Auction 21 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture

War of Independence and Early Days of IDF - Collection of Photographs Presented to the Spy Israel Ber

Opening: $2,500
Sold for: $3,125
Including buyer's premium
Fifty eight black and white professional photographs. Photographer - unknown. Eretz Israel [1948-1949].
Impressive professional photographs documenting the activity of IDF during the second stage of the War of Independence, following the second cease-fire. Numerous photographs document the south front: Egyptian prisoners of war in Nitzana during "Horev Operation"; conquest of Uja el-Hafir (Nitzana); Nitzanim; Negba; Medical care of prisoners; Jeep unit of "Shualey Shimshon"; conquest of villages and bombing buildings; plane towards landing; Horsemen near Gedera, etc. In other photographs: Metzudat Ko'ach (Nebi Yosha); ceremonies and military parades, soldiers in the navy, etc. One of the photographs was identified as a photograph taken by Boris Carmi (1914-2002), who served as a military photographer. It is possible that other photographs were taken by Carmi or by other professional photographers who worked as military photographers during the War of Independence. The photographs are contained in a cloth folder; on the inner side is a note with a dedication to Israel Ber, the spy: "to Lieutenant Colonel Israel Ber as a souvenir for joint work in the Operations Directorate" (partly handwritten and partly printed). Average size 16.5X11 cm. Mounted on Bristol 33 cm, cloth folder 34.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains on Bristol leaves; minor damages to folder.
Photography, 20th Century
Photography, 20th Century