?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000
"TERMS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH HITLER AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CZECHS" (ISRAEL.) WEIZMANN, CHAIM. Group of 3 Typed Letters Signed, "Ch. Weizmann," as President of the World Zionist Organization, to President of the Zionist Organization of America, Rabbi Solomon Goldman. The first, congratulating him on being elected President, expressing uncertainty about whether a Zionist Congress would be held this year, expressing disappointment in the Évian Conference's lack of support for Palestine, and proposing that a new conference be organized with a focus upon Palestine and featuring prominent Jewish personalities such as Einstein [Keren Hayesod, Antwerp, held in September, 1938?]. 3 pages, 4to, "Jewish Agency" stationery, written on separate sheets; paper clip stain at upper left. The second, marked "Secret" at the head of the first page, projecting a negative outlook for Zionism in light of the British having negotiated with Hitler after the crisis in Czechoslovakia, pressing him for support from America, expressing skepticism that Malcolm MacDonald discussions are in earnest, suggesting that he meet with Ben Cohn, reporting that he would remain in London until the publication of the [Palestine Partition] Commission's report, and telling him to expect Berl Locker in advance of his visit to America. 2 pages, 4to, "Jewish Agency" stationery; paper clip stain and pin holes at upper left. The third, expressing hope that he would participate in the dedication of the new Institute building [Weizmann Institute of Science]. 1 page, 4to, "Weizman House" stationery, pale blue paper. London, 15 July; 3 October 1938; Rehovot, 11 June 1946
15 July 1938: ". . . [Y]ou are taking office at a most crucial time in the history of our movement and of our people. American Jewry is now the one great Jewish community which still remains intact, and Fate has thus placed upon it . . . a very heavy task, as well as a great opportunity. The coming months will no doubt bring with them momentous decisions which may influence the political situation in Palestine for years to come. But whatever those decisions may be . . . independently of the work of the Commission or of the attitude of His Majesty's Government, we ourselves must see to it that our work continues under any circumstances . . . . It is too early to say whether there will be a Zionist Congress this year . . . . Evian on the other hand has proved a grave disappointment, and its achievement has been almost negligible. Palestine figured hardly at all at the Conference. ". . . [W]e ourselves should set about calling together a Conference which shall deal exclusively with Palestine and its relation to the Jewish position in general. Such a conference . . . would not be intended in any way to replace the Congress. It should take place either in England or America. . . . The success of a conference such as I have in mind would depend . . . on the support forthcoming from America . . . . ". . . [I]t would be well to have the support of some of our great Jewish personalities . . . such as Einstein, Blum, Freud, Brandeis, and perhaps one or two more. . . "As to the programme of the conference, I anticipate that it should be both political and practical in character. . . . On the practical side . . . there is the proposal for the raising of a large loan for development and constructive work in Palestine. . . ." 3 October 1938: ". . . World events have been moving so swiftly that it is still very difficult to draw conclusions, or to appraise the results of the agreement which has been reached. I fear, however, . . . the attitude of the present British Government, and the way in which they have handed over Czechoslovakia, augurs ill for us; I should not be surprised if Mr. Chamberlain's method of appeasement, applied to Palestine, should turn out to mean making terms with the Mufti at our expense in the same way as terms have been made with Hitler at the expense of the Czechs. What that means I need not tell you. . . . ". . . I am sending out this letter as a kind of signal of distress, so as to warn you of what we may have to expect. I am carrying on a series of conversations with Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, which have so far been quite inconclusive. He is harping a great deal on the 'Arab danger' . . . . [Q]uite possibly all these things may be already settled, and these conversations nothing but eyewash. . . ." with--Chaim Weizmann. 6-page printed Western Union telegram to Goldman on June 28, 1940, beginning, "In hour when most European Jewry groans under heel Nazi oppressor and when fate Palestine at stake your convention representing most powerful responsible organization American Jewry assumes truly historic importance. . . ."
