Collection of Letters and Telegrams - Thanks and Greetings to the Defense Attorney of the Jews in the ...

Collection of Letters and Telegrams - Thanks and Greetings to the Defense Attorney of the Jews in the "Tiszaeszlár Libel" Trial, 1882-1883
Fifty-three letters and telegrams sent to Károly Eötvös by personalities and rabbis in Europe in gratitude for his endeavors for the Jews in the "Tiszaeszlár Libel" trial. Sent from different towns is Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Bohemia, 1882-1883. German and Hungarian.
The "Tiszaeszlár Libel" was a blood libel that spread in the Hungarian village Tiszaeszlár after a Christian girl by the name of Eszter Solymosi disappeared from her home and never returned. Fifteen Jews were accused of kidnapping the girl and murdering her, and in the summer of 1882 the Jews were prosecuted for that deed. The Jewish community turned to the attorney Károly Eötvös who undertook the defense. During the trial Eötvös worked tirelessly, proved that the testimonies were false, protested against the torture that the investigators imposed and finally, early in august 1883, led to the acquittal of all the Jews.
Offered here are twenty four handwritten letters (some written on official stationery and some on calling cards) and twenty nine telegrams, sent to Eötvös in gratitude by merchants, journalists, bankers, rabbis and personalities (some were involved in this affair). Most of the letters and telegrams were sent in the beginning of August 1883, just shortly after the acquittal announcement. Enclosed are three original envelopes.
See: Nethanel Katzburg, Antisemitism in Hungary 1867-1914, Tel-Aviv: "Dvir", 1969, pp. 106-155.
Size of letters varies. Telegrams: approx. 20.5X21.5 cm. Condition varies. Good-fair overall condition. One telegram in poor condition, torn and falling apart.