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Leaders of World War II

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Leaders of World War II

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Auction Date:2018 Mar 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
A signed one dollar, Series 1935-A silver certificate, known as a ‘Short Snorter,' autographed on the front and back in fountain pen by 25 leading and otherwise notable figures from World War II, including: Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, Dwight D. Eisenhower, King George VI of the United Kingdom, King Peter II of Yugoslavia, Anthony Eden, Louis Mountbatten of Burma, Harold Alexander, Alan Brooke, Arthur Tedder, Hastings Ismay, Max Aitken, Randolph Churchill, W. Averell Harriman, Kathleen Harriman, Roy W. Howard, and others. This historic banknote was once owned by Churchill’s valet, Frank Sawyers, who has signed on the bill's verso, “Short Snorter, F. Sawyers,” and marked below, “Marrakech Chapter,” which suggests that Churchill and Roosevelt signed this dollar bill after meeting in Casablanca in 1943. In very good to fine condition, with some light toning and overall expected handling wear.

Invented by Alaskan bush pilots in the 1920s, this unusual form of autograph collecting became a summit ritual for presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, and generals alike. The game rules were simple: a group of people traveling together signed banknotes recording who was in attendance. Those unable to produce the banknote upon request at a subsequent meet-up were obliged to buy a small drink—or short snort—for their companions.

From January 14–24, 1943, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill finalized the Allied European strategy against the Axis powers at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, French Morocco. The journey for Roosevelt, who was then confined to a wheelchair, was of particular import, given that no prior president had ever left the United States during wartime. The meeting, which focused primarily on military movements for the forthcoming year, targeted the expulsion of Japan from Papua, New Guinea, increased aerial bombing over Germany, and the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy. The most significant and controversial decision came on the final day, when Roosevelt and Churchill declared that the only way to ensure postwar peace was to adopt a policy of ‘unconditional surrender’ from the Axis powers. Also, in 1943, Stalin famously met Churchill and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference, where the Soviet dictator likely added his signature, right across George Washington’s likeness on the bill!

Nearing the end of the conference, Churchill suggested to Roosevelt that the two spend time in nearby Marrakech, a destination he referred to as the ‘Paris of the Sahara.’ Churchill implored the president: ‘You cannot come all the way to North Africa without seeing Marrakech. Let us spend two days there. I must be with you when you see the sun set on the Atlas Mountains.’ Although Roosevelt was eager to return stateside, he ultimately agreed, and on January 23 the men left Casablanca for Marrakech and the Villa Taylor. Situated on the outskirts of the old city walls, the immense property featured its own tower, a vantage point that afforded immaculate views of the surrounding region. Making true on his promise, Churchill ordered staff to lift and carry Roosevelt to the tower’s lookout prior to dusk. Astonished by the rich colors of the Moroccan sunset, the president exclaimed to his host: ‘I feel like a sultan: you may kiss my hand, my dear.’ Single pieces signed by the 'Big Three'—Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin—are extremely rare and desirable.