Description:

Mohandas Gandhi
New Delhi, British India, June 24, 1947
Mahatma Gandhi PSA MINT 9 Double Hindi / English Signature, 7 Months Before Assassination, With Great Provenance & JSA LOA
Signature

A French-language postcard twice-signed by civil rights activist Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948), once in Hindi and once in English, along the bottom margin. The signature in English reads in part: "M.K. Gandhi / N. Delhi 24-6-47." The photo postcard shows Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, along with his wife Edwina Mountbatten, visiting with Gandhi during their first meeting at Viceroy's House on March 31, 1947; the French caption reads (translated): "In India. - For the first time since his nomination as viceroy of India, lord Mountbatten had an interview with the Mahatma Gandhi. At right, lady Mountbatten." Gandhi's double signature and inscription are bold and dark. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA graded MINT 9. The sight size of the postcard is 5.75" x 4.125." The slab measures 10" x 6.625." Provenance: From the personal collection of the Swiss autograph collector who requested Gandhi's autograph, P. Langer Paillard of Glaud, Switzerland. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (Parsippany, New Jersey), certification number ZZ06215, dated August 19, 2024. The lot with slab, provenance information, and LOA is currently housed in a "Signaturist-Ink" green leather folder measuring 9" x 11.5" x .5."

The Gandhi signed postcard is accompanied by a postcard in French written in the hand of Amrit Kaur (1887-1964), a fellow Indian activist, Gandhi's longtime personal secretary, and the future Minister of Health. Written at "Chez Mons: Gandhi. New Delhi" on June 6, 1947. In it, Kaur confirms receipt of Paillard's photo postcard but explains that she must collect a small fee in order to return the postcard with Gandhi's autograph. Kaur has also engrossed the address panel verso, which bears three cancelled "India Postage" stamps. The date has been rewritten in black ink. Expected toning and slight wear, else near fine. 5.5" x 3.5."

In full:

"Dear Mons: Paillard,

Mons: Gandhi received your letter [not included in this lot] and also the photograph. I regret that it is not possible for him to sign without receiving 5 francs (Swiss) or rupees 5.

I am keeping the photograph. If you will have the kindness to send the francs, I will return it to you with the autograph that you desire.

Sincerely yours

Amrit Kaur
Chez Mons: Gandhi. New Delhi. 6.6.47."

Gandhi had met Lord and Lady Mountbatten at the Viceroy's House - today known as Rashtrapati Bhavan - in New Dehli, British India on March 31, 1947 to discuss India's plans once independent. According to material housed at the Mountbatten Archive at the University of Southampton Special Collections, Lord Mountbatten was so taken with Gandhi after their first meeting on March 31st that the Viceroy also met with him on the next three days, on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Sadly, Lord and Lady Mountbatten would attend the funeral of their newfound friend and political colleague less than one year later.

Gandhi was shot and killed on January 30, 1948, just seven months after he fulfilled this autograph request on June 24, 1947. India gained its independence from the British Empire less than two months after Gandhi signed this postcard, on August 15, 1947.

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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  • Dimensions: slabbed: 10" x 6.625"
  • Medium: Signature

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