607. FULGENCIO BATISTA (1901 - 1973) Cuban soldier and corrupt dictator whose brutal regime was overthrown by Fidel Castro's revolution in 1959. Choice manuscript L.S. "Batista" as President of the Republic of Cuba, in Spanish, 1p, folio, Havana, Palace of the Presidency, July 15, 1942." His name and title boldly imprinted at the head. Embossed with large Republic of Cuba Seal. Countersigned by his Minister of State. "To His Excellency, the Generalissimo Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, President of the Dominican Republic". In part: "...I have the honor of informing Your Majesty that having been relieved of his position in the Foreign Service of the Republic, Doctor Albert Diaz Prado is discontinuing the duties which, for some time, he has performed for the Dominican Government in the capacity of Extraordinary Ambassador Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba. It pleases me to believe that during the fulfillment of the mission which was entrusted to Doctor Diaz Prado, he endeavored to expand the cordial relations of friendship which happily exist between our two countries; and I take this opportunity to express sincere wishes for the prosperity of your Nation and for the personal good fortune of Your Excellency.". At the time of this letter, Trujillo had recently come into power again as president, having served in that office from 1930 to 1938. He would remain in office for ten years until 1952 when he engineered the election of his brother Hector as the titular president. $500 - 750