277. FIDEL CASTRO (b. 1927) Cuban revolutionary who led the guerilla campaign against Batista, overthrowing the dictator and replacing him with the first communist government in the Western Hemisphere. An outstanding, very early Castro A.L.S. "Fidel" on the verso of a 5 ¹/₂" x 3 ¹/₂" 1946 Christmas card with printed text (in Spanish): "Fidel Castro Wishing you and your distinguished family a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year". On the verso, the 21-year-old revolutionary writes an old friend: "What's going on, buddy? I am here in the tranquil East and practicing my pistol firing a great deal. Make observations of what is going on so that you can advise me. Best regards to everyone, with a hug Fidel". Only a year before, Castro had unsuccessfully tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and thereafter enrolled in the University of Havana to obtain a law degree. His very early reference here to pistol practice and "observation" is particularly tantalizing. Light soiling and wear, overall very good. $1,500-2,000