The King of Spain's contribution to 'Pax Mundi: livre d'or de la paix'

Alfonso was born several months after the death of his father, King Alfonso XII and was, therefore, King of Spain from the time of his birth. During his minority, his mother, Queen Maria Christina, served as regent. Spain’s neutrality during World War I did not spare the country the economic and social instability that followed. The nation’s morale was further weakened by the loss of its colonial holdings in Morocco in 1921. It was out of this chaos that Captain General Miguel Primo de Rivera led a military coup and established himself as the military dictator of Spain in 1923, forcing Alfonso into exile. He refused to abdicate his throne and retained the title of king throughout the Second Spanish Republic, the Spanish Civil War and into Ferdinand Franco’s dictatorship. The monarchy was officially restored during the reign of Alfonso’s grandson, Juan Carlos, after Franco died. Following the devastation of WWI, the World League for Peace was formed, taking its name from President Wilson’s 1917 Senate speech that bore the same title. Under the leadership of its president George Dejean, the organization assembled an anthology that included comments written about peace by notable persons from around the world. Between 1925 and 1932, entries were received from royalty, politicians, artists, musicians, and writers including Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, Marie Curie, Marconi, Einstein, Baden-Powell, King Faisal, Maginot, Colette, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Pirandello, Unamuno, Le Corbusier, Foujita, and Paul Signac. The collaboration led to the 1932 publication in Switzerland of a deluxe, limited edition volume entitled Pax Mundi: livre d’or de la paix. Written on an 8vo sheet mounted onto a folio sheet of Schoellers-Parole paper, bearing the Schoellers-Parole blind embossed seal. Very broadly written and signed and in excellent condition. Very scarce in holograph.

Item #16617

Price: $750

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