Auction 35 - Rare and Important Judaica
Original Sketches of JNF Postage Stamps, 1949 – Declaration of Independence
Opening: $4,000
Unsold
Three original sketches (ink on cardboard) for JNF postage stamps, made by Yosef Ross, 1949.
1. A sketch of the stamp "Israeli Declaration of Independence". The stamp was issued in 1949, with several changes (the place of the texts, direction of those sitting behind the table and the manner in which they are sitting, Herzl's portrait hanging on the curtain, the order of those sitting beside Ben Gurion and their number). Signed.
16X24.5 cm. Stains, tape, minor damages to margins. Glue residue on the reverse.
2. A sketch of the stamp "If I forget thee Jerusalem, my right hand shall be forgotten" – Road of Heroism monument. The stamp was issued in 1949. In the computerized JNF stamp catalogue it is called "The Road to Jerusalem". The stamp was printed according to this sketch without any changes. The monument was designed by the sculptor Moshe Ziffer (1902-1989), constructed in December 1948 and located near the settlement Mishmar David. It is designed like an obelisk rising to the height of 13 meters, made from stones brought from the battlefields on the way to Jerusalem, to commemorate the breaking through of the road to Jerusalem during the War of Independence. Signed. 16X24 cm. Stains, tape, minor damage to margins.
3. A sketch of a stamp with four flags of the State of Israel. Apparently, the stamp was never issued. Signed. 15X25 cm. Stains.
Enclosed items:
4. First Day of Issue envelope, Independence Day 1949. On the cover were pasted two JNF postage stamps: "Israel's Declaration of Independence" and "The Way to Jerusalem" (mentioned above, no. 1-2), with stamps of "First Day of Issue" and postal stamp from Haifa. On the envelope appears Ben Gurion's signature and the stamp "David Ben-Gurion, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Israel'. 10X17.5 cm. Good condition.
5-7. Essays of JNF stamps: "The Jewish Brigade"; "The Way to Jerusalem" and "Israel Declaration of Independence" (with corrections by Ross). All three are 1:1 and signed by Ross.
8-9. Pair of "Israel's Declaration of Independence" stamps (blue), imperforate; "The Way to Jerusalem" stamp.
10. A certificate dated 1945, with "The Jewish Brigade" stamp (the stamp is signed "Ross").
The designer of the postage stamps is the illustrator and caricaturist Yosef (Joseph) Ross (1911-1991), born in Antwerp, Belgium, never formally studied art or drawing. Studied medicine in the University of Berlin until 1933 (the year the Nazi party began its regime), at which time he returned to Belgium. In 1935 immigrated to Eretz Israel, on board of the ship "Tel-Aviv". In Eretz Israel, Ross opened an advertising office and simultaneously began sketching political figures and caricatures. Designed several stamps for JNF. His illustrations were published in most of the daily newspapers in Eretz Israel and in newspapers abroad. During the Mandate years, Ross focused on the struggle against the British government and a few of his caricatures were invalidated by the censor. After the establishment of the State of Israel, his satiric illustrations were dedicated to disputes between parties and to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Ross drew a series of sketches of the members of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine – The UNSCOP, which was published in a special album in 1947.
1. A sketch of the stamp "Israeli Declaration of Independence". The stamp was issued in 1949, with several changes (the place of the texts, direction of those sitting behind the table and the manner in which they are sitting, Herzl's portrait hanging on the curtain, the order of those sitting beside Ben Gurion and their number). Signed.
16X24.5 cm. Stains, tape, minor damages to margins. Glue residue on the reverse.
2. A sketch of the stamp "If I forget thee Jerusalem, my right hand shall be forgotten" – Road of Heroism monument. The stamp was issued in 1949. In the computerized JNF stamp catalogue it is called "The Road to Jerusalem". The stamp was printed according to this sketch without any changes. The monument was designed by the sculptor Moshe Ziffer (1902-1989), constructed in December 1948 and located near the settlement Mishmar David. It is designed like an obelisk rising to the height of 13 meters, made from stones brought from the battlefields on the way to Jerusalem, to commemorate the breaking through of the road to Jerusalem during the War of Independence. Signed. 16X24 cm. Stains, tape, minor damage to margins.
3. A sketch of a stamp with four flags of the State of Israel. Apparently, the stamp was never issued. Signed. 15X25 cm. Stains.
Enclosed items:
4. First Day of Issue envelope, Independence Day 1949. On the cover were pasted two JNF postage stamps: "Israel's Declaration of Independence" and "The Way to Jerusalem" (mentioned above, no. 1-2), with stamps of "First Day of Issue" and postal stamp from Haifa. On the envelope appears Ben Gurion's signature and the stamp "David Ben-Gurion, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Israel'. 10X17.5 cm. Good condition.
5-7. Essays of JNF stamps: "The Jewish Brigade"; "The Way to Jerusalem" and "Israel Declaration of Independence" (with corrections by Ross). All three are 1:1 and signed by Ross.
8-9. Pair of "Israel's Declaration of Independence" stamps (blue), imperforate; "The Way to Jerusalem" stamp.
10. A certificate dated 1945, with "The Jewish Brigade" stamp (the stamp is signed "Ross").
The designer of the postage stamps is the illustrator and caricaturist Yosef (Joseph) Ross (1911-1991), born in Antwerp, Belgium, never formally studied art or drawing. Studied medicine in the University of Berlin until 1933 (the year the Nazi party began its regime), at which time he returned to Belgium. In 1935 immigrated to Eretz Israel, on board of the ship "Tel-Aviv". In Eretz Israel, Ross opened an advertising office and simultaneously began sketching political figures and caricatures. Designed several stamps for JNF. His illustrations were published in most of the daily newspapers in Eretz Israel and in newspapers abroad. During the Mandate years, Ross focused on the struggle against the British government and a few of his caricatures were invalidated by the censor. After the establishment of the State of Israel, his satiric illustrations were dedicated to disputes between parties and to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Ross drew a series of sketches of the members of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine – The UNSCOP, which was published in a special album in 1947.