POPE PIUS XII - HAND-SIGNED EDITION OF WISDOM MAGAZINE (1958)
POPE PIUS XII - HAND-SIGNED EDITION OF WISDOM MAGAZINE (1958)
Provenance and Authenticity:This premier religious artifact features the authentic hand-signed signature of Pope Pius XII, executed in black fountain pen ink. The signature is rendered in his formal Latin style, "Pius PP. XII." Authentication requires a clear distinction between a live ink signature and the common printed facsimiles found on Vatican ephemera; a genuine example exhibits natural pressure variations and microscopic ink penetration into the paper fibers. Under magnification, the ink should display a characteristic luster and physical depth that is absent in mass-printed reproductions.
Historical significance:Reigning from 1939 to 1958, Pius XII was a pivotal figure during World War II and the early Cold War, becoming the first Pope to extensively utilize mass media to communicate with a global audience. This issue of Wisdom serves as a definitive record of his public persona, framing his leadership within the context of 20th-century intellectual and spiritual history. A signed copy of this specific volume represents a rare intersection of traditional ecclesiastical authority and modern journalistic tribute, capturing the essence of his influence at a time when the Vatican served as a central hub for international diplomacy and moral discourse.
Signature:POPE PIUS XII
Description:The lot consists of the 1958 issue of Wisdom Magazine (Volume 21), featuring a prominent cover portrait of Pope Pius XII in full ceremonial regalia. This prestige publication is presented in an oversized format, containing comprehensive biographical features, theological essays, and rare documentary photographs detailing his papacy. Condition is evaluated based on the structural integrity of the spine and the preservation of the cover's color saturation. A premium specimen is characterized by a bold, unfaded signature positioned clearly against the cover's background, with minimal handling wear to the high-quality paper stock.
Valuation:While unsigned copies of Wisdom typically trade between $30 and $60, a verified hand-signed edition occupies a distinct tier in the manuscript market. Items featuring his signature on substantive biographical media are highly coveted by collectors of both religious relics and 20th-century history. In recent marquee auctions, high-grade examples with clear provenance or bold, well-preserved signatures have consistently realized prices exceeding the $2,000 mark. Copies showing significant foxing or spine damage are generally valued at the lower end of the spectrum.
Condition
Sold AS IS, WHERE IS. Buyer is solely responsible for inspecting, identifying, authenticating, and determining the condition, age, origin, materials, and suitability of the property before bidding. By placing a bid, the buyer assumes all risks and accepts full responsibility for any consequences arising from the purchase, ownership, transportation, resale, or use of the item. No warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, are provided by the auction house.ALL SALES ARE FINAL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AND NO EXCHANGES
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POPE PIUS XII - HAND-SIGNED EDITION OF WISDOM MAGAZINE (1958)
Provenance and Authenticity:This premier religious artifact features the authentic hand-signed signature of Pope Pius XII, executed in black fountain pen ink. The signature is rendered in his formal Latin style, "Pius PP. XII." Authentication requires a clear distinction between a live ink signature and the common printed facsimiles found on Vatican ephemera; a genuine example exhibits natural pressure variations and microscopic ink penetration into the paper fibers. Under magnification, the ink should display a characteristic luster and physical depth that is absent in mass-printed reproductions.
Historical significance:Reigning from 1939 to 1958, Pius XII was a pivotal figure during World War II and the early Cold War, becoming the first Pope to extensively utilize mass media to communicate with a global audience. This issue of Wisdom serves as a definitive record of his public persona, framing his leadership within the context of 20th-century intellectual and spiritual history. A signed copy of this specific volume represents a rare intersection of traditional ecclesiastical authority and modern journalistic tribute, capturing the essence of his influence at a time when the Vatican served as a central hub for international diplomacy and moral discourse.
Signature:POPE PIUS XII
Description:The lot consists of the 1958 issue of Wisdom Magazine (Volume 21), featuring a prominent cover portrait of Pope Pius XII in full ceremonial regalia. This prestige publication is presented in an oversized format, containing comprehensive biographical features, theological essays, and rare documentary photographs detailing his papacy. Condition is evaluated based on the structural integrity of the spine and the preservation of the cover's color saturation. A premium specimen is characterized by a bold, unfaded signature positioned clearly against the cover's background, with minimal handling wear to the high-quality paper stock.
Valuation:While unsigned copies of Wisdom typically trade between $30 and $60, a verified hand-signed edition occupies a distinct tier in the manuscript market. Items featuring his signature on substantive biographical media are highly coveted by collectors of both religious relics and 20th-century history. In recent marquee auctions, high-grade examples with clear provenance or bold, well-preserved signatures have consistently realized prices exceeding the $2,000 mark. Copies showing significant foxing or spine damage are generally valued at the lower end of the spectrum.
Condition
Sold AS IS, WHERE IS. Buyer is solely responsible for inspecting, identifying, authenticating, and determining the condition, age, origin, materials, and suitability of the property before bidding. By placing a bid, the buyer assumes all risks and accepts full responsibility for any consequences arising from the purchase, ownership, transportation, resale, or use of the item. No warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, are provided by the auction house.ALL SALES ARE FINAL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AND NO EXCHANGES
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
