Description:

BENITO MUSSOLINI'S SHOULDER BOARDS AND RIBBONS
An outstanding grouping fresh to the market, the shoulder boards and military ribbon bars once owned and worn by fascist Italian dictator BENITO MUSSOLINI, with outstanding provenance! The pair of matching shoulder boards are 5 1/4" long and taper down to 2 1/2", gold "bullion" mounted on black boards with black straps. The ribbon bars measure 4" x 2 1/2" overall, and include all ribbons visible from a photograph of Mussolini ca. 1930 (included). As there are additional ribbons present here, we must assume this is a later grouping. Present also are four 1983 letters from noted dealer Ben E. Swearingen to a respected surgeon and world-renowned physician and collector of Lincoln, Kennedy and Axis memorabilia documenting the sale of the ribbons and shoulder boards. At the request of the family, we must leave this collector's name unrevealed, but he has published several books concerning his collections of historic memorabilia which included the capsule that hid Goring's cyanide capsule (also sold to him by Swearingen). An author, lecturer and authenticator, Swearingen's reputation was irrefutable: he sold hundreds of historic items to collectors worldwide, appeared in films, and consulted with such greats as Charles Hamilton and Stephen Ambrose in their respective fields. With the shoulder boards and ribbons, Sweringen included a copy of a letter from Col. William S. Lueck, U.S.A.R. of the 19th Mountain Division. He describes his occupation of Salo, being with the very first Allied troops on the scene and the first to enter Mussolini's villa on a mission to either capture the Duce or at least seize any documents of military importance. He describes the disarray of the villa, as it had been looted by partisans and fleeing SS troops, but mentions that he "liberated" numerous medals and souvenirs of no military value, and lists them in his affidavit. The shoulder bars and ribbons are among the items mentioned in the list. An important grouping of historic relics! Ex: John Lattimer collection.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000