Rare and important collection – the handwritten signatures of all the signatories of the Declaration of ...

Rare and important collection – the handwritten signatures of all the signatories of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel

A rare and high-quality collection gathered over many years by a single collector – the handwritten signatures of all 37 signatories of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, as signed at the official ceremony proclaiming the establishment of the State. The signatures appear on various letters and documents, including early and important correspondence, some of which were signed years before the Declaration of Independence. For many of the signatories, more than one signature is included, and among the items are also complete early letters in their handwriting, in addition to their signatures.

The thirty-seven signatories of the Declaration of Independence were members of the People’s Council. Twenty-five of them signed the Declaration at the official ceremony held on Friday, 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), eight hours before the end of the British Mandate over the Land of Israel. Eleven members, who were unable to travel from besieged Jerusalem to the ceremony, as well as a representative of Agudat Yisrael who was then in the United States, added their signatures at a later date. Presented here is a complete historical collection, assembled over many years, consisting of official letters and documents signed over the years by all members of the People’s Council who signed the Declaration of Independence – without exception. For most signatories, the collection includes more than one signature, and even entire handwritten letters bearing both their handwriting and signature.

Here is the detailed breakdown:

David Ben-Gurion – Signed letter regarding assistance to the Elikand family to leave the Soviet Union, November 1962.

Daniel Auster – Six signatures: signature on an early power of attorney document from July 1927, signature on an early check from 1930, signature on a letter concerning the Women’s League for Israel (1960), and three additional signatures on letters of recommendation from the 1960s.

Mordechai Bentov – Signature on official letterhead while serving as Minister of Housing, November 1969.

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi – Two signatures: signature on an early letter from March 1937 concerning the publication of his book series Divrei Yemei Am Yisrael, handwritten letter with his signature regarding assistance to a Jewish woman in Poland.

Eliyahu Berligne – Signature on an official document of the National Committee regarding support for the educational enterprise in Eretz Israel "at this grave hour", dated December 7, 1941, also includes a letter written by representatives of the National Committee to Eliyahu Berligne on Purim 5701 (1941).

Peretz (Fritz) Bernstein – Five signatures: a printed letter with his handwritten signature from the time of the War of Independence concerning the appointment of a liaison officer in Haifa (April 1948), a congratulatory letter on the occasion of a friend’s wedding (August 1946), his signature on official letterhead of the "General Zionists Union in Eretz Israel" in a letter dealing with the question of appointing a supervisor over the general schools in Eretz Israel – April 1946, and two early handwritten letters bearing his signature.

Zev Wolf Gold – Two signatures: an early handwritten letter on official letterhead of the Jewish Agency, dated 21 Iyar 5713 (1953), regarding a scholarly Jew from the Mizrachi movement, and another signature on a Jewish Agency for Eretz Israel document concerning the "Book of Volunteering" – "toward the national defense of Israel’s independence in our state" – September 1949.

Meir Grabovsky – Two signatures: an early handwritten letter concerning arranging work for a chalutz, and a printed letter with his handwritten signature on official letterhead of the National Committee – August 1946.

Yitzhak Gruenbaum – Five signatures: an early letter with handwritten annotations and signature on official letterhead of the Hebrew State Party, dated April 12, 1934, concerning a humiliating incident involving a Jewish refugee from Germany who was told upon arriving at an immigrant absorption center, "You have no right to be here, you’re a parasite" – Gruenbaum inquires whether the details are accurate and requests assistance for the immigrant, a signed letter on official letterhead of the Zionist Executive from May 1941 regarding support for a loan fund for veteran Zionists, a handwritten and signed letter to Kaplan Hospital, a handwritten and signed letter regarding his attendance at a friend’s wedding, and his signature on an official Jewish National Fund document – May 1952.

Avraham Granovsky (Granot) – Three signatures: his signature on an early Jewish National Fund document in Czechoslovakia concerning an immigration permit for Mrs. Margit Cohen – June 1927, a handwritten and signed congratulatory letter – Tammuz 5710 (1950), and his signature on a stock certificate of the Jewish Colonial Trust.

