919. AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE A nice grouping of four African rulers. Includes a 3 1/2" x 6" b/w signed photograph of pro-apartheid President of South Africa MARAIS VILJOEN (1915-1985) as president, in dark suit and sash wearing official ribbon and medallion. Also an extremely scarce war-date A.L.S from iron-handed prime minister of Southern Rhodesia SIR GODFREY MARTIN HUGGINS (1883-1971) on official letterhead, 4to., July 21 [1944], fulfilling a request for an autograph despite the fact that he has "...other things to do". With scarce holograph envelope and ca. 1940 Southern Rhodesia cancelled postage, despite being stamped "Official Free" on verso. Also a large-type T.L.S. by ROY WELENSKY (1907-1991), Prime Minister of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and first president of the illegal Southern Rhodesian apartheid state under Ian Smith, on official letterhead, declining a request to appear on "Meet the Press", 1p. 4to., January 23, 1962. Included is retained copy of producer Lawrence Spivak's original request letter. Lastly, a b/w S.P. of CANAAN BANANA (1936-2003), the first President of Zimbabwe following the dismantling of the apartheid regime, a smiling headshot measuring appr. 3 1/2" x 5 1/2". A Methodist minister, Banana would be ousted by Robert Mugabe and arrested on trumped up charges. With a scarce mimeographed transmittal letter from the transitional "Office of the President", Salisbury, Zimbabwe, dated May 22nd, 1981.
$150-200