Bidspirit auction | Autograph Letter by Sir Moses

Autograph Letter by Sir Moses Montefiore to R. Shmuel Salant, Ramsgate 1881. - A handwritten letter signed by renowned philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, to the Chief Rabbis of Jerusalem - R. Shmuel Salant and R. Refael Meir Panigel. Written on his hallmark “Holy Land” official stationery - by his secretary, and personally signed by him.  In this letter, Montefiore affirms he will send a contribution to “Tzedakas R. Meir Ba’al HaNes”, and asks the Rabbis to transfer the monies to that charity fund.  Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) was a British financier and banker, activist, and philanthropist. Born to an Italian Sephardic Jewish family based in London, after he achieved success, he donated large sums of money to promote industry, business, economic development, education and health among the Jewish community. He famously renovated and built walls around Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, which bears his name until this very day.  Besides his philanthropy in helping the “Yishuv” in Jerusalem, he was also very active in supporting Eastern European Jewry. There was perhaps not even one town throughout Russia which did not benefit greatly from his generous financial assistance. As such, Montefiore has since been a household name. He is perhaps the only religious Jew who is recognized by all of Jewry, irrespective of their religious observance.  With the personal autograph of Sir Moses Montefiore, signed when he was 95 years old. Letters bearing his autograph are rare and uncommon.  In excellent condition.