Theodor Herzl Autograph Letter Signed.

HERZL, Theodor.

$4,500.00

Item Number: 147485

Vienna:, March 10, 1902.

Rare autograph letter signed by one of the founders of modern political Zionism. Octavo, one page on Herzl’s personal stationary, the letter reads in full (translated), “Since our children’s current teacher told us that it was difficult for him to find a replacement in the middle of the school year, we have decided to keep him until the exam. For next year, however, we want to entrust our children’s lessons to you and will allow ourselves to inform you in good time.” In very good condition with toning, splitting along the mail folds, a small loss and cello tape evidence to the lower edge of the verso. Accompanied by a panel from the original envelope, addressed in holograph with the original cancelled orange Austrian 6-heller postage stamp featuring profile of Kaiser Franz Joseph I, and a hand painted card featuring artwork of the Hof von Beethoven house.

One of the founding fathers of modern political Zionism, Austro-Hungarian journalist, playwright, political activist, and writer Theodor Herzl formed the World Zionist Organization in 1897 and was elected its first president. Although Herzl died before Israel's establishment, he is known in Hebrew as Chozeh HaMedinah, or Visionary of the State. He is specifically mentioned in the Israeli Declaration of Independence and is officially referred to as "the spiritual father of the Jewish State" who gave a concrete, practicable platform and framework to political Zionism.