An exceptional piece of Judaica and Holy Land postal history: an original letter by Sir Moses Montefiore (1784–1885), sent from Ramsgate, England, to Jerusalem in 1874 and preserved together with the original envelope in which it was transmitted to the Holy Land. The letter is written in Hebrew on Montefiore's distinctive stationery used for his Holy Land correspondence, headed in blue: “HOLY LAND SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE, BART.” The text contains a response incorporating expressions of acknowledgement, appreciation and blessing in the course of Montefiore's correspondence with the recipient in Jerusalem. At the foot of the letter appear Sir Moses Montefiore's impressive autograph signatures in two languages – in Hebrew: “משה מונטיפיורי” and in English: “Moses Montefiore” Beside the signatures is preserved a large and impressive silver wafer seal, bearing a detailed heraldic device. Of particular importance, the letter survives together with the original envelope in which it was actually transmitted from England to Jerusalem. The cover is manuscript-addressed to: Mr. Marcus Cohn Jerusalem Holy Land The envelope bears a Victorian British Six Pence postage stamp and a Ramsgate postmark dated 5 October 1874, together with additional postal markings associated with its journey to the Holy Land. The reverse again bears Montefiore's distinctive blue: “HOLY LAND – SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE, BART.” device, together with a second silver wafer seal, bearing a detailed heraldic device and corresponding in type to that preserved on the letter. The remarkable combination of an original Montefiore letter sent to Jerusalem, his Hebrew and English autograph signatures, special “Holy Land” stationery, two silver wafer seals, the original postal cover, Victorian postage stamp and postal markings documenting its transmission from Ramsgate to the Holy Land gives the ensemble considerable importance both as Judaica and as 19th-century Holy Land postal history. Montefiore devoted much of his exceptionally long life to the welfare of the Jewish communities of the Holy Land and visited the country seven times. Significantly, 1874 was also the year of his seventh and final visit to the Holy Land, adding further historical context to the date of this correspondence. Original Montefiore correspondence actually sent to the Holy Land is particularly desirable, especially when, as here, the letter and its original postal cover have survived together as a single historical ensemble, retaining signatures, seals and contemporary postal evidence. A rare, museum-quality historical ensemble, vividly documenting Sir Moses Montefiore's direct connection with Jerusalem and the Jewish community of the Holy Land during the 19th century. The dimensions stated above refer to the letter. Envelope dimensions: 11.1 × 6.9 cm.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art