Three items related to Joseph Trumpeldor: a postcard sent from prison in Japan to his parents, a postcard with his photograph and a dedication written by hand (in Hebrew), and a Real-Photo postcard from prison in Japan. Japan, Russia, Galipoli and Egypt, 1905, 1915. Russian and Hebrew.
Joseph Trumpeldor (1880-1920) - one of the founders of the "Jewish Legion" and "HeChalutz" and commander of defense of Tel-Hai court in 1920. Trumpeldor was born in Russia, was the first Jewish officer to serve in the Russian army, serving also in the Russo-Japanese war, during which shrapnel crashed his left arm and it was amputated. In January 1905, when the Russian army was defeated in the battle on Port Arthur marine fort, Trumpeldor was captured by the Japanese. During his time in prison, Trumpeldor was engaged in founding Zionist and national institutions and organizations for Jewish prisoners, among them the society "Bne Zion Hashevuyim beYapan" [Jews in Japanese prison] (see hereunder, no. 2).
Trumpeldor relocated to Palestine in 1912 and worked as a farmer. During World War I he was among the founders of the "Jewish Legion" (with Ze'ev Jabotinsky) and participated in the Galipoli Campaign as deputy commander of the "Zion Mule Corps" and as commander of the corps. After the war Trumpeldor returned to Russia and was one of the founders of "Hechalutz" movement. In 1919 he returned to Palestine and was called to assist with the protection of the northern end of upper Galilee settlements. Trumpeldor was killed in the battle of Tel-Hai on Adar 11, 1920. His character and bravery led to him being considered a national hero in the history of Zionism.
1. A postcard sent by Trumpeldor from Japanese captivity to his parents in Russia. Sent from Hamadera camp (through Osaka), Japan, to Rostov-on-Don, Russia, October 1905.
An official prisoners of war postcard (Service des Prisonniers de Guerre), printed in Russian, with space for completing the name of the prisoner-sender (service number 16242, barrack 42) and details of the addressee (Wulf Samuelovich Trumpeldor, Joseph's father).
Trumpeldor writes to his parents: "Dear father and mother, we are still here, and still do not know when we are leaving. We go more out to the court, but the guards and the fence are the same. Despair deepens but 'hope is the food of the young…'. Kisses to all the family and regards to acquaintances. Love you, Osia". For additional information about the postcard, see enclosed material.
9 X 14 cm. Fair-good condition. Creases, tears, stains and wear, mostly at margins, professionally repaired, slightly affecting text.
2. Real-Photo postcard, photograph of Joseph Trumpeldor as a prisoner of war in Japan, [1905].
Trumpeldor is seen standing straight in front of a barrack, with the inscription "Bne Zion M [Machane] Shevuyim beYapan" (Bne Zion prisoners camp in Japan) above him. Above the sign appear a Star of David with the word "Zion" in the center and seven-star flags. On the bottom of the postcard appears a handwritten inscription "J. Trumpeldor in Japanese prison" and on the back appears a handwritten dedication "…gift from our friends in Harbin".
9 X 14 cm. Fair condition. Creases, small tears and pinholes. Rubbings and peeling on the back, affecting the dedication.
3. Real Photo postcard, photograph of Joseph Trumpeldor wearing the Zion Mule Corps uniform. [Galipoli, 1915].
On verso appears a dedication handwritten by Trumpeldor, in Hebrew: "To Nisenboym, Trumpeldor. Captain Zion Mule Corps, Wardian Camps, 20/9/15".
The dedication was written in Wardian camp (Al Wardian), Alexandria, Egypt.
When World War I broke out, Trumpeldor was obliged – being a Russian national and officer – to leave Palestine and he left for Egypt, where he met Ze'ev Jabotinsky and joined his vision to establish a legion of Jewish volunteers who will fight with the British to take over Palestine. The Zion Mule Corps was the first among Jewish legions established by the British and served, in fact, as a transport unit of about 650 Jewish soldiers. Colonel John Patterson commanded the force and Joseph Trumpeldor served as his deputy, and even replaced Patterson as commander of the corps during the last months of its existence, when Patterson resigned due to an illness.
8.5 X 13.5 cm. Fair condition. Creases, small tears and pinholes. Rubbings and peelings on the back, affecting dedication. Pen inscription on margins of the back: "Joseph Trumpeldor".