Sold by Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 24 September 2003
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Autograph letter signed by the founder of modern day Israel and first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion regarding his controversial meeting with Angelica Balabanoff, a close associate of Benito Mussolini. Addressed to German-Israeli Holocaust survivor Walter Zvi Barak and dated October 26, 1968, the letter translated from Hebrew into English reads, "Shalom and greetings. I learned of the photograph only from your letter. Indeed, I exchanged a letter with Ms. Balabanova, but I do not remember ever meeting her or being photographed with her. I know that Mussolini was once a socialist. I would not have been ashamed to have a picture taken together with Balabanova, but as far as I can recall, I never met her, and in any case, I do not know how this picture got into a book about Mussolini. It is very possible that this is not my photograph, but I see no crime in being photographed with Ms. Balabanova. Yours sincerely." Accompanied by the letter from Walter Zvi Barak to which Ben-Gurion is replying which reads, "As a man who is professionally engaged in teaching and studying the history of the new era, I have recently come across a finding that forced me to draw your attention to. I have purchased the book: Mussolini â " a Study in Power by Ivone Kirkpatrick Pocket book, Disensbooks published by arrow books Febr-1968. The book is accompanied by a series of photographs from the fascist world, including many pictures of Hitler and the famous picture depicting the hanging corpse of Mussolini. Among these pictures, much to my surprise, is a photograph of your honor with Ms. Angelica Balabanoff, a Jewish socialist whose influence on Mussolini was great even before he became a fascist, during his days as the editor of "Avanti". I was shocked to see a photograph of your honor in the framework of fascist illustrations, and by publishing the picture with such a combination, I doubted that it had been done without your knowledge and without the consent of your honor? As a Jew in general, and as a survivor of the Holocaust in particular, I was deeply saddened by the matter and I feel the affront expressed here towards your dignity as the leader of the Jewish people, the victim of fascism. Another interesting fact stands out. In all the pictures, the characters are identified by name and function, but in this photograph, in which also your honor appears it was stated: "Angelica Balabanoff, a socialist acquaintance of Mussolini" I deliberated with doubt that this might not be the picture of your honor at all, so I asked certain friends for identification, and indeed no one doubted that this was a photograph of your honor. There are three options available now: a) That your honor is aware of the existence of this photograph and agrees to its publication. In such case â " will you please accept my expression above as a personal response stemming from deep sorrow. b) That your honor does not know about its existence and its printing â " then my hope that my referral will be beneficial for your honor. c) That this is not the picture of your honor, and then would you please be kind enough to inform me of the regrettable mistake and accept my heartfelt apology. I would be happy to receive an answer from your honor. With great respect and honor, Zvi Barak." Born in Russia and educated in Belgium, Angelica Balabanoff (1878-1965) joined the Italian Socialist Party after settling in Rome in 1900, becoming a close associate of Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), the future Fascist dictator of Italy. Balabanoff returned to Russia in 1917 to support the Bolshevik cause but again went to Italy in 1922 having grown disillusioned by Russian Socialism. Ben-Gurion met Balabanoff in Tel Aviv in 1962 and a photograph of their meeting was included in Kirkpatrick's 1964 book Mussolini: Study of a Demagogue. The letters are in near fine condition. A unique association. David Ben-Gurion was the primary founder of the State of Israel and the first Prime Minister of Israel. Ben-.
Seller Inventory # 110631
All books are first editions, first printings unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. All items are guaranteed. Domestic shipping is free. www.raptisrarebooks.com
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A., +1 561-508-3479, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
Books are dispatched immediately. Standard domestic shipping is free. International shipping is done at cost.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 6.05 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
