GERONIMO Scarce Autograph Display & 1901 Pan-Am Exposition Souvenir Booklet

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From my private collection, a scarce autographed pencil signature of Chiricahua Apache Chief, Geronimo (1829-1909), archivally double matted in suede with a sepia-toned photograph to an overall size of 11x14 inches; includes a 32 page souvenir booklet from the 1901 Pan-Am Exposition where the signature was collected in person by my grandfather. The Pan-Am Exposition was a World’s Fair held from May 1 to November 2, 1901, and was one of the major expos Geronimo participated in as a celebrity attraction; fair goers paid to see Geronimo and obtain his autograph, for which he charged one dollar. � In fine condition with some age toning to the autographed slip. � Guaranteed to pass� PSA/DNA and/or JSA� authentication or your money back. � Fully insured priority mail delivery is included with your purchase. International bidders please note: The insured value must be equal to the customs declaration value which will result in import duties upon delivery. Please check with your local customs officials for the import duty amount you will be required to pay upon delivery. The Newest Edition of The Sanders Price Guide to Autographs (indisputably the largest and most complete price guide with thousands more historical to current celebrity names than any other price guide) lists Geronimo as the 16th most valuable signature investment at $6,4 58.00. Geronimo was a Chiricahua military leader who was believed by his followers to have some spiritual "powers," such as the ability to walk without leaving tracks and to survive gunshots. He led raids on both sides of the Southwestern border, eluding capture by both the Mexican and U.S. Armies for nearly three decades. He is often considered the last "hold out," refusing to recognize American occupation of the region, and leading an independent band of native people. Geronimo was finally captured in 1886 by a troop of the 4th Cavalry led by Captain Henry Lawton under General Nelson Miles. Geronimo himself gave credit to 1st. Lieut. Charles Gatewood, whom he knew and who spoke some Apache, as being the person who convinced him to surrender, but Lawton gave credit to a number of his men, and, of course, many others claimed the feat over the years. Geronimo would spend the remainder of his life as a prisoner of war. After he was moved to Fort Sill, OK in 1894, Geronimo was given some freedom. He quickly understood commercialism and he became his own best PR man as he realized the value of all things connected with him. His appearances generated much interest at the Omaha Exposition of 1898, the Pan American Exposition at Buffalo in 1901, the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration parade in 1905, numerous Wild West shows, and other public events. Promoters of these events had to appeal to the War Department to obtain permission for his appearance. At many of the events Geronimo would sell his autograph, photographs of himself as well as bows and arrows. In his autobiography, Geronimo talks about his experience at the St. Louis World's fair, "I often made as much as two dollars a day, and when I returned I had plenty of money more than I had ever owned before. I am glad I went to the Fair." At some point in his captivity, Geronimo learned to read a bit and write his name, and later even embraced Christianity. His writing always had a child-like quality, and he preferred pencil to pen. He seemed to like to embellish his signature, sometimes putting designs in the "G," (as in this signature) and the “R” and sometimes filling in the “O’s”. Sometimes all letters were formed with serifs, sometimes only a few were. Contrary to this supposed life of leisure Geronimo and the Apache people suffered both physically and mentally. During their stay in Florida and Alabama many Apaches died of tuberculosis and other diseases. Throughout the time spent as a prisoner of war, Geronimo never stopped asking to be allowed to return to his homeland in the Southwest. In February 1909, Geronimo was thrown from his horse while riding home, and had to ... read more

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