Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

"Brycha" 1945-1948. Home Through the Vale of Tears [SIGNED & INSCRIBED] [W/ AN ADDITIONAL 24 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS]

N.P. Published by the Bricha movement, circa 1948. Hardcover. Oblong quarto. 9.5x13.5". Unpaginated. Signed by Ephraim Dekel in pen, in Yiddish, at the top of the title page. This scarce self-published book by the Bericha (or Bricha) movement, this is the only existing contemporary photographic work to document the migration of Holocaust survivors and refugees from the DP camps and post-war centers of Europe in their effort to make Aliyah to Mandatory Palestine.

Through the assistance and coordination of the Bricha movement (meaning "escape" in Hebrew) the Jewish refugees would first make their way over land by foot to Italy and Southern Europe, and then attempt to reach Palestine, in violation of the White Paper of 1939, which severely limited Jewish immigration. The Bricha was supported by the Haganah as part of what is called "Aliyah Bet," the post-war clandestine movement of survivors and refugees to Palestine. After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, these immigration restrictions were removed. There is an introduction written by Ephraim Dekel, the author of the book, in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. Dekel played a leading role in the immigration movement and was a prominent member of the Haganah.

The book is profusely illustrated throughout with countless b/w photographic reproductions depicting the refugees at various stages of their journeys, including at camps, being detained, transported, reaching blockades and traveling by foot etc. The images are accompanied by text captions in Hebrew, Yiddish and English, describing the photographic content and/or providing relevant inspirational poetry and biblical passages. The photographic image on the front cover is surrounded by maps illustrating the areas traveled by the refugees.

*The final section of 6 (single-sided) leaves each contain 4 b/w photographs, tipped in and measuring 3.5x5". The total of 24 photographs depicts all manner of powerful and harrowing images from the Holocaust and the camps. These original photographic images were published as 252 reproduced in the famous 1945 work "Extermination of Polish Jews: Album of Pictures" (Filip Friedmad, ed.).

Text in English, Hebrew and Yiddish.

Binding with some stains, small wormholes, rubbing, and minor abrasions to the front and back cover. Rubbing and minor chipping to extremities. Interior with some stains and creasing to the front free endpaper and interior front cover. Pages throughout stained and some with minor to light creases. A few pages throguhout with some additional minor worm holes, or tears. Binding and interior in good- condition overall. Scarce. g-. Item #48310

*Hebrew titles: "הבּריחה" תש"ו-תש"ח /בנתיב הייסורים למולדת ("The Escape", 1946-1948, in the path of suffering to the Homeland)
Yiddish title: אויף דעם ליינוסוועג קיין ארץ ישראל.

Price: $2,500.00

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