Album of Photographs – Etzel Prisoners in Internment Camps in Africa / Sports Competitions / Improvised Sports ...

Album of Photographs – Etzel Prisoners in Internment Camps in Africa / Sports Competitions / Improvised Sports Medals / Certificate Signed by Menachem Begin
Album of photographs and a collection of items which belonged to Etzel member Zrubavel Lilior from Haifa, who was arrested in 1944 and was detained for six months in Palestine (in Acre and in Latroun) and 45 months (!) in Africa. [Sembel, Asmara, Eritrea; Carthago, Sudan; Gilgil, Kenya, 1944/1945 until July 1948].
· Album with about 250 photographs taken in the different British Detention camps in Africa – in Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya – documenting daily routine in prison and especially sports competitions organized by the detainees. · Two improvised wooden sports medals made by hand, "In Asmara Exile", Hanukkah 1946, and awarded to the second place winner of high jump and long jump competitions. · "Service certificate" on behalf of Etzel chief headquarters, signed by Menachem Begin, with personal information about the holder of the certificate, including the total period of imprisonment and detention. · Member card (temporary), issued by the Kenyan Exiles, with the period of time of imprisonment in Palestine and in Exile.
The album contains numerous photographs documenting sports competitions – mainly football and athletics – among the detainees, photographs of theater plays performed by the detainees (including photographs from the play "Gale HaYam"), group photographs with the sign "Zion Exiles in Asmara", photographs documenting visit of South African chief rabbi in the camp, daily life in the camp (washing, haircut, kitchen, dining room, etc.), as well as a photograph titled "First hours of freedom". The album opens with 13 photographs of drawings by Etzel member, the painter from Haifa Leopold Pinchasovich, depicting the Sembel camp near Asmara during the year 1947, and ends with a number of photographs taken in Palestine after Lilior's release and a number of photographs of views and people taken in Africa (most probably not taken by Lilior).
Size of photographs varies, 4.5 X 4.5 cm. to 17 X 12 cm. Good overall condition. Some stains to several photographs. Some detached photographs. Album: 41X29 cm, in good condition. Wooden medals: approx. 6X3.5 cm (diameter: 3.5 cm). Very good condition.
Literature: Etzel in Red Haifa by Yehudah Lapidot (Hebrew). Published by "Brit Chayale HaEtzel", Tel-Aviv, 2006. Seventh Chapter – "In Prison".