Collection of postcards, cards and medals issued for the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II to Palestine and a copy of the book "Die Kaiserfahrt durchs Heilige Land" [The Kaiser's Journey through the Holy Land] by Ludwig Schneller, the delegation's guide in Jerusalem. Jerusalem and various places in Germany, 1898 to early 20th century. German.
• Approx. 55 postcards. Printed by various publishers in Germany and Jerusalem: H. Vogel (Leipzig), Knackstedt & Nather (Hamburg), Silberman & co. (Jerusalem) and others. Most of them bear portraits of the Kaiser, illustrations, pictures and gilt ornaments. Undivided. Some were mailed.
• Six small cards with pictures from the Kaiser's visit, which were enclosed with Stollwerck Chokolate chocolate bars (the company published card series depicting various themes – birds, soldiers, scientists – to be collected and arranged in albums; after the Kaiser's visit to Palestine, it published a special series of photographic cards with silver frames and captions on verso).
• Four medals. Three silver medals with the Kaiser's portrait (two depict the Church of the Redeemer on reverse; the third medal depicts the imperial ship) and a medal with a German legend: " From Jerusalem shall emanate the light [that brightens] the world, by the glow of the light did our German nation gain its strength. Neither power, nor acclaim, nor honor, nor worldly material benefits do we seek here…" (presumably circulated to allay concerns that Germany was aiming to take control of the Port of Haifa), 1898.
• Die Kaiserfahrt durchs Heilige Land [The Imperial Journey through the Holy Land] by Ludwig Schneller (director of the Schneller orphanage, who was the Imperial delegation's guide in Jerusalem). Leipzig: H.G. Wallmann, 1899. German. Accompanied by numerous pictures and illustrations. Color lithographic illustration mounted on cover. One leaf missing.
Size and condition vary. Good overall condition. The postcards and cards are placed in two albums with illustrated olive-wood bindings.

Through the months of October-November 1898, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany toured some of the major cities of the Ottoman Empire, including Beirut, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Jaffa. The visit to Palestine, in particular, was regarded as one of the most salient events in the annals of the Land of Israel in the 19th century.
Preparations for the Kaiser's visit to Palestine had already begun in the summer of 1898. These included a massive municipal clean-up, the improvement and overhaul of infrastructure, the laying of a telegraph line, and other operations. In time for the Kaiser's arrival in Jerusalem, a number of municipal roads were widened. The authorities went as far as breaching a gap in Jerusalem's Old City Wall, adjacent to Jaffa Gate, to enable the smooth passage of the Kaiser's opulent carriage. In addition, the city streets – most notably HaNevi'im Street, where a special tent camp for the Kaiser and his entourage was to be temporarily constructed – were adorned with the flags of Germany and the Ottoman Empire, and with makeshift gates of honor.
The highlight of the Kaiser's visit to Jerusalem was the opening ceremony of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. But he also visited the German Colony, the Mt. of Olives, the Christian Quarter of the Old City, City Hall, and other sites. From a Jewish standpoint, perhaps the most historically important event in the Kaiser's itinerary was his meeting with Theodor Herzl.
Throughout his visit, Wilhelm was accompanied by his wife, the Empress Augusta Victoria, and a small entourage. The Kaiser rode either on horseback or in the imperial carriage. Following in the footsteps of his immediate entourage in Jerusalem was a parade of lesser-ranked officials, accompanied by cavalry regiments and "kawas" officials – ceremonial Ottoman-Empire bodyguards. Large crowds of people thronged to Jerusalem to witness the occasion. Many were willing to pay money for the privilege of occupying vantage points on rooftops and balconies overlooking the planned route of the procession.