210

David Ben-Gurion

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
David Ben-Gurion

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2015 Mar 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
An impressive archive spanning fifty years in the life of Ben-Gurion, consisting of a signed photo, nine ALSs, eighteen TLSs, all with exceptional content, a signed 1920s Histadrut Teachers Union Membership Registrar, and 1948 Independence issues of Ha'aretz and The Palestine Post. All of the letters are in Hebrew, and each is accompanied by a printed description and partial translation, as well as background information regarding the time period and those involved in the correspondence. All items are housed in an 11.5 x 12 album. A sampling of the large archive follows:

A Histadrut membership register, signed in Hebrew, “D. Ben-Gurion,” 4 x 5, 30 pages, circa 1920s. Register is to a 69-year old member of the Teacher’s Union, The printed pages are not filled in, however, there are 75 Hebrew notations penned on the last two pages.

Undated two-page ALS, signed “D.B.G,” written to Mr. Warhaftig, possibly Zerach Warhaftig. In part: “It appears that you are mistaken to desire the government to enter into a general debate/argument. It is the Knesset committee which decides when bills are addressed and/or non-confidence votes, etc.…There are no secrets and the members of the Knesset know as much as members of the committee.”

Carbon TLS, signed in ink, “D. Ben-Gurion,” one page, 8.5 x 5, October 21, 1929, written to an unknown recipient concerning the Palestine Riots and the forthcoming British invasion. In part: “We invited you a while ago to a special meeting regarding the Arab situation in Eretz. Regretfully, you did not attend the meeting. We are sending you the ‘protocol’ of that meeting and ask for your comments on the discussed questions.”

TLS, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one page, 6.75 x 8.25, September 12, 1939. Letter to the Histadrut Poali Agudath Israel, written just 12 days after Hitler invaded Poland and World War II began. In part: “Understanding the joint responsibility of all now is to begin partial settlement is the common consciences, and we accept the willingness to lend a hand in any action.”

ALS, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one lightly-lined page, 4.5 x 8.25, January 14, 1954. Letter to the Chief Rabbi of Petach-Tukva. In part: “I would like to confirm with thanks and esteem the receipt of the precious gift of your book Arei Reuven…I am sure that I will find in it some parts that I will not be in a position to agree with, and also some that I will be glad to accept. Both are dear to me, for there is room in Israel for varying opinions and perspectives, but it is the love of Israel alone that binds us together.”

ALS, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one lightly-lined page, 5.5 x 8, April 19, 1954, to Y. Palmon, Advisor for Arab Affairs in Jerusalem. In part: “I became familiar with the Druze residents of Israel during my term as Minister of Defense. They are revealed to me as excellent fighters, disciplined and loyal to the State…I hope that this tribe will cast in its lot with our people and will find complete freedom and equality in the State of Israel.”

TLS, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one page, 6 x 8, July 7, 1955, to Knesset member Moshe Sneh, a communist. In part: “You can’t ignore what’s going on in Asia with Egyptian rulers & murderous group the Fadayin who attack all Israeli citizens who fall into their trap. The Egyptian ruler [Nasser] told the New York Post that he is not fighting only Israel, but the Jewish nation & Jewish fortune. This tone is reminiscent of ‘Mein Kampf.’”

TLS, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one page, 6.25 x 7.75, March 31, 1956, to editor Gustav Schocken. In full: “There are only a few among us—the Communists for example who say: If they shoot at us—be silent; if they murder us—be silent; if there are terrorists—be silent, those who say this are either stupid or they are pretending to be stupid. It is not in keeping with the respectable press—that a talented journalist such as yourself should say something so foolish. Every nation under attack and especially us, is obligated to protect itself, self-defense is sacred, it is so inscribed in the Charter of the United Nations.”

Included with the letters is a glossy 8 x 10 photo of Ben-Gurion, signed in ballpoint; an original Sunday, May 16, 1948, issue of Ha’aretz, proclaiming the State of Israel; an original Sunday, May 16, 1948, issue of the Palestine Times, proclaiming the State of Israel (first two pages); 32 unsigned candid photos of Ben-Gurion (various sizes); and four sheets of photo proofs of Ben-Gurion from 1969, bearing 127 total images. In overall fine condition.

This amazing collection encompasses Ben-Gurion’s life and contributions to the creation of the State of Israel. Ben-Gurion campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the Zionist cause in Europe and the United States throughout his life, here commenting on such tragic events as Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland—a cataclysmic event that led to the deaths of some six million Jews during World War II—to the eventual 1948 proclamation of the Israeli state and the right of Israel to defend itself. He finally retired from politics, at age 84, in 1970, shortly after appearing on the offered photo proofs. A rare opportunity to amass a historical volume of correspondence.