"Brycha" 1945-1948. Home Through the Vale of Tears [SIGNED & INSCRIBED]
N.P. Published by the Bricha movement, circa 1948. Softcover. Oblong quarto. 9.5x13.5". Unpaginated. Housed in a custom brown leather over marbled paper clamshell box, with gilt lettering on the spine. Original photo-illustrated tan paper wrappers, with black lettering. 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.
Text in English, Hebrew and Yiddish.
Wrappers overall in great shape for known copies of this work, with only minor sunning to the covers, and minor rubbing and chipping to extremities. Interior and images throughout quite clean. Book block tight. Binding in very good, interior in near fine condition overall. A great copy of this scarce work. vg to near fine. Item #50097
* 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: $7,500.00