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The Alexander Collection in the Alexander Museum of
Postal History and Philately in the Eretz Israel Museum
in Tel Aviv is an impressive assemblage of historic and
philatelic documents embracing six centuries of history in
The Holy Land.
For over 50 years, Zvi Alexander has worked diligently
to build the most significant collection of Holy Land
postal history. The collection’s importance derives
from its enormous scope, the length of the historical
period it covers, and its unique concentration of rare and
significant items.
Stamps and their usage on letters reflect not only the
historical, economic, cultural and political background of
their times, but also demonstrate the means available for
communication and the prevailing transportation arteries.
Until recently, letters were the most common and important
way for people to communicate with family, friends,
business associates and institutions. Thus through
philately, we learn about the lives of people throughout
different periods and in many places around the world.
A continuous Jewish presence remained in the land of
Israel. This presence was gradually expanded by groups and
individuals immigrating to Israel, mostly for religious
reasons. In 1870, the first Jewish agricultural school,
Mikveh Israel, was established by Alliance Israelite
Universelle, The school’s purpose was to help the Jews in
the land of Israel become self-sufficient and improve their
living conditions. Indeed, the 1880’s saw the establishment
of the first Jewish agricultural communities (Moshavot)
in Palestine, followed by the first communal settlements
Moshavim and Kibbutzim. After World War I, the Ottoman
Empire disintegrated and the British ruled Palestine
for thirty years. World War II brought with it illegal
immigration of Jewish refugees from Europe. Finally, May
14, 1948 saw the birth of the State of Israel.
The Alexander Collection
IV