Bidspirit auction | Ottoman Empire – Palestine –

Ottoman Empire – Palestine – Rishon Le Zion – Jewish Colony Mail (R.L.Z.) – Cover with early J.N.F. label and Austrian postmark, circa 1905 - Commercial cover sent from Rishon Le Zion to the Jerusalem Hotel, Jerusalem. Printed sender heading at left: Jerusalem Hotel – Proprietors: E. L. Kaminitz & Sons Telegraph address: KAMINITZ – JERUSALEM. The cover bears an early Jewish National Fund (J.N.F.) label with Star of David design, issued in Vienna and distributed in European and Middle Eastern Jewish communities in the early 20th century. The label did not pay postage; it represented a voluntary donation to the J.N.F. It is tied to the cover by a special Austrian postmark reading: R.L.Z. – POSTE AUTRICHIENNE (abbreviation for Rishon Le Zion). This cancellation relates to the Austrian postal network operating in the Jewish colonies during the Ottoman period, when foreign post offices competed to provide mail services to Jewish settlements in Eretz Israel. Estimated date: 1903–1908, likely around 1905 (pencil notation at upper corner). Condition: Complete cover with typical age toning, light creasing and minor edge wear. J.N.F. label well preserved with clear strike. An uncommon early Zionist postal item combining an early J.N.F. label with the Austrian Rishon Le Zion postmark. Items from the collections of Jacob Yablok - VirtualJewishmuseum.com. The items are placed in a quality proactive nylon sleeve and can be easily and safely taken out from the display page. Displayed on a thin cardboard sheet.