Description:

Benito Mussolini War Department Suspension Signed as Prime Minister

2pp, measuring 9.5" x 14.5", Rome, Italy, dated December 11, 1927. A typed document signed "Mussolini" as Il Ministro (Prime Minister of Italy). Written in Italian, the document relates to a proposed precautionary suspension within the War Department, Disciplinary Department, Section Two. A translation reads in full:

"The infantry captain in S.P.E. Miceli Sebastiano, was subjected to a disciplinary investigation as it turned out that the officer, in Rome, was practicing the law. Subsequently, Mr. Ninni Tommaso, employed by the Ministry of Justice, sent a complaint against the same Captain, accusing him of having tried to mislead the Justice in the investigations to establish the circumstances of his daughter's death, and of being, although married with offspring, the mistress of his son-in-law's sister, accused of murder. Given the nature and gravity of the facts, I would have determined to place the Cap. Miceli in precautionary suspension from employment - pursuant to art. 66 of the Law II March 1926, N. 397, on the status of officers - for the entire duration of the disciplinary procedure. Therefore, I submit to the Augusta Sanction of the M.V. the joint scheme of the decree, with which this is done."

Accompanying the document is a 6.5" x 8.5" photograph of Mussolini, produced by Pacific & Atlantic Photos, Inc. #63436. Captioned, "A Dictator In Full Regalia", showing Mussolini at a Reception for Ras Tafari, Ruler of Abyssinia, during his visit to Italy. The War Department document has light toning and a rough left edge where it was removed from a larger volume. Mounting residue on verso at the edges. Large and bold signature. The photograph is in good condition, while the caption is toned and has separated from the photograph with some additional paper loss.

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (1883-1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. He started as a journalist at the "Avanti!" newspaper and served in the Royal Italian Army during WWII until he was wounded and discharged in 1917. He established the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento (Italian Fasces of Combat) in 1919 and became the party's leader or "Duce". Three years later, Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy after the March on Rome in 1922. As dictator of Italy and founder of fascism, Mussolini inspired and supported the international spread of fascist movements during the inter-war period and into WWII. Italy entered the war on June 10, 1940, siding with the Axis alliance of Germany and Japan. Mussolini was ultimately deposed and arrested in 1943. He was rescued by German forces after two months but his freedom was to be short-lived. Mussolini was captured by Italian partisans and executed on April 28, 1945.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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