H istorical d ocument

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20. Ben-Gurion, David. Autograph letter signed (“D. Ben-
Gurion”), in Hebrew, 1 page (4.75 x 8.25 in.; 120 x 210 mm.), 
Sdeh Boker [Israel], 24 October 1967. To Ilan Zeindel, Haifa. 
Lightweight paper. Ink offset at top and bottom from dampness. 
Near fine condition.
Four months following the Six-Day War, Ben-Gurion 
discusses politics.
Ben-Grion writes in part: I supported ‘Ichud’ of the Ha’avodah Party 
in Israel-presuming that this is the movement that considered itself as 
representing the mission of the whole nation based on the eternal values of 
our prophets. When I saw that the leaders of Mapai alienated themselves 
from significant parts of these values-the values of justice, truth and similar 
ones-I do not see myself as part of it since the name ‘Poel’ or a different 
name does not mean anything to me. The name ‘Zionist’ was dear to me 
… but when I realized that the Zionists in the Diaspora do not see an 
obligating relation between being a Zionist and making Aliyah to Israel, 
I understood that this name is void and I announced that I am not a 
Zionist. I was a Mapai member not for its name and because of its name I 
shall not return to the party but I do not disagree with the ethics, the deeds 
and the values which should guide it…
In London on 23 March 1967, Ben-Gurion had defined Zionism 
as “Jewish people on their way to Israel…I am not a Zionist; I am 
a Jew, and that is enough for me…”
In the year 1919, Ben-Gurion participated in the founding of the 
‘Achdut Avoda’ [Ha’avodah] party, and was elected as its leader…
In 1930, the party merged with ‘HaPoel Hatza-ir’ and formed the 
‘Labor Party of the Land of Israel’ (‘Mapai’) … In June 1965, 
he split off from Mapai – together with Dayan, Peres, and others 
– and established the ‘Rafi ’ party…After the Six Day War, Rafi 
merged with Mapai and Achdut Avoda-Poalei Zion to form the 
Israel Labor Party. Ben-Gurion refused to join the Labor Party.
$1,500 - $2,000
21. Ben-Gurion, David. Autograph letter signed (“David Ben-
Gurion”), in Hebrew, 1 page (4.63 x 8 in.; 118 x 203 mm.), 28 
February 1968, addressed to Shifra Golombian (a war widow). Paper 
loss at upper and right edges, not affecting text.
David Ben-Gurion writes a touching letter to a war widow 
about Bar Mitzvah celebrations for orphans of soldiers 
killed in the recent Six-Day War.
Ben-Gurion praises the Habad Youth initiative to make a Bar 
Mitzvah ceremony to orphans of soldiers who were killed in the 
Six-Day War only a year earlier. He regretfully rejects her invitation 
to take part in the ceremony due to previous engagements and 
acknowledges her pain and grief. Ben-Gurion was among the 
founders of Mapai which governed Israel during the first three 
decades of its existence. He stepped down as Prime Minister, on 
personal grounds (as he explained) in 1963, and, in fact, nominated 
Levi Eshkol to be his successor. One year later a rivalry developed 
between the two on the issue of the Lavon Affair. Ben-Gurion broke 
with the party in June 1965 over Eshkol’s handling of the Lavon 
Affair and formed a new party, Rafi which won ten seats in the 
Knesset. As tensions loomed before the outbreak of the Six-Day War 
in 1967, Ben-Gurion strongly urged that Israel must have a Great 
Power on its side. After the war ended with large Israeli territorial 
gains, Ben-Gurion argued that Israel should not keep any territorial 
gains of the Six-Day War, other than a united Jerusalem and the 
Golan Heights. In 1968, when Rafi merged with Mapai to form 
the Alignment, Ben-Gurion refused to reconcile with his old party 
due to it postponing plans to reform the electoral system (Ben-
Gurion wanted to see a constituency-based system introduced to 
replace the chaotic proportional representation method). He formed 
another new party, the National List, which won four seats in the 
1969 election. $1,000 - $1,500

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Profiles in History
   
Historical Document Auction 63
22. Bell, Alexander Graham. Rare oversize photograph signed (“Alexander Graham Bell”), a wonderful profile portrait of the eminent 
inventor (9.75 x 13.75 in.; 247 x 349 mm. - image size 6 x 9 in.; 152 x 228 mm.). Embossed photographer stamp, “Harris & Ewing, 
Washington, D.C.”, at lower margin. Faint stain at lower edge; otherwise, fine condition.
Inscribed by Bell in black ink at the lower margin and signed: “To Mrs. Roland Granville Fortescue, with much love, from her uncle, Alexander 
Graham Bell.”
Grace Hubbard Fortescue (née Grace Hubbard Bell) was the niece of Alexander Graham Bell, and her husband Granville was a Rough 
Rider who served with his cousin Theodore Roosevelt in Cuba. A wonderful association between Alexander Graham Bell and his niece. 
$4,000 - $6,000

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310-859-7701
P
age
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24. Berlioz, Hector. Autograph musical quotation signed (“H. Berlioz”) from Romeo and Juliette, 1 page 
(2.5 x 9.8 in.; 65 x 252 mm), [no place], 1 December 1856. Light browning and spotting.
A musical quotation from Romeo and Juliette. 
Berlioz elegantly writes out seven bars from his Romeo and Juliette on an oblong piece of paper. Beneath 
the quotation, Berlioz dates and signs with a particularly large and bold signature. $3,000 - $5,000
23. Berlin, Irving. Photograph signed (“Irving”) with 
autograph musical quotation (8 x 10 in.; 203 x 254 mm.), 
a handsome head-and-shoulders portrait of the famous 
composer and songwriter. Black and white with light sepia-
tone. This Berlin has drawn a staff with musical notation 
and lyric handwritten, “Come on and hear come on and hear” 
from his song “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”. Inscribed and 
signed boldly to the left of the image his image, “For Harry 
with the best in the world always from Irving”. Photographer’s 
ink stamp on the verso, “George Maillard Kesslere.” at the 
lower right. Slight spotting on lower left and upper right 
margins; otherwise, in fine condition. $2,000 - $3,000

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