A letter written and signed by the first president of Israel, Chaim Weizmann, has failed to find a buyer at an auction.

The letter, which was estimated to fetch up to £1,500, was written to Lady Lloyd George, the first female MP and daughter of the First World War prime minister, Lloyd George, on October 26 1945.

Mr Weizmann, who was also president of the World Zionist Organization, wrote that he was “deeply moved” by a letter Lady Lloyd George had written in the Daily Telegraph.

His letter read: “In these dark days, when we are assailed on all sides by difficulties – by enemies intent on killing our last hope – such evidences of continuing friendship and understanding are doubly precious to us.”

The letter appeared as lot 395 at Bloomsbury Auctions yesterday as part of a collection of more than 700 continental and English literature, manuscripts, letter and poetry.

A spokesman from Bloomsbury Auctions said: “The sale of continental and English literature and history, manuscripts and autograph letters, modern first editions and war poetry was an overall success , but lot 395 failed to find a buyer.”