User:HG1/Workshop/Stamps

Non-free content to justify use of designer's artwork not on the stamp

=JNF stamps=

The Jewish National Fund produced and sold thirty million stamps between 1902 and 1914 as "promotional materials" to "help spread the message of Zionism." Their biggest seller was the "Zion" stamp and 20 million copies of this blue-and-white stamp with a Star of David and the word Zion were sold. Four million copies of the "Herzl" stamp, issued between 1909 and 1914, were sold. The stamp depicted Theodor Herzl gazing at a group of workers in Palestine, using the famous picture of Herzl on the Rhine Bridge from the First Zionist Congress, superimposed onto a scene of a balcony overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Stamps with pictures of Max Nordau, David Wolffsohn, the Wailing Wall, a map of Palestine, historical scenes in Palestine and landscape in Palestine, sold about one million copies each. A total of 266 different stamps were produced by the JNF's Head Office in Jerusalem between 1902 and 1947.

From 1902 until the late 1940's, the JNF also relied up the sale of JNF stamps to raise monies. For a brief period in May 1948, JNF stamps were actually used as postage stamps during the transition from Palestine to Israel.

Kremenezky, the first head of the JNF -- credited with starting the JNF stamp program in 1902 "First Steps" -- webpage of Jewish Agency for Israel http://www.israelprograms.org/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+History/Zionist+Institutions/KKL+JNF/First+Steps.htm?WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished

JNF stamps were collected

"A JNF stamp had served as legal tender earlier still. ln 1909, the Petah Tikvah post office won the permission of the Austrian government to issue a stamp for the Austrian postal service. It was issued with the consent of the JNF which benefited from half its revenue, the other half going to Petah Tikvah's communal coffers. Its circulation however lasted only a year - until the Turkish authorities got wind of it, and stopped it." - Propaganda and Zionist Education: The Jewish National Fund, 1924-1947 by Bar-Gal

Nathan Bistriski, head of schools department, urged purchases of JNF stamps as "an obligatory mitzvah" for Jewish students. Stamps were also attached to "theatre tickets, membership cards, and all community payments" JNF also arranged for organizations to put the stamps on their letterhead, including Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Histradrut. Bar-Gal calls this a form of indirect taxation or "self-taxation" within the Zionist movement.

They also approached haredi ("ultra-Orthodox") groups: We ask you to make all efforts to distribute these stamps among the 'Mizrahi', 'Torah V'Avoda', and 'Bnei Akiva' circles and amongst ultra-orthodox circles in general. One must try to make sure that the Rabbinical offices and the Rabbis attach these stamps to every letter, judgement, certificate, and so on, which they issue. ... One must also clarify whether it is possible to introduce the custom of attaching a JNF stamp to invitations to weddings, circumcisions, bar mitzvah celebrations, festive parties, and so on, as well.... (quoted on page 48)

1943 diapora series (actually 3 series) of 71 stamps Source = Livni 21-28

JNF used the stamps to symbolize the Zionist vision of a Jewish state, publicize JNF ideology, and raise monies.

JNF issued more than 4,200 stamps, beginning in 1902.

The 1939 Zionist Congress declared that all Zionist organizations were required to place JNF stamps on their official correspondence.

street scenes, key buildings and musical and religious themes. picture from sol singer collection: Jewish engraving, Jewish street in Tunis, synagoguesm Jewish workman, Kovno tabernacle.

Cities and villages: Amsterdam, Basel, Belgrade, Brodi, Budapest, Frankfurt, Lublin, Kovno, Krakow, Nikosburg, Mazibuz, Prague, Rome, Saloniki, Toledo, Tunis, Vienna, Vilna, Volfe, Warsaw, Worms Buildings: Arch of Titus, casino (site of first Zionist Congress, ghettoes and "Jewish streets," religious school of the Baal Shem Tov, synagogue, tabernacle, Characters: child, Herzl, laborer, musicians, Prophet Eliyahu (as depicted in a siddur), Rashi, refugees, shoemaker, two Talmud scholars, Events, Scenes = expulsion, Purim, summertime,

"Jewish street" = 1,1, 1

Israel's Declaration of Independence scroll and ceremony
Wallish was responsible for the callligraphy and design of the scroll for Israel's [Declaration of Independence. Due to drafting debates beyond his control, Wallish had only finished the bottom part of the scroll by the time of the signing and announcement. In fact, David Ben-Gurion did not read the actual scroll but had to work from handwritten notes for the public declaration on May 14, 1948.