Eliyahu Dobkin – Four signatures: an early handwritten and signed letter on official letterhead of the Executive Committee of the Histadrut regarding the promise made by Edwin Samuel (son of High Commissioner Herbert Samuel) for a “quick resolution of the matter” – November 1935, his signature on a joint document with other signatories concerning the appointment of Mrs. Neumark as an educator in a school operated by HaAliyah – December 1935, his signature on a document from the Aliyah Department concerning books for the HeHalutz library – May 1946, and his signature on a letter dealing with safety arrangements in the building of the Institute for Youth Movement Leaders from Abroad – October 1949.

Meir Vilner – Signature on official Knesset letterhead – October 1989.

Zerach Warhaftig – Signed official document concerning the composition of the Religious Council in Tel Aviv – May 20, 1964.

Herzl Vardi (Rosenblum) – Two signatures: his handwriting and signature on a first day cover envelope commemorating the issue of the Herzl postage stamp, and his signature on official letterhead of the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, where he worked for many years as a journalist.

Rachel Cohen – Two signatures: her signature on official letterhead of the National Committee, in a letter concerning the visit of Dr. Katznelson to youth institutions, and her signature on an early check dated October 20, 1940.

Kalman Kahane – Two signatures: a signature on official letterhead of the Poalei Agudat Yisrael organization in Eretz Israel regarding the “Gemul” company – May 1958, and a letter (on official Knesset letterhead) dealing with the role of Israel Meir Sagi in the Yom Kippur War, signed by Kahane – Hanukkah 5736 (1976).

Saadia Kobashi – Three signatures: a long and interesting handwritten letter with his signature – in the letter, Kobashi addresses Mr. Liva’i, director of the Yemenite Talmud Torah, requesting that he recommend him using the following phrasing, which Kobashi drafted himself: “Mr. Saadia Kobashi HaLevi served as secretary of the dining hall attached to our school from Monday, Tevet 2, 5697, until Kislev 15, 5698. He fulfilled his duties with integrity and loyalty. I hope, sir, that you will fulfill my request.” In this letter, Kobashi signed twice – once with his full name, and again at the bottom with his initials – Kislev 7, 5697 (1937). He also signed a certificate from the National Committee – Department of Education from his time serving as a teacher in the department – 14 Tammuz 5702 (1942).

Yitzhak Meir Levin – Two signatures: an early handwritten letter with signature – a congratulatory note to a friend on the occasion of his son’s wedding – 5694 (1934), and a signed letter addressed to the Mayor of Bnei Brak, Yitzhak Gerstenkorn, on official letterhead of the World Agudat Yisrael Organization.

Meir David Lewinstein – Five signatures: an early handwritten letter in a foreign language with his signature – August 1936, his signature on an early check from Barclays Bank – May 1946, a handwritten and signed letter – August 1946, his signature on the “Blue Card” – a social welfare initiative for new immigrants – February 1942, and his signature on a receipt from Sheli Palestine Ltd.

Zvi Luria – Two signatures: an early signature on official letterhead of the National Committee for the Assembly of Israel concerning support for building a school in the country – September 1935, and an early handwritten and signed letter regarding Hanukkah celebrations at the Great Synagogue in Ra’anana – 25 Kislev 5700 (1940).

Golda Meir (Meyerson) – Early signature under her maiden name Golda Meyerson on official letterhead of the Histadrut – a letter concerning the expulsion of a student from the nurses’ school at Beilinson Hospital – July 1939.

Nahum Nir-Rafalkes – Two signatures: an early signature on official letterhead of Rafalkes as an attorney – regarding a certificate of inheritance – June 15, 1931, and a signature on an official document issued by the Association of Hebrew Lawyers in Tel Aviv – October 1942.

Zvi Segal – Signature on an official document of the Union of Revisionist Zionists in Eretz Israel, concerning the appointment of a special committee to investigate the financial conduct of the organization – November 1947.

Yehuda Leib HaCohen Fishman – Two signatures: an early handwritten and signed condolence letter (undated), and an early signed letter from Tevet 5684 (1924) regarding members of the Mizrachi circles in Tel Aviv who may be able to assist with the United Israel Appeal (Keren Hayesod) fundraising campaign.

