Bidspirit auction | IDF - Purim Balls of

IDF - Purim Balls of the Israeli General Staff, Air Force and Defense Establishment, 1956–1965 – Personal Photograph Album from the Archive of Chief of Staff Haim Laskov - An impressive and unusual collection of more than 120 original photographs arranged within album pages from the personal photographic archive of Lieutenant General Haim Laskov, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. The photographs are not glued to the pages and may be removed individually without damage. More than 90% of the photographs document Purim balls of the Israeli General Staff, the Air Force and the defense establishment, including the well-known “Bal Agam” events held in 1957, 1960, 1961 and 1965, alongside an Israeli Air Force Purim celebration in 1956 and an additional Purim event from 1958. A small number of photographs depict other social events, visits and activities involving Haim Laskov and senior defense officials. Among the identified personalities are Haim Laskov, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Moshe Dayan, Haim Bar Lev, Major General Israel Tal (”Talik”), and Major General Dan Tolkovsky, Commander of the Israeli Air Force. It is also possible that Ruth Dayan and Rehavam Ze'evi (”Gandhi”) appear in some of the photographs. Numerous additional senior IDF officers, generals, Air Force personnel and members of Israel's defense establishment are also depicted. Many images portray participants in costume, theatrical performances, dances, competitions and festive social gatherings held as part of the Purim celebrations. Original handwritten captions identify several events, including: Israeli Air Force Purim Party, 1956. “Bal Agam” Purim Ball, 1957. Purim Ball, 1958. “Bal Agam” Purim Ball, 1960. “Bal Agam” Purim Ball, 1961. “Bal Agam” Purim Ball, 1965. The photographs provide a rare glimpse into the informal social life of Israel's military leadership, featuring humorous performances, masquerades, musical acts, dancing and candid interactions among some of the country's most influential military and political figures. Total of 13 album pages: 6 pages measuring approximately 44 × 35 cm. 7 pages measuring approximately 33 × 22 cm. More than 120 original photographs in various sizes. The overwhelming majority, over 90%, document Purim balls of the Israeli General Staff, the Air Force and the defense establishment. Most photographs are smaller than postcard size; the smallest measure approximately 9 × 6 cm. Overall condition: Very Good to Excellent. Minor handling wear to the album pages. An exceptional documentary archive illustrating the informal social life of Israel's military leadership during the 1950s and 1960s, featuring many of the commanders and decision-makers who shaped Israel's defense establishment in its formative years.