Wallish's scroll was prepared in three sections that were bound together. The original Declaration scroll is located in Israel's National Archives.

In addition, Walisch handled the preparation of the exhibit hall in which the State's Independence was announced. At the direction of Ben-Gurion and the immediate guidance of Zeev Sharef, Secretary of the National Administration, Wallish had the hall cleared of art not related to Jews and Israel. He had the hall's works exchanged for such works as Marc Chagall's "Jew Holding a Scroll."

Israel's first Doar Ivri stamps
In 1948, too, Wallish took the lead in designing Israel's first postage stamps. He chose a design based on ancient coins, found in archaelogical research on the First Jewish-Roman War and the Bar Kochba Revolt. He also designed the first day cover for the stamps first usage on the first business day after Independence was declared, Sunday, May 16, 1948. Since the name of the state had not yet been determined during the design and secretive printing of the stamps, they were designed with the name Doar Ivri (lit. Hebrew Post) rather than Israel, the name found on all subsequent postage issues.

In 2007, several original pieces of Wallish artwork for the Doar Ivri stamp were sold at auction. In one preliminary essay, the stamp is designed as a triangle. Furthermore, in another Wallish essay, the stamps were prepared with the "wrong" name of the state: Yehudah.

Other Israel stamps
After Doar Ivri, Wallish continued to be a leading designer of Israeli stamps. His doar ivri design was also used for Israel's first provisional postage dues; he then designed Israel's first postage dues (1949) and the, the symbol of Israel Post. Wallish design the annual holiday stamps in 1948 and 1952, stamps for three philatelic exhibitions (the souvenir sheet for Tabul 1949, Taba 1952, Tabim 1954). He also prepared the first airmail stamps, a definitive series with motifs from ancient art (1950), the coinage stamps definitives (based on doar ivri but with Israel named), as well as provisional official mail (bul sherut) stamps on the coinage design (1951) stamps.

Wallish also contribute a variety of original designs, including stamps commemorating Petah Tikva's 70th anniversary, Israel Independence Day (1951, 52, 54, 57 and 58), World Refugee Year (1960), the 25th Zionist Congress (1960), and the centennial of the Hebrew press in Israel (with a Halbanon newpaper page in the background, 1963). He also designed a menorah stamp (1952) and a defense series (1957), with the insignia of the Haganah.

In 1950, Wallish designed a stamp to celebrate Israel's acceptance into the Universal Postal Union. With a globe in the background, the design foregrounds the symbol of the Israel Post, a running stag. Ironically, he had submitted a bid for a design of the Israel Post symbol but had lost out to the brothers Shamir, who also were active in designing stamps. In 1952, Wallish again featured the running stag in his new series of postage dues. (Wallish lost out to the brothers Shamir again in competing for the 1949 Jerusalem stamp. Whereas the winning design depicts a scene looking up toward the city and the Tower of David, the Wallish artwork shows a flat approach and 2 religious Jews on the path to Jerusalem.

Israel's first coins
Israel's first coins were designed from a proposal submitted by Israel Numismatic Society proposal, put together with Leo Kadman, Hanan Pavel, and Wallish.

In addition, he designed a medallion, the Israeli government's first, with a coin bearing the inscription "Judea captured" IVDEA CAPTA

Posters
Over the years, Wallish also designed posters. For instance, one poster shows the Jewish immigration by ship and another promotes the ZIM shipping line. His posters have been featured in exhibition and the 1997 "Selling Zionism" exhibit at the Israel Museum. In 2006, a Wallish poster was shown at "The New Hebrews: 100 Years of Art in Israel" exhibit, Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin. An art critic states that "We Will Immigrate (1946) by Otte Wallish (1903-1977) shows a threatening-looking barrage of ships poised to release their passengers--possibly illegal immigrants--onto Palestine's shores."

Selected works

 * Mechner, E. and O. Wallisch. Palestine transformed : a pictorial atlas of Eretz Israel Jerusalem : [Keren Kayemeth (Jewish National Fund) and Keren Hayesod (Palestine Foundation Fund)], 1941.
 * E. Mechner ; artistic arrangement by Otte Wallisch. Tel Aviv. (Series: New Palestine in Pictures.) Tel Aviv : The Maon Press, 1937. 31 leaves
 * Wallisch, Otte. ABC: Ein Bilderbuch. Jerusalem: Keren Kayemeth Leisrael, 1929
 * Ziman, Joshua. Erez Israel in figures Jerusalem: Keren Kayemeth Leisrael, 1931

