Description:

Fidel Castro
Havana, Cuba, March 14, 1946
Fidel Castro ALS to Classmate, 1946
ALS
Fidel Castro (1926-2016). Autograph Letter Signed, "F. Castro", in Spanish, 1p, on a postcard measuring 5.5" x 3.375", Havana, Cuba, March 14, 1946. With RR Auction Certificate. Lightly toned. In fine condition. Accompanied by a provenance statement from the wife of the original recipient, stating that her husband had been a classmate of Castro's at the University of Havana School of Law.

A 19-year-old Castro writes to classmate Porfirio Delange Faget, notifying him of the postponement of elections during Castro's campaign to become president of the Federation of University Students. Translated in full: "The law school elections have been postponed. Wait for new notice."

In 1945, Castro began studying law at the University of Havana. Though "politically illiterate" by his own admission, Castro became embroiled in student activism and the violent gangster culture within the university. After becoming passionate about anti-imperialism and opposing U.S. intervention in the Caribbean, he unsuccessfully campaigned for the presidency of the Federation of University Students on a platform of "honesty, decency and justice". Castro became critical of the corruption and violence of President Ramon Grau's government, delivering a public speech on the subject in November 1946 that received coverage on the front page of several newspapers. Growing increasingly radical, Castro joined an attempt to overthrow Trujillo-led Dominican government in 1947, before returning home to stoke student protests in Havana. After obtaining his doctorate in law in September 1950, Castro co-opened an unsuccessful law firm before entering parliamentary politics as a Partido Ortodoxo candidate.

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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  • Provenance: RR Auction Certificate; Statement of Provenance.
  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.375"
  • Medium: ALS

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