"First Day of Hebrew Post", four Minister Sheets bearing the first nine postage stamps issued by the State of Israel. May 16, 1948.

Official commemorative sheets, each bearing the complete set of nine "Doar Ivri" postage stamps, in denominations of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 250, 500, and 1000 mils. Each sheet is inscribed at top with the date "7th Iyar 5708, 16.5.1948" and the words "Doar Ivri", and at bottom with the inscription "First Day of Hebrew Post" (Hebrew). These sheets are known as "Minister Sheets", as they were distributed to ministers and dignitaries. The first edition was only printed in some 40 copies, on thick, yellowish paper, with the stamps affixed between midnight and the morning of May 16, 1948.

The present lot includes four copies:

1. "Doar Ivri" – A copy postmarked ten times with the Sde Yaakov postmark, dated 7th Iyar 5708 (May 16, 1948).

2. "Doar Ivri" – A copy postmarked seven times with the "Tabul" Philatelic Exhibition postmark, dated 7th Iyar 5709 (May 6, 1949).

3-4. "Doar Ivri" – Two unmarked sheets (the stamps in these copies are held in plastic sleeves and affixed with small pieces of tape).

21.5X26 cm (one with wider margins, approx. 29X22.5 cm). Good condition. Two of the plastic sleeves detached.