged in Israel, we are all considered princes and we all have a portion in the world to come…".
3-4. Two lengthy letters by David Ben-Gurion to Aryeh Leib Gelman, October-November 1954 (handwritten and signed by him). Sent in response to an article published by "S. Daniel" (Shabtai Don Yichyeh), editor of the Mizrachi journal, "HaTzofeh", claiming that Ben-Gurion cursed Jewish Orthodox leaders during a visit of members of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in his home in Sdeh Boker. Ben-Gurion responds: " The editor of 'Hatzofeh' is publicly disobeying one of the Ten Commandments that says: 'Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor', he is violating an explicit Torah prohibition that says: 'Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people'. He is disobeying an explicit Torah command: 'Keep far from a false matter'. And he does not do it in secret, but rather publicly, on the pages of 'HaTzofeh' journal, which advocates the sanctity of the Torah".
Enclosed is a printed copy of the letter from November 1954.
5. A letter by Aryeh Leib Gelman in response to the two above letters by Ben-Gurion, October 31, 1954 (typewritten on thin paper). A promise to conduct a "thorough examination" as to the article in "HaTzofeh".
6. Copy of a letter by Shabtai Don Yichyeh to Aryeh Leib Gelman, July 7, 1954 (typewritten on thin paper): "Mr. Ben-Gurion cannot stand his political and spiritual opinions being disputed…".
Six letters (two duplicates). Size and condition vary.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue
Auction 80 - Part I - Jewish and Israeli History, Art and Culture
June 29, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
A letter handwritten and signed by David Ben-Gurion, concerning the Lavon Affair ("The Unfortunate Affair"). Sdeh Boker, May 1, 1964. Hebrew.
In the letter, Ben-Gurion addresses the most important piece of evidence of the affair – a letter from 1954, which specifically mentions the "order" given by Defense Minister Pinchas Lavon (supposedly sent by Binyamin Gibli to the IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan). This piece of evidence was the focus of the discussions of the investigative committee regarding the question of who was responsible for the affair ("Who issued the order?") and immediately with its introduction, Lavon claimed it was a forgery.
The present letter contains an extraordinary reference by David Ben-Gurion, one of the opponents and accusers of Lavon, to the incriminating letter and its forgery: "Two authorized institutions […] determined that the 'forgery' is but libel […] two typewriters, which were used by the office of the Military Intelligence Directorate head in late 1954 were located and provided to Mr. Albert Hajaj (an expert on forgeries employed by the Israel Police) […] He identified the typewriter with which the letter was typewritten […] and in light of the expert's negative results – I conclude there is no evidence of forgery […] no case" (last two words in English). Signed: D. Ben-Gurion.
In 1965, Daliah Carmel, the secretary of Binyamin Gibli who headed the Military Intelligence Directorate (one of the main suspects of issuing the order), admitted that she had forged the letter after being threatened and pressured by Gibli. The question of the letter's authenticity and the identity of the issuer of the order is still debated.
Ben-Gurion addressed his letter to "Dear Haft" (presumably, Avraham Haft).
[2] ff. (two written pages). approx. 21 cm. (both mounted on one sheet of paper). Fair condition. Creases. Tears to edges. Stains and blemishes due to mounting.
In the letter, Ben-Gurion addresses the most important piece of evidence of the affair – a letter from 1954, which specifically mentions the "order" given by Defense Minister Pinchas Lavon (supposedly sent by Binyamin Gibli to the IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan). This piece of evidence was the focus of the discussions of the investigative committee regarding the question of who was responsible for the affair ("Who issued the order?") and immediately with its introduction, Lavon claimed it was a forgery.
The present letter contains an extraordinary reference by David Ben-Gurion, one of the opponents and accusers of Lavon, to the incriminating letter and its forgery: "Two authorized institutions […] determined that the 'forgery' is but libel […] two typewriters, which were used by the office of the Military Intelligence Directorate head in late 1954 were located and provided to Mr. Albert Hajaj (an expert on forgeries employed by the Israel Police) […] He identified the typewriter with which the letter was typewritten […] and in light of the expert's negative results – I conclude there is no evidence of forgery […] no case" (last two words in English). Signed: D. Ben-Gurion.
In 1965, Daliah Carmel, the secretary of Binyamin Gibli who headed the Military Intelligence Directorate (one of the main suspects of issuing the order), admitted that she had forged the letter after being threatened and pressured by Gibli. The question of the letter's authenticity and the identity of the issuer of the order is still debated.
Ben-Gurion addressed his letter to "Dear Haft" (presumably, Avraham Haft).
[2] ff. (two written pages). approx. 21 cm. (both mounted on one sheet of paper). Fair condition. Creases. Tears to edges. Stains and blemishes due to mounting.
Category
Manuscripts, Autographs
Catalogue