Sir Moses Montefiore Signed Envelope Addressed to Rabbi Adolf Kurrein in Linz, Austria

Envelope Signed “Moses Montefiore,” 5.75” x 3.75”. Postage stamp removed, postmarked Ramsgate, May 11, 1877. Addressed in secretarial hand to Rabbi Dr. Adolf Kurrein in Linz, Austria. “Linz” postal marking on verso to the right of flap engraved in blue: “Holy Land / Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart.” Flap sealed with depiction of Montefiore’s Coat of Arms. Stains and minor wear. Very good condition.

Signed by Montefiore in his 93rd year (he lived to 100). He and his brother-in-law, Nathan Mayer Rothschild, became business partners in the Rothschild banking business in London. Montefiore retired in 1824 at age 40. He was Sheriff of London from 1837-1838, the year he was knighted by Queen Victoria. In recognition of his services to humanitarian causes on behalf of the Jewish people, he received a baronetcy in 1846. The August 5, 1877, edition of the “Chicago Daily Tribune” reported that “Sir Moses Montefiore, of London, who is now in his 94th year, has offered to undertake a mission to secure an amelioration of the condition of the Jews of Morocco. Several years ago he made a visit to Palestine with a view to the observation of the condition of the Jews there.” His visit to Palestine in 1875 was his seventh and last trip to the Holy Land.

Dr. Adolf Kurrein (1846-1919) was Rabbi of St. Pölten (1872), Linz (1872-1882), and Bielitz (1882-1888). In January 1877, just five months before this envelope was mailed, Kurrien married Jessie Loewe, daughter of Louis Loewe, Sir Moses Montefiore’s secretary.

Louis Loewe (1809-1888) first met Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore in Rome in 1839. Sir Moses invited him to travel with them to the Holy Land. When, in 1840, Montefiore went on his Damascus expedition, Loewe accompanied him as his interpreter. Altogether, Loewe accompanied Sir Moses Montefiore on nine different philanthropic missions. When Jews’ College was opened in 1856, Loewe was nominated principal and when Sir Moses Montefiore opened a theological college at Ramsgate in 1869, he made his friend principal of that institution, which position Loewe retained until his death in 1888, three years after Montefiore died.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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