A Postcard with a Photograph of Joseph Trumpeldor – A Dedication Hand-signed by Trumpeldor, From the Time of his ...

A Postcard with a Photograph of Joseph Trumpeldor – A Dedication Hand-signed by Trumpeldor, From the Time of his Service in the Zion Mule Corps – Alexandria, 1916
Real-photo postcard – photograph of Joseph Trumpeldor wearing the Zion Mule Corps uniform. A dedication handwritten by Trumpeldor appears on front of the postcard, written in Alexandria in 1916.
A portrait photograph of Trumpeldor with a dedication in his handwriting, in Russian: "to corporal Z. Kogan. Trumpeldor". Details about the location and date are added below the dedication: "Alexandria, Egypt / 22.II.1916" / Captain Zion Mule Corps". Presumably, this postcard was dedicated to Zvi Eliyahu Cohen (1899-1936), jurist, one of the first members of the Revisionist Movement and Brit HaZionim HaRevisionistim (Zohar) in Palestine. Cohen also fought with the Zion Mule Corps and was Trumpeldor's interpreter.
Joseph Trumpeldor (1880-1920) was one of the founders of the Jewish Legion and HeChalutz and commander of defense of Tel-Hai court in 1920. He was born in Russia and was the first Jewish officer to serve in the Russian army, serving also in the Russo-Japanese war, during which shrapnel crashed his left arm and it was amputated. In January 1905, when the Russian army was defeated in the battle on Port Arthur marine fort, Trumpeldor was captured by the Japanese. During his time in prison Trumpeldor was engaged in founding Zionist and national institutions and organizations for Jewish prisoners. Trumpeldor immigrated to Palestine in 1912 and worked as a agricultural laborer. During World War I he was among the founders of the Jewish Legion (with Ze'ev Jabotinsky) and participated in the Galipoli Campaign as deputy commander of the Zion Mule Corps and as commander of the corps. After the war Trumpeldor returned to Russia and was one of the founders of Hechalutz movement. In 1919 he returned to Palestine and was called to assist with the protection of the northern end of upper Galilee settlements. Trumpeldor was killed in the battle of Tel-Hai on Adar 11, 1920. His character and bravery led to him being considered a national hero in the history of Zionism.
Approx. 8.5X13.5 cm. Good condition. Some stains and creases.
Provenance: Rimon Family Collection.