Rishon Le-Zion 
ne of the earliest colonies -- as its name "First to Zion" indicates -- Rishon Le-Zion was founded in 1882 by ten pioneers from Russia. The town's first wine cellar was built with the help of the Rothschild Administration, and it grew to become a wine-growing center. In 1904, the Turkish Administration opened a post office in Rishon Le-Zion named "Aioun Cara" after a nearby Arab village.

Figure 11
October 8, 1903. A registered cover to Germany mailed at the Austrian Post Agency. Handstamped "Rishon Le Zion/Par Poste Autrichienne", manuscript "10" in the center of the "David Shield". The "Jerusalem" in the registration label crossed out and Jaffa inscribed. One of three recorded registered letters from Rishon Le Zion.

Figure 12
September 25, 1908. A postcard to London with a Hebrew cachet "Posta Haostrit Rishon Le Zion, Leshana Tova" (Austrian Post, Rishon Le Zion - Happy New Year). The only known example.

Figure 13
February 18, 1910. Postcard from Rishon Le-Zion with arrival of Jaffa Austrian Post, February 18, 1910. A stampless picture postcard free of charge. "Richon Le-Sion Poste Autrich" postmark. One of two recorded examples of this postmark, the other example on an unaddressed postcard. An additional Petah Tikvah postmark applied on the left side.

Figure 14
February 22, 1910. Printed matter to Vienna. Two JNF labels tied by a bilingual cachet "Rishon Le Zion/Par Poste Autrich" with Shield of David in the center. One of two recorded examples of this cachet. Forwarded by the Austrian Post office in Jaffa.

Figure 15
July, 1908. Postcard to Constantinople, mailed at the Ottoman Post Office in Rishon Le Zion named "Aioun Cara".
Figure 16
April 4, 1906. Postcard from Rishon Le-Zion, mailed through the German Post Agency, to Jerusalem. "Rischon Le Zion Durch Deutsche Post - Bei Jaffa Palestina" (Rischon Le Zion, near Jaffa Palestine, by German Post) cachet). The cachet recorded from 1905 until 1914. The postcard taxed on arrival in Jerusalem, 1/2 Piaster Postage Due.

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