Bidspirit auction | 14–15 May 1948 – Exceptional

14–15 May 1948 – Exceptional Transitional Cover with 9 Jewish National Fund Stamps and Doar Minhelet Ha’am Cancellations, Tel Aviv - An impressive and highly unusual cover from the dramatic transition period between the end of the British Mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel. A remarkable collectible documenting the earliest days of the Hebrew postal service at the very moment of Israel’s independence. The cover bears nine different Jewish National Fund stamps, which were temporarily used as postage during the first days of Jewish administration before the issue of the first Israeli stamps. The stamps are prominently arranged across the entire front of the cover, creating a striking visual composition typical of commemorative items prepared close to the historic event. The stamps are cancelled with two types of transitional handstamps: • Hebrew Doar Minhelet Ha’am – Tel Aviv double circle cancellations. • Mandatory English TEL AVIV B / 15 MY / 48 single circle handstamps, briefly continuing in use after the end of British rule. The cover is addressed to: Kohelet Brisk 8 Atsmon Street, Tel Aviv. Inside the cover is an original handwritten Hebrew letter dated 14 May 1948, the eve of the proclamation of the State of Israel. The text notes that these stamps served the country “between darkness and light, between the period of chaos and the period of Jewish administration, ” and is signed “Tzevi.” The letter was prepared as a commemorative souvenir marking the establishment of the Jewish state. According to later research by the noted philatelic expert P. Kanner (1976), on May 14th 1948 there was no time to officially cancel mail before the post office closed early for the Sabbath. Since May 15th was a Saturday, part of the cancellations were applied only after the Sabbath ended. This explains the presence of both 14–15 May 1948 postal dates on the cover. The item includes: • 9 Jewish National Fund stamps from the pre state period • 6 Hebrew “Doar Minhelet Ha’am” cancellations • 3 Mandatory TEL AVIV / 15 MY / 48 cancellations • An original handwritten letter dated the day of Israel’s independence • An explanatory research sheet accompanying the item The item was acquired from the collector and researcher Y. Tsachor, and includes an explanatory sheet prepared by him describing the historical circumstances of this remarkable cover. Condition: generally good for its age, with signs of use, stains and paper disturbances typical for an opened and preserved historical cover. Items from the collections of Jacob Yablok - VirtualJewishmuseum.com.