Altneuland [“Old-New Land”- a novel]

HERZL, THEODOR

Hermann Seemann Nachfolger

Leipzig

(1902)

THIS COPY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY HERZL TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW. Front endpaper with dedication in the hand of the author: "Der lieben Ella / der liebe Theodor / 6 XI 1902.”

Father of political Zionism, Theodor Herzl seldom inscribed his publications. This volume, with a loving, personal dedication to his wife’s sister, is especially significant given the dramatic and often challenging experiences Herzl encountered within his family life. Herzl’s wife Julia, née Naschauer, had three siblings. The youngest was Gisela, nicknamed Ella (1875-1939). Alt-NeuLand is Herzl’s Utopian novel in which he envisioned the social and cultural climate of a brand new Hebrew Nation. The motto of the book, noted on its title-page, became the watchword of the entire Zionist Movement: “If you will it, it is no dream” (Wenn Ihr wollt, Ist es kein Märchen).