Album Presented as a Gift to Yitzchak Melamed – Director of the Public Works Department during the British Mandate ...

Album Presented as a Gift to Yitzchak Melamed – Director of the Public Works Department during the British Mandate / Photographs by Joseph Schweig
A large and impressive photo-album, presented as a gift to Yitzchak Melamed when he retired after 25 years from his position as Director of the Public Works Department. Jerusalem,1944.
Yitzchak Melamed was born in Odessa in 1900. At the age of 11 he was sent to Eretz Israel, to study in Rosh Pina. Later, his mother and brother joined him. Continued his studies in Herzlia gymnasium. His family was exiled to Egypt during WW I (because of their Russian citizenship) where he studied in a French gymnasium and was granted a French matriculation certificate. Returned with his family in 1919 as a civil servant in the Mandate's government and was promoted to the highest position of a local Jewish civil servant – Director of the Public Works Department and deputy director of the treasury. In 1940 was decorated as M.B.E. – Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on behalf of King George VI. Served as the Civil Service Commissioner and councellor to the Civil Service Commissioner. Died in Jerusalem in 1968.
Album includes: * Twenty photos of senior role holders in the Mandate Government and group photos of Public Works workers in various cities (Gaza, Nablus, Haifa, Jaffa, etc), engineers, architects and other colleagues. *Two professional photos from Jaffa and Acre, most probably taken by Joseph Schweig. *Four large illustrations in color, portraying Melamed's work, accompanied by greetings and short poems. Attached are several personal documents: Permit to Enter Palestine, in the name of Melamed; invitation to the King's birthday party, which was held in the High Commissioner's palace; an elaborate certificate issued by King George VI, certifying that Melamed is a "Member of the British Empire"; A letter handwritten by Edwin Samuel, son of High Commissioner Herbert Samuel; an early handwritten document (in French), signed: Yitzchak Melamed, Rosh Pina", [ca. 1911]. Additional items. Lot of 22 photos, 4 illustrations and 10 documents. Average size of photos: 23.5X15.5 cm. Album 47 cm. Good condition.