Chazon Ish. R. Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz. Rare signature “IS”H Karelitz”. Bnei Brak 1941.

Extremely rare letter in which the Chazon Ish endorses the handwriting of R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz, with his full signature of “IS”H Karelitz”.
During the tumultuous days of the Holocaust a yeshiva student who had learnt in Kaminetz and Mir was deported to Australia as an “Alien” to a detention camp. The student’s father, who had escaped to Eretz Yisroel, approached the Chazon Ish with a handwritten letter he had received from R. Boruch Ber Leibowitz concerning his son.
The father had written to R. Boruch Ber asking him to encourage his son to obtain a formal “Semicha” in order to attain a rabbinical position. In a historical letter R. Boruch Ber responded, suggesting that the parents permit their son to continue his Talmudic learning, adding that their son was destined to become a great Gaon and studying at that stage for Rabbouns was only suitable for those who are not destined to become Gaonim. He continues that eventually, after his Torah greatness would become well known, he would quickly be offered a great rabbinical position. R. Boruch Ber concludes by pleading that his advice be heeded and stating that his own Rebbe, (R. Chaim Soloveitchik) had advised him the same “when you are younger you should learn the more difficult Talmudic studies and when you are older, the easier subjects will follow”. The father, who was reluctant to send the original letter, for fear of it being lost in the chaotic war time conditions, typed a transcript which he brought along with the original to the Chazon Ish. The Chazon signed the transcript confirming that he saw the original in the Gaon R. Boruch Ber’s handwriting, and concluding “written out of high regard for Bnei Torah” and signed “ISH Karelitz”. This is highly unusual as the Chazon Ish generally only signed “ISH”. It is also noteworthy how the Chazon Ish refers to R. Boruch Ber twice with the title “Gaon” which demonstrates the high regard the Chazon Ish had for R. Boruch Ber.
The father then sent the letter signed by the Chazon Ish to Rav Geurvitz of Melbourne requesting that he try and assist his son.
Lot includes additional letter from R. Yitzchok Kossovsky (1877-1951), brother in law of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky and Rav in Johannesburg, South Africa, to R. Geurvitz, stating that he had received a letter from the aforementioned student describing the conditions in the detention camp in which there were around 200 Jews, who needed help to obtain matzos for Pesach.
Varying sizes. Excellent condition.
Opening bid $4000