Misc info
french on doar ivri ask ceedjee

looks like originally Otte Wallisch see this book w/graphic from 1931 and this on Ontwerpers/designers -- he died 7-15-1977 ? 

the shamir brothers made symbol of israel and the Israel Post flying stag according to he:wp wallish bid for the symbol (w/strosky?) but his design wasn't chosen []

also designed the first government medallion, Judea captured IVDEA CAPTA search:אוטה וליש he's not in he:wp as bio, 4 hits designed this stamp w/image in he:wp about the Yechiam crusader castle

his work on coins here: "Upon the establishment of the State of Israel on May 15,1948 the government needed to promptly release currency. The Israel Numismatic Society submitted designs with the assistance of graphic artist Otte Wallish. The designs were approved by the Minister of Finance, Eliezer Kaplan. The devices used for most of the coins are similar to the ancient Judean coins struck 2000 years ago." 

Yisrael essay : [letter of Otto Wallisch] (contributed by D. Mendes da Costa) in BAPIP #64 1970

first design said Yehudah not Doar Ivri ?!!! "Yehuda Essay - 1948 Essay for Israel 1st coins. Sketch in black ink of block of 4 on a proposed 1st day cover, imprinted cachet at left dated 5.4.1948, on high quality white/yellowish paper mounted on card and sign by the designer Otto Wallish at bottom right. Sketch (cover frame) size 175x112mm, Card size 155x209mm. VF & very rare. Tsachor certificate (PH) [ ART WORK] View Image" description image -- please do not use this without HG's permission

"Although Ben-Gurion had little to do with the actual planning of the ceremony that was left to Zeev Sharef, Secretary of the National Administration, and later Cabinet Secretary, he did request that only Jewish or Jewish-related art hang in the hall. The current exhibit was removed and was replaced by, among others, Chagalls "Jew Holding a Scroll," Moldowskys "Pogroms," and Hirshenbergs "Exile." Sharef asked the Tel Aviv graphic artist Otto Wallish to prepare the hall and the scroll of the Declaration." website of Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Shelley Kleiman - The State of Israel Declares Independence 27 Apr 1999

yes -- declaration attributed to him but now contested: "In history books the name Otte Wallish, a known graphic designer, appears as the writer of the document. "History books present different scenarios regarding the writing of the declaration, and one of them says that an anonymous person wrote it, a Torah scriber. Even if Otte Wallish was involved in the writing, the original was written by the same person, and one must remember that history books are not an exact science." based on Ynet News

"The Israel Post Office published a number of well designed posters to advertise their stamps and services. This attractive example was an advertisement for the Defense Fund issue of 1957. The designer, Otto Wallish, (printed in Hebrew on the lower left corner) was born in Czechoslovakia and made aliyah in 1936. He designed the Israeli Declaration of Independence, Israel's first postage stamps and some of Israel's first coins. The lithographer's name Tz. Garbal(?) is on the lower right margin, and the Government Printing Office is identified as the printer on the lower left margin. The poster, mounted on heavy linen, has tears and losses in the margins, all of which have been nicely repaired. The colors are bright."

height 27 1/2"; width 19 1/2"

Price: $425.00 info@artatthecenter.com poster found at and presumably free use, expired govt copyright

he also design currency? "Israel 50 Mils (1952) Pick 6p UNL Face Proof This very rare face design piece has been signed by the designer Otto Wallish. It is done in the design of proofs, but it is stamped in purple in Hebrew as specimen (or sample)."

bio info

"The stamps were designed by Otto Wallish, a Vienna-born graphic artist who settled in Palestine in 1934." http://www.emunah.org/magazine_detail.php?id=21

Livni's list: doar ivri, its postage dues, the 48 and 52 (shir shirim motifs) festival, tabul souvenir sheet, Petah Tikva 49, 49 coinage stamps definitives, new postage dues in 1949, UPU stamp 1950, first Air Mail definitives motifs from ancient art 1950, provisional official 1951 based on the coinage stamps, 1951 and 1952 and 54 and 57 and 58 Independence day, Menora 1952, Taba exhiition Airmail 1952, running stag post dues 1952, new coinage stamps 54, Tabim exhibtion 1954, defence 57, World Refugee Year 1960, 25th Zionist Congress 60, Halbanon newpaper printing press 63, also -- apparently designed the "carpet note" www.rosenblumcoins.com/35d

the running stag is the insignia of Israel Post -- he designed it pprobably right? nah, looks like brothers shamir, he:wp

coins
Bank of Israel official website : "Following the establishment of the State, the government requested the Israel Numismatic Society to propose the designs for a new series of coins. Leo Kadman and Hanan Pavel, together with the graphic artist Otte Wallish, submitted sketches, which were approved by the Minister of Finance, Eliezer Kaplan.

