A Gallery of Hebrew Poets, 1725-1903, London, 1903

Elegant book in album edition by Joseph Massel, exhibiting the photographs and history of Hebrew poets between 1725-1903.

The book includes 94 portraits of the most noteworthy Hebrew poets, 'sublime people of our nation ... all the poets of the last two hundred years.' The book contains rare pictures which make their debut within this album, as the author writes in the introduction: "We are correct in saying that we succeeded to collect ... the pictures, including some of which are valuable, not yet having been viewed by the public ...' The pictures are encircled by handsomely decorated frames. Underneath each photograph is the name of the subject, the titles of his poems, and short biographical details.

Rare book not listed in the national library.

The author Joseph Massel [1850-1912] was a poet, Hebrew translator, and Zionist activist. In 1882 he moved to Manchester, England, where he established and headed a Hebrew printing house. He was active in promotion of Hebrew as a national language for the Jewish people. He was one of the first supporters of political Zionism in England, took part in the activities of Zionist societies, served as vice president of the Zionist Association in Manchester, and participated in a number of Zionist congresses.

[5] 94 leaves. 25 cm. Handsome binding with gold embossed lettering displaying the book's title in six languages. Glued to the inner side of the binding is a newspaper clipping with the names of those who fell in the British War in southern Africa, and another newspaper clipping pasted on the opposite page. Tears to spine. Fine condition.