Benito Mussolini Signature with Vittorio Emanuele III – Certified Autographs, 25 June 1937 (De Grandis)

Description

The original signatures of Benito Mussolini and King Vittorio Emanuele III, both signed in ink in an exceptionally large hand and certified as authentic. They appear together on an Italian royal decree dated at San Rossore on 25 June 1937, where the King signed as head of state and Mussolini countersigned as Head of Government and Minister for War. The decree retains its contemporary Ministry of War and Corte dei Conti registrations.

The signatures

The King’s “Vittorio Emanuele” sweeps across a large part of the lower half of the sheet in a bold, flowing hand. Mussolini’s “Mussolini” stands clearly beneath it, dark, complete and fully legible. No stamp or text crosses either signature, and the open space around them makes this an outstanding piece for display: the two most important names of the Italian state in 1937, side by side.

Authenticity

Both signatures have been examined and certified as authentic by Juan García Nicolás, qualified graphologist and handwriting examiner (perito calígrafo, trained at Ipsigrap) and editor of Autographs & Militaria. The certification rests on a consistent set of features rather than any single indicator: the handwriting characteristics of each signature compared with documented examples, the ink and writing pressure on the paper, and the coherence of the whole document, from its printed royal heading and manuscript text to the contemporary Ministry of War and Corte dei Conti registrations.

Why are both signatures on one document?

In the Kingdom of Italy, royal decrees were issued in the King’s name and countersigned by the responsible minister. Here that minister was Mussolini, who held the War portfolio in addition to heading the government. The printed heading gives the King’s style at the time, Re d’Italia, Imperatore d’Etiopia, the imperial title assumed after the conquest of 1936, which dates the document firmly to the period of the Italian empire.

What does the decree say?

Issued “on the proposal of the Head of Government, Prime Minister Secretary of State and Minister Secretary of State for War”, the manuscript operative text places Primo Capitano Attilio De Grandis of the Royal Carabinieri (CC.RR.), listed “fuori organico” (outside the regular establishment), in the auxiliary category on grounds of age from 14 June 1937, with seniority from 17 May 1928. It closes Dato a San Rossore, addì 25 giugno 1937 – Anno XV.

The reverse records processing by the Ministero della Guerra – Ragioneria Centrale (Rome, 28 July 1937) and registration with the Corte dei Conti in August 1937, completing the procedure the decree itself prescribes.

Why collect it?

Documents carrying both Vittorio Emanuele III and Mussolini are a recognised field in twentieth-century autograph collecting. Here the two signatures are large, clean and certified, and they remain on the original instrument they were written for, with its full administrative trail. Further certified examples from the same summer: 1 July 1937 (DOC186), 25 June 1937 (DOC187) and 8 July 1937 (DOC188).

See also the certified Mussolini signature on the decree concerning General Luca de Luca (DOC190).

Condition

Good condition for an official document of 1937:

• Age toning, light scattered staining and marks.
• Minor creasing; binding wear and small holes along the left margin.
• Period administrative stamps and annotations.
• Both signatures exceptionally bold and clear.

All photographs show the actual document offered and form part of this condition description.

Frequently asked questions

Whose signatures are on the document?
King Vittorio Emanuele III and Benito Mussolini, both in ink.

Are the signatures certified?
Yes. Both have been examined and certified as authentic by Juan García Nicolás, qualified handwriting examiner.

When and where were they signed?
On a decree dated San Rossore, 25 June 1937 (Anno XV).

What is the decree about?
The placing of Primo Capitano Attilio De Grandis of the Royal Carabinieri in the auxiliary category on grounds of age.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This document is offered exclusively as a historical artefact for collecting, preservation, education and research. Its association with Fascist Italy forms part of its original historical context. Autographs & Militaria does not endorse or glorify fascism or the political system it represents.

References & Further Reading

• Normattiva, Legge 18 maggio 1936, n. 867 – conversion of R.D.-L. 9 maggio 1936, n. 754, on Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia and the King’s assumption of the title Imperatore d’Etiopia.