The singular form "pruta" instead of the plural "prutot" was erroneously minted on the five- and ten-pruta coins; this was corrected in a later series of the ten-pruta coins, but not the five-pruta."

rejected designs
besides yehuda -- there's a triangle design for the doar ivri article in Israel Philatelist June 2005 (3rd in series) showing a flat approach w/2 religious Jews to the Jerusalem stamp

declaration
link from article on Declaration of Independence (Israel) w/Otte Wallish: "Unlike Thomas Jefferson, Wallish was in charge only of the scroll's design and calligraphy; he had no say in the language used. ... At the time of the signing, however, only the bottom portion had been completed by Wallish. ... With heated exchanges like those, it is no wonder that it took Otte Wallish until June 1948 to complete the scroll. Ben-Gurion read the declaration from hand-written notes on May 14, 1948." great stuff copied from wiki article declaration: "Although Ben-Gurion had told the audience that he was reading from the scroll of independence, he was actually reading from handwritten notes; by the time of the declaration, only the bottom part of the scroll had been finished by artist and calligrapher Otte Wallish (he did not complete the entire document until June). The scroll, which is in three parts bound together, is now kept in the country's National Archives."

posters
"A bilingual Hebrew-English 1934 poster by Franz Krausz (1905-1998) depicts a hearty young woman who optimistically advertises "the country of the future," while We Will Immigrate (1946) by Otte Wallish (1903-1977) shows a threatening-looking barrage of ships poised to release their passengers--possibly illegal immigrants--onto Palestine's shores." reliable source? copied from Art in America  |  Date: 5/1/2006   |  Author: Kleeblatt, Norman L.

poster at auction: "Otte Wallish (1903-1977) ZIM Haifa-New York via Napoli and Gibraltar s.s. Sion and s.s. Israel 63x95, ca. 1960, pr. Grebel, Israël" http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2904010 (image not so great imo)

minor item: poster chosen for showing at Bograshov Gallery, Tel Aviv, The Jerusalem Post, July 12, 1991, DOING IT WITH MIRRORS, Gil Goldfine

better: The Jerusalem Post. January 31, 1997, Friday "Selling Zionism" Meir Ronnen, FEATURES; Pg. 18, A new exhibit recalls the days when building the new Jewish state was a business one could take pride in. [somebody else] "...one of the many refugees from Nazi Germany who injected new life into the arts and sciences here. These "yekkes," German-born or trained, dominated the cultural life of the country and teaching institutions like the Bezalel. The posters of four notable yekke designers, Oskar Lachs, Otto Wallisch, Franz Kraus and Rudi Deutsch- Dayan, all reflect various aspects of European poster art of the period, from Cassandre in France to Rodchenko in Soviet Russia. Most of the posters are exhortations to establish industries and many utilize the Russian penchant for photo montage. Incidentally, the Bezalel, in the '60s not yet an academy, was able to move into modern graphic design only when new broom Dan Hoffner ensued that Deutsch- Dayan was pensioned off."
 * Wrong: "However the labels at the show are also in English, with some errors, like Otte for Otto. (Palevsky Design Pavilion, Israel Museum)."

books
statistical graphs for: Erez Israel in figures Joshua Ziman 1931 English Book Book 25 p. 15 cm. Jerusalem, Keren Kayemeth Leisrael, LC: HA1936 OCLC: 917588 no isbn

Title: 	Tel Aviv / Author(s): 	Mechner, E. Wallisch, O. Publication: 	Tel Aviv : The Maon Press, Year: 	1937 Description: 	31 leaves : ill., fold. map ; 30 cm. Language: 	English Series: 	New Palestine in Pictures; LC: DS110.T3 Responsibility: 	by E. Mechner ; artistic arrangement by Otte Wallisch.

ABC: Ein Bilderbuch / Otto Wallisch 1929 German Book Book 27 Bildtaf. ; kl. 8. Prag : Keren Kayemeth Leisrael, OCLC: 72289581

Mechner, E. Palestine transformed : a pictorial atlas of Eretz Israel / by E. Mechner and O. Wallisch. Imprint: 	Jerusalem : [Keren Kayemeth (Jewish National Fund) and Keren Hayesod (Palestine Foundation Fund)], 1941. Description: 20 p. : ill. ; 18 x 25 cm. Wallisch, O. joint author.