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Rare and highly sought vintage fountain pen signature by Mao Zedong on an off-white 3 x 6.25 slip, removed from an included first edition of Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung, Vol. 1 (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1965). The signature was acquired on October 25, 1966, by the wife of Pakistani diplomat Sultan Mohammed Khan, who was then serving as ambassador to China; she taped the slip into the book, with a date notation ("25.10.1966") above. The signature has since been removed, and is in fine condition, with professionally cleaned tape stains to the edges, easily matted out; the book is included for provenance purposes, and has splits and tears to the dust jacket.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by the diplomat's son, Sahibzada Sultan Riaz Khan, in part: "My parents had gone to meet with Chairman Mao for an event when a delegation had come to China from Pakistan. There would be the usual photo opportunity to go along with such events.
After the photo of the delegation had taken place, my mother unbeknownst to my father asked Chairman Mao's interpreter to ask him if he would give my mother his autograph. Others in the audience noted the interpreter reaction and body language. The interpreter became very nervous not sure, if his refusal to translate the request or approach the Chairman would cause an incidence, as Pakistan was a favoured nation. It was well known that Chairman Mao did not give out autographs. The interpreter's reactions and gestures caught the attention of my father who was with other Chinese senior officials who quickly came over to inquire if there was a problem. The interpreter again gestured towards Chairman Mao and explained what my mother had requested was not possible and that he was embarrassed in refusing my mother's request. My father was obviously taken aback and was worried that this could cause a diplomatic incident in itself. All this kerfuffle caught the attention of Chairman Mao who asked his interpreter what Madame had asked. The interpreter was very nervous and hesitatingly explained that there was a misunderstanding and that Madame was not aware that an autograph was not something that could be requested and that the Ambassador had explained this to Madame as well.
Chairman Mao to the surprise of his interpreter and others present asked via his interpreter if Madame had a piece of paper and pen so that he could give my mother his autograph. My mother somehow managed to get ahold of a piece of paper and pen in a hurry which were handed over to the Interpreter.
My father was surprised and very relieved that there was no diplomatic incident had occurred. My mother was chuffed that she had managed to pull off a coup and pleased with herself in not having first consulted my father who obviously would have dissuaded her from doing so. Although my mother was in the shadows of my father, she had a strong personality, which was unknown to the public, but those who knew my parents were well aware of her role in being the strength and supporting my father in his many diplomatic posts, including as Foreign Secretary during difficult and turbulent times."
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