The American Zion Commonwealth (Inc) Affiliated with the Zionist...
The Construction of a "Jewish Commonwealth" in Palestine American Zion Commonwealth. The American Zion Commonwealth (Inc.) Affiliated with the Zionist Organization of America. [New York: American Zion Commonwealth?], 1920. 15 pp. Pamphlet in printed wrappers, formerly stapled and recently resewn. Light toning, soiling and a few small chips to wrappers, rear wrapper, which has two small stains, adhered to final leaf with cellotape, faint fold lines to corners, internally clean. Item housed in 9-1/4" x 4" three-quarter calf folder with gilt title to spine. $450. * Only English edition, published in Yiddish the same year. The American Zion Commonwealth was established in 1914 by American Zionists for the purpose of purchasing land in Palestine for Jewish settlements. Suspended during World War I, it became active after the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate for Palestine and established several large and well-known settlements still populated today. Probably produced for fundraising purposes, this pamphlet describes the group's mission and business model as not only a business enterprise, but a social and political one: "It is our firm purpose to enlist in our ranks all those who see in Zionism not only a political project but a social ideal." Notably, it compares the Commonwealth to the British East India Company and holds up the latter's blend of political power and business acumen as a blueprint for the Commonwealth, though it disavows "the longing to live on luxuries secured by the toil of conquered subjects." The pamphlet also includes the group's articles of agreement with the Zionist Organization of America and an excerpt from "Justice Brandeis in Palestine." This is a rare item. OCLC locates 1 copy (National Library of Israel).
Price: $450.00
Book number 79457