Zachor. Stamps of Israel. Memorial Stamp-Europe. New Canaan, 1948.

Dedicated by Szyk to the Memory of the Six Million, A Powerful Remembrance of The Holocaust

SZYK, Arthur. Zachor. [Remember]. Stamps of Israel (Memorial Stamp—Europe). First Day Cover. Signed in Hebrew “Artur Szyk”. (New Canaan, CT, 1948). Pen and ink on paper. Sheet size: 4 5/8″ x 4 3/16″. Image size: 3 1/2″ x 4″. Very Good condition.

Szyk designed Zachor, which means “remember” in Hebrew, as a Memorial Stamp for Israel and chose to illustrate (in Hebrew) a quote from the Book of Deuteronomy (26:8) referencing the slavery of the Israelites in ancient Egypt: “And God brought us out from there with a strong hand and outstretched arm.” The image itself is of a complex flower, a rose, to which a Magen David (Star of David) has been painted in the center with the Hebrew letter “Shin” within. [The letter “Shin” is the first Hebrew letter of the word for God “Shaddai” as well as the first letter of Szyk in Hebrew.] The symbology of the rose with its accompanying thorns has always been representative of beauty accompanied by pain. It is quite apparent that Szyk designed this image with the Holocaust in mind, recalling that life, beauty and goodness can still spring forth from the thorn of oppression and pointed affliction. Szyk’s parallel to the slavery of his Hebrew ancestors followed by liberation is clear.

Arthur Szyk obviously intended that this image would be used as a postage stamp in Israel to honor the memory of the Six Million Jews of Europe who lost their lives during the Holocaust. The stamp design was never published.

It is a very rare occurrence to find Szyk’s signature in Hebrew, or any of his works directly drawn in remembrance of The Holocaust.

Provenance: Alexandra Szyk Bracie, daughter of Arthur Szyk.

Publishing History: Newsletter, The Arthur Szyk Society, Burlingame, CA, Summer 2010, p. 6.