Das deucsche kaiserpaar im heiligen lande – The German Emperor’s Visit to the Holy Land, published by Ernest Zifried Mittler & his son, Berlin 1899. A magnificent book summarizing Emperor Wilhelm II’s famous journey to Eretz Israel in 1898, accompanied by 77 photographic and illustrated tablets and three maps – one of Eretz Israel and two maps of Jerusalem. Luxurious original cover with gilt inscription.
Among other, there are historical photographs in which the emperor is seen on the ship with his entourage on their way to Eretz Israel, the emperor on his entry to Jerusalem, the delegation’s visit to various places in Eretz Israel, The crowds welcome the emperor and the special gates that have been specially designed for the big event, and many more. The first pages of the book feature an illustration in which the emperor is seen riding a horse as he enters the Jaffa Gate.
The journey of the German emperor Wilhelm II in the cities of the Ottoman Empire is considered one of the major events in the history of the Land of Israel in the 19th century. As part of his journey, the emperor visited the cities of the Ottoman Empire – Beirut, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Haifa and Jaffa. The streets of Jerusalem were decorated with German flags, and even the great rabbis came out to receive him. The crowds arrived in Jerusalem ahead of the visit and rented places on the roofs and balconies of houses on the streets where the processions were to take place. Especially famous the story about the artist Meir Rosin, who was asked to make two wooden gates of honor at the city’s entrances. At that time, Rosin sat Shiva on the death of his eldest daughter Hannah, but Rabbi Shmuel Salant ordered him to get up in the middle of the Shiva days to prepare the gates in time for “honor of kings” – to leave the house before sunrise and return after sunset with dirt in his shoes. Rosin adorned the arch of the “Gate of the Jews” on which was written in Hebrew: “ברוך הבא בשם ה’ ברכנוכם מבית ה’, וילהלם השני, אוגוסטה ויקטוריה, ירום הודם” – “Welcome in the name of G-d, bless you from the house of G-d, Wilhelm II, Augusta Victoria, Yarom Hodam.”
XV, [5], 422, + 27 Boards + three maps, one of the Land of Israel, and two maps of Jerusalem. Few stains on cover. Very good condition.
