Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 58

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Judaica

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 96		Dreyfus, Alfred (1859-1935) Jewish French army officer, wrongfully convicted of treason in 1894. The Dreyfus Affair became a cause célèbre when, on January 13, 1898, French author Émile Zola published an open letter titled "J'accuse!" ["I accuse!"] to French President Félix Faure on the front page of the newspaper "L'Aurore," giving the actual facts of the case and charging a cover-up at the highest levels. The article, considered by many the greatest newspaper article ever published, electrified France and brought the attention of the world to the case, exposing the antisemitism and militarism which had perverted justice. Zola was himself tried and conviced of criminal libel (he escaped to England), but the letter was the impetus for Dreyfus' exoneration and reinstatement in the military in 1906. Autograph Letter Signed "A Dreyfus," one page with integral leaf, in French, 6 x 4½ in., 101 Bd. Malesherbes (Paris, 1908). Written on stationery with a black mourning border to Émile Zola's widow. Dreyfus regrets that Mme. Zola is unable to join them for lunch on Wednesday and says that she forgot to answer two questions from his last letter: from what time could one go to the Pantheon Wednesday evening, and would flowers be accepted at the Pantheon? On June 4, 1908, Zola's remains were transferred to the Pantheon, where many of France's greatest citizens are interred. Dreyfus, of course, attended the ceremony for the man responsible for bringing his case to international attention and leading to his exoneration and reinstatement in the army. A right-wing journalist named Gregori tried to assassinate Dreyfus during the proceedings, but only managed to wound him in the arm. Reflecting the antisemitism which had caused Dreyfus' wrongful conviction for treason in 1894, Gregori was tried and acquitted. Zola had died in 1902 from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a blocked bedroom chimney, probably by a member of a right-wing group that was angry at Zola's part in freeing Dreyfus. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. Obtained directly from Zola's family. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,116
Lot 97		Dreyfus, Alfred. Autograph Note on Dreyfus' engraved visiting card, in French (Paris), January 13, n.y. Dreyfus wrote "13 janvier - souvenir eternellment reconnaissant," commemmorating the publication of Zola's "J'accuse" article and expressing his eternal gratitude. The date "1906" is penciled by another hand at top right, and the number "3" is at top left. Light toning, else fine. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. Obtained directly from Zola's family. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 98		(Judaica) New Year Greeting Card, c. 1930. Faux check with Jewish symbols written on the "Bank of Heaven" paying 365 days of "Health, Wealth and Happiness"; with a blank to fill in the name of the recipient. Printed in Germany. A zeppelin hovers above a city scene and a steamship heading out to sea. Estimated Value $100 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $59
Lot 99		Weizmann, Chaim (1874-1952) Polish born Israeli chemist and politician who was the first president of Israel (1948-1952). Seven months after Hitler became dictator and began his campaign to exterminate the Jews of Europe, Dr. Chaim Weizmann writes American Zionist leader Louis Lipsky, chairman of the American Palestine Campaign, as the conference of the Joint Foreign Committee of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Anglo-Jewish Association is about to open in London with the sole purpose of settling German Jews in Palestine. Typed Letter Signed "Ch Weizmann" in English, one page, 8 x 5 in., Oakwood, 16 Addison Crescent [London], October 29, 1933. In full, "This is just a line, in great haste before the opening of the J.F.C. Conference, to thank you for your letter of the 16th, and for your three telegrams � two about the Conference, and one announcing Weisgal�s arrival on the Majestic. Your letter only reached London on the 27th � too late for us to do anything by way of telegraphing to you as regards Weisgal�s departure, since we assumed then that he would be arriving for the Conference, which closes on Wednesday, November 1st. Anyhow, I shall be delighted to see him and talk things over with him as your representative. I entirely agree with the points you make in your two telegrams about the Conference, and shall do my best in that sense; but as to the results � who can guarantee anything? I shall let you know what happens if there is anything worth communicating." On watermarked "Nile Blue" laid stationery, address engraved in red. Two file holes at top blank margin. Pencil docket at top. Fine condition. The American Palestine Campaign was the fundraising body in the United States of the Central Bureau for the Settlement of German Jews in Palestine, of which Dr. Chaim Weizmann was the Chairman. Louis Lipsky (1876-1963) was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Federation of American Zionists (1912-1921) which became the Zionist Organization of America in 1917. In 1920, he and Chaim Weizmann established the Keren Hayesod as the fund raising instrument of World Zionist Organization, a general fund supporting Zionist work in Palestine. In 1945, Lipsky went to London to confer with Weizmann and other Zionist leaders to help bring World War II survivors to Palestine. He headed the American Jewish Congress delegation to the organizing conference of the United Nations in San Francisco to press for the creation of a Jewish state and from 1949-1954, served as Chairman of the American Zionist Council, representing all branches of the Zionist movement in the United States to mobilize to protect the new state of Israel. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold