Auction 52 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture

Printed Certificate of Appreciation for Dr. Bloch and Prof. Zucker from Vienna - Vienna, 1890

Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Ehren-Blatt, printed certificate of appreciation for two members of the Austrian parliament - Dr. Bloch (apparently, Rabbi Joseph Samuel Bloch) and Prof. Zucker (Alois Zucker) - acknowledging their contribution to the struggle against anti-Semitism. Published by Josef Abeles; Philipp & Wittasek printing press, Vienna, [1890]. German and some Hebrew.
Impressive color certificate granted to two members of the Austrian parliament. Printed in appreciation of speeches they delivered in 1890 in condemnation of anti-Semitism. Folded into a notebook-like booklet.
At the top of the certificate are three arches. On the middle arch is the inscription "Write this as a Memorial in a Book" (Exodus 17:14). Beneath it are blessings for the two and an illustration of a stone tomb bearing the inscription "And if a Man's Offering is a Sacrifice of Thanks" (based on Leviticus 3:1). Beneath the other two arches are the portraits of Dr. Bloch and Prof. Zucker.
The bottom of the certificate is printed with selected excerpts from Bloch's and Zucker's speeches (German). Surrounding the three arches and the speech fragments are Biblical verses (printed in Hebrew and German): "A Word in Season, How Good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23), "A Time to Keep Silence, and a Time to Speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7), "My spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your children" (Isaiah 59:21), "Remove the Filthy Garments from Him" (Zechariah 3:4), and more.
Rabbi Dr. Joseph Samuel Bloch (1850-1923) was a rabbi, journalist and member of the Austrian parliament, known for his writings against anti-Semitism, particularly against the blood libels that spread in his time. Bloch was thrice elected to the Austrian parliament and actively promoted the interests of the Jewish community.
Prof. Alois Zucker (1842-1906), professor of law at the University of Prague, was elected to the Austrian parliament in 1885.
Sheet 83X56.5 cm, folded to a booklet, approx. 14X19 cm, with a cardboard binding (torn). Good-fair condition. Tears to margins and folding lines (some with damage to text). Folding lines reinforced with adhesive tape to verso.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Simon Cohen.
Jewish Communities, Americana
Jewish Communities, Americana