David Zvi Pinkas – Four signatures: his signature on an official document from the Chamber of Commerce in Austria – October 1934, an early letter on official letterhead of the Tel Aviv Municipality – June 1937, his signature on official letterhead of the Tel Aviv Religious Council in a letter concerning a complaint from a kashrut supervisor – November 1940, and a handwritten and signed letter regarding assistance in finding housing for the Printz family – Kislev 5709 (1949).

Aharon Zisling – Two signatures: a handwritten and signed letter to Zvi Laban on official letterhead of the Ein Harod Art Museum, in which Zisling demands that Laban fulfill his promise to support the museum – March 1956, and his signature on a letter regarding Bnei Akiva youth clubs – 1961.

Moshe Kolodny (Kol) – Four signatures: his signature on a letter regarding the publication of manuscripts by Mr. Glikson – August 1941, a congratulatory letter to Meir Avner on his 70th birthday, on official letterhead of HaOved HaTzioni – September 1942, his signature on a typed letter from the Working Settlement Movement – August 1953, and a handwritten and signed New Year’s greeting – August 1960.

Eliezer Kaplan – Two signatures: his signature on a Jewish Agency for Eretz Israel national loan certificate – Tel Aviv, June 1948, and a signed letter from his tenure as Israel’s Minister of Finance, in which Kaplan urges Mr. Santo to strengthen his support for the young State of Israel – October 1951.

Avraham Katznelson – Two signatures: a handwritten and signed note in response to a letter from Chaim Berlin, and his signature on an official document of the National Committee concerning support for social institutions.

Felix Rosenblüth (Pinchas Rosen) – Four signatures: his signature on an official document submitted to Anglo-Palestine Bank regarding changes in the management of the newspaper Haaretz – September 1936, his signature on an early receipt from 1939, his signature on a document of the Friends of Scouting Association in Israel during his time as president of the association – a fascinating letter sent to Dr. Y. Prader, discussing the development of the Hebrew scouting movement and requesting his support for this significant initiative – May 1964, signed in his hand.

David Remez – Three signatures: an early handwritten and signed letter regarding the Frumin controversy – April 1933, an early handwritten and signed letter sent to Mr. Zamora concerning the examination of attorney Shmuel Friedman – July 1936, and a signed document from the Mivnim company.

Berel Reptor – Three signatures: an early handwritten and signed letter on official letterhead of the Histadrut regarding decisions made by the Haifa Workers’ Council – Av 5683 (1923), a handwritten and signed letter regarding the commemoration of Sh. Yavneh-Ali – June 1961, and a handwritten and signed letter of congratulations to the director of Mivtachim.

Mordechai Shatner – His signature on an official document of the Economic Corporation for Jerusalem Ltd.

Ben-Zion Sternberg – His signature on an official document of Lishkat Hermon – March 1956.

Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit – Two signatures: his signature on an official document issued by the Sephardic Community Council of Tel Aviv concerning the elections for the Chief Rabbinate – October 1960, and a handwritten and signed letter on official letterhead of the Ministry of Police – December 1965.

Moshe Shapira – Six signatures: an early handwritten and signed letter – January 1936, a signed early letter concerning HeHalutz – August 1938, his signature on a joint document (with other signatories) inviting Mrs. Neumark to work as an educator in a HaAliyah institution – December 1935, an early handwritten and signed letter (undated), his signature on a letter addressed to Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook regarding the inauguration of the new premises of Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva – July 1964.

Moshe Shertok (Sharett) – Three signatures: his signature on official Jewish Agency letterhead – May 1933, a handwritten and signed letter in which Sharett objects to formal meetings being held at Café Hermon, written on official Jewish Agency letterhead, and an early handwritten and signed congratulatory letter.

Also included in the collection: first day covers commemorating 25 years of the State of Israel, featuring the iconic photograph of David Ben-Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence at the ceremony; printed versions of the Declaration of Independence in both English and Hebrew; printed photographs of Ben-Gurion; various first day covers with portraits of the signatories of the Declaration; an official invitation to the POW Exhibition, where Meir Grabovsky spoke – May 1946; an official invitation to a gathering at the "Beit Brenner" club with the participation of Golda Meir – 1960; two letters signed by Attorney General Chaim Cohen; a letter signed by Cabinet Secretary Ze’ev Sherf; and additional items.

The collection is preserved in a binder. Overall very good condition.