Two early Zionist items. London, 1912 and 1918. 1. Order of Ancient Maccabeans – Sixth Maccabean Convention. Booklet printed on the occasion of the convention of the Zionist Order of Ancient Maccabeans friendly benefit society at London's Three Nun's Hotel on May 26-27, 1912. Whitechapel Road (London): A.V. Rabinowitz, [1912]. English. This booklet gives the convention's schedule of events, and lists the proposals – various financial matters pertaining to the society, its savings funds (intended for charity purposes), its Zionist activities, and more – to be voted on by society members. The fraternal Zionist Order of Ancient Maccabeans secret society was founded in London in 1896 by Hebrew author and leading member of the "Hovevei Zion" movement, Ephraim Ish-Kishor. It was meant to serve as a fraternal mutual aid society, and at the same time, further the goals of the Zionist movement. The structure of the society was reminiscent of that of the Freemasons; its members even held masonic-type ceremonies, donning ceremonial garments and making use of secret code words. Members of the society included, among other personalities, Boris Schatz, Israel Zangwill, and Ernst Boris Chain (a Nobel Prize laureate, one of the co-discoverers of penicillin). 11 pp. + several blank pages, 18.5 cm. Good condition. Multiple handwritten comments, corrections, and other marks and notations (probably made by one of the participants at the convention). Not in OCLC. 2. Program for the "Hagigat HaShekel" ("Shekel Celebration") of the English Zionist Federation. [London, 1918]. Hebrew and Yiddish. This event took place in August 1918 with the goal of encouraging the purchase of the Zionist Shekel. It was held at the Pavilion Theatre on Whitechapel Road, London, and was chaired by Nahum Sokolow. Included in the program are the words to an early version of the Zionist anthem "Hatikvah" as well as the lyrics to the Zionist song "Nes Ziona." [1] f., folded (4 pp.), 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Foxing and dampstains. Minor creases and tears to edges. Not in OCLC.