EMIL RANZENHOFER

Viennese Artist 1864 - 1930

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Psuedonyms

Masons

Ranzenhofergasse

WW I Artist

WW I Posters

WWI Postcards

WWI Sketches

WWI Etchings

WWI Dankl Exlibris

WWI Book Illustrations

Jewish Artist

Golden Book Certificates

JNF Land Certificates

JNF Tree Certificates

JNF Telegrams

Sixth Zionist Congress

Advertising Artist

Posters

Poster Stamps

Metal Signs

Graphic Artist

Post Cards

ExLibris

Book Illustrator

Meister Brieff

Sheet Music Illustrator

Contributing Illustrator

Etcher and Painter

Etchings of People

Etchings of Places

Plant & Animal Etchings

Oil Paintings

OELBAUMSPENDE (TREE) CERTIFICATE
Emil Ranzenhofer designed the first JNF Tree Donation Certificate.  The very first one was called the "Oelbaum Spende" or "Gifts of Olive Trees".  If a donation of five or more trees was made in the name of a person or organizeation, then they would receive one of these certificates.  The original intention was to grow only olive trees (hence "oelbaum" on the original certificate).  But, since other kinds of trees were also needed, the fund name was quicky changed to just "Baumspende" or Tree Fund.
Emil's original image of the Tree Certificate has  also been used by the JNF on Postcards and Stamps.  An example is shown below on the left.
This certifcated was  again modified and Emil's trademark symbol of the Lion of Judah in the center of the Star of David was replaced with a likeness of Theodore Herzel sometime after his death in 1904 (see image below center).  The new version was designed by an artist from Israel's own Bezalel School of Art.  This certificate has been modified many times over the years (see version #3 on the bottom left), and its use continues today.
 

Original Version used on a Postcard
Second Version of Tree Certificate
Third Version of Tree Certificate