25296

Remarkable Japanese Flag Autographed by Twenty-fo

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Remarkable Japanese Flag Autographed by Twenty-fo
<B>Remarkable Japanese Flag Autographed by Twenty-four Accused World War II Criminals Including Prime Minister Tojo</B></I> This 13" x 10.5" cloth flag was signed by all 24 major Japanese World War II criminals who were confined at Sugamo military prison, including seven who were sentenced to death by hanging. Each has signed his name both in Japanese characters and in western form. Most prominent was General Hideki Tojo, who headed the government and also served as Chief of the Army General Staff. Also signing, among others, were Baron Koki Hirota (former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister 1936-37), General Heitaro Kimura (commander of the notorious Japanese forces in Burma), and Admiral Shigetaro Shimada, who was Navy Minister at the time of Pearl Harbor. (A comprehensive listing of the signers, with brief biographies, accompanies this lot.) The prominent Japanese prisoners were noted for their extreme politeness and generally cooperative attitudes, in sharp contrast to the accused German war criminals. The provenance of this historic piece could not be more impeccable: it is consigned by the gentleman who was the chief jailer at the prison, and is accompanied by a letter from him describing the circumstances under which he personally obtained the signatures. Also included are an official identification photo of him from the prison and a snapshot he took of Tojo behind prison bars. Condition of this flag is very nice, with moderate but even fading of the ink in the signatures; every letter and character is clearly legible. Very slight hint of age browning of the cloth itself is noted for accuracy. Under glass in an old, probably original faux bamboo wood frame, measuring 17" x 14". A very special item. PSA/DNA lacks sufficient comparable examples to render an opinion on this item. While we believe it to be authentic as described, it is thus sold without certification. <I>Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.</B></I>