Description:

David Ben-Gurion Signed Large Vintage Photograph, Ca. May 1947

A vintage silver gelatin photograph depicting Israeli statesman David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) accepting a portrait drawing, boldly signed by him in English as "D. Ben-Gurion" on the mat. Ben-Gurion's signature measures 5.25" x 1.25" alone. Also signed and dated-- possibly by the artist of the drawing or by the photographer--as "Charles Bergman May 1947" on the mat to the right. The photograph has a few superficial scuffs and the lower right corner shows some silvering, else near fine, measuring 13.5" x 10.5" itself. The mat is lightly toned and shows expected wear to the edges and corners, else very good, 14.125" x 15" overall.

The photo was taken in May 1947, one year before Ben-Gurion declared the formation of the modern state of Israel on May 14, 1948. The British had controlled Mandatory Palestine since 1920, but in May 1947, they asked for international guidance in resolving the complicated question of possession and ownership. The British submitted the Palestine question to the United Nations. The results of the 11-nation investigative committee informed the British announcement in September 1947 of their intention to liquidate Mandatory Palestine in May 1948.

David Ben-Gurion, "Israel's founding father," was an integral part of the Israeli independence movement. He helped compose the Israeli Declaration of Independence, and, as Chairman of the Provisional State Council of Israel and its Minister of Defense, proclaimed the free state of Israel on the same day that the postwar British mandate expired.

David Ben-Gurion was born David Grun in 1886 in modern-day Poland, then part of the Russian Empire. During adolescence, Ben-Gurion became intensely interested in Hebrew studies and Zionism. He relocated to Palestine in his 20s, was deported to Egypt during World War I, and lived in the United States between 1915-1918. Ben-Gurion returned to the Middle East after the war, where he actively participated in pro-labor and grassroots Zionist politics for the next twenty-five years. Ben-Gurion served as Israel’s first prime minister almost uninterruptedly between 1948 and 1963.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 30, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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