Bombastic Italian dictator, known as “Il Duce.” Mussolini styled himself in the mold of Roman emperors and had ambitions to match. In the end, he met with the same bloody fate as some of his ancient predecessors, captured and killed by Italian partisans and hung upside down from the girder of a filling station. Vintage matte-finish 7 x 11.25 photo intent looking young Mussolini in a jacket and tie, signed and inscribed in fountain pen in Italian to American journalist Edmund W. Booth, signed “Mussolini,” and dated July 5, 1926. Accompanied by a copy of Booth’s booklet entitled Hit & Miss Jottings of a Summer in Europe, bearing a reproduction of the signed photo. Booth was a fervid admirer of Mussolini, describes his interview with Mussolini in the booklet as well. In very good condition, with creasing to both top corners and overall silvering to darker areas and background. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
