LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 380  / 

322

Benito Mussolini

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Benito Mussolini

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2011 Dec 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Bombastic Italian dictator and leader of the National Fascist Party (1883–1945). Known as ‘Il Duce,’ he brought Italy into the Axis powers. Handwritten speech, in Italian, signed “Mussolini,” three pages on the reverse of book proof pages, 8 x 9.5, no date, but circa Feberuary 1930, being Mussolini's eulogy for the Italian Fascist Party's General Secretary, Michele Bianchi. In full (translated): “Black Shirts of Italy! Michele Bianchi, Quadrumvir of the Republic, has died. With profound sadness I announce this to you. He was one of the best among us. Interventionist, he intervened in 1915; was among the founders of the Fasci di Combattimento (Fascist Party) in 1919; secretary of the party in 1922; quadrumvir during the decisive days of the march on Rome; honoured corporal of the Voluntary Militia for National Security; State Councillor; Fascist Minister; he tirelessly served the cause of the Fatherland and of Fascism for fifteen years. Journalist; statesman, he took from his native land of Calabria his intelligence, his silent perseverance, his active faith. I am witness to this before you and before the glorious shadows of our martyrs that are waiting for him. Faithful to his orders, he died, fulfilling his duty until his last moments. Black Shirts of Italy, raise your flag to half-mast, and honour the memory of this comrade of our first epic vigil, faithful warrior - ready at any time and in any event - of our Revolution.” In very good to fine condition, with tack holes to edges, small tears to top left corners, and uniform toning.

Michele Bianchi was a revolutionary, highly critical of the socialist party which he had been drummed out of for voicing pacifist opinions. As a founding member of Italy's National Fascist Party, he was one of the ‘Quattuorvirate’ who led the March on Rome, the pseudo-coup d'etat that brought Mussolini to power as prime minister in October of 1922. He then went on to hold various positions in Mussolini's government until his death from tuberculosis in 1930. At the time of Bianchi's death, Mussolini was at the height of his popularity, having recently reconciled with the Vatican and gaining recognition for Italy's sovereignty. In this speech Il Duce uses the occasion to further his agenda and approval by appealing to the public’s renewed sense of nationalism.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot