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Judaica and Hasidic Books and Manuscripts

Lot 66:

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Historic 1921 Washington D.C. Jewish Immigrant Letter – Signed by Moshe Shapiro on Commercial Furniture Store Stationery to the Vaad HaKlali in Jerusalem

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Start price: £100

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Description

A fascinating primary document capturing the economic, cultural, and charitable lifestyle of the early 20th-century Jewish immigrant community in the United States capital, demonstrating their deep connection to the Old Yishuv in the Holy Land.


  • Overview: An official commercial stationery letter dated late summer 1921, sent from Washington D.C. directly to the central rabbinic charity administration in Jerusalem.
  • The Stationery & Business: Written on the beautifully printed English commercial letterhead of "M. Shapiro – Dealer in Furniture, Carpets, Stoves, etc." located at 416-418 4½ Street SW, Washington, D.C. It offers a stunning visual contrast between early American commerce and traditional charity networks.
  • The Sender: Written and signed at the conclusion by the host and community donor, Moshe (Morris) Shapiro (משה שפירא).
  • The Donor Ledger: The body of the text itemizes specific contributions sent to support the poor and scholars of Jerusalem, detailing:
    • Mrs. Chana Esther bas R. Moshe ($10.00) – מרת חנה אסתר בת ר’ משה
    • R. Peretz Sheinerman ($5.00) – ר’ פרץ שיינערמאן
    • R. Moshe Shapiro ($5.00) – ר’ משה שפירא
    • General Charity Fund ($3.31) – צדקה כללית
  • Receipt Verification Note: The document features a prominent handwritten archival note in blue ink added upon arrival by the scribes of the Vaad HaKlali Knesset Israel (ועד הכללי כנסת ישראל) in Jerusalem, confirming receipt of the funds on 18 Elul 5681 (ח"י אלול תרפ"א) via bank check #6078. Per professional cataloging standards, the main text block is offered untranscribed.
  • Notable Connection: Early 1920s Jewish communal artifacts from Washington D.C. are significantly scarcer than those from major immigrant centers like New York or Chicago, making this ledger a highly desirable item for collectors of American Jewish history and Jerusalem institutional provenance.

Condition report:

Details: The single commercial sheet is structurally clean, sound, and complete, displaying its original vertical mailing creases. The paper displays natural light uniform age-toning. The printed English letterhead is perfectly distinct, and the entire handwritten text block, signatures, and Jerusalem blue ink notations remain exceptionally bold, crisp, and 100% legible throughout.