A Short Price Guide for a Hirohito Autograph by NateDSanders.com
To buy, sell or consign a Hirohito autograph, please email [email protected] or call Nate D. Sanders at (310) 440-2982. Thank you.
Back in 1989 when Hirohito died, a Hirohito autograph came to auction in New York and it brought over $40,000. The New York press made a huge deal out of it. But, long after a celebrity such as Hirohito dies, he or she’s name vanishes from the press and the autograph value goes back down to reality. Way down. It happens with most of them, not just Hirohito. Two other recent examples of price deflation long after death include Neil Armstrong & Princess Diana. The time to sell is definitely as close to the time of death of that celebrity. Anyhow, back to Hirohito. A Hirohito autograph now sells for less than $10,000, sometimes half of that. Here are some examples of a Hirohito autograph that I have sold:
Scarce Hirohito and Empress Nagako 8” x 10” Portrait Photos Signed
Matching pair of vintage photos signed of Hirohito and Empress Nagako. Both three-quarter length portrait photos are signed in Japanese in black felt tip by the rulers respectively. Hirohito is notorious for serving as Emperor through WWII and escaping prosecution for war crimes. This set was gifted to Eigil Nygaard, the Norwegian ambassador to Japan. Each black and white photo measures 8” x 10”, displayed side by side in a hinged frame. Near fine. Sold for $10,625.
Hirohito, Emperor Showa of Japan Signed Photograph — Signed in Japanese & Countersigned by Empress Kojun
Rare photograph signed by Hirohito, Emperor Showa and his wife Empress Kojun. Hirohito was Japan’s longest ruling emperor and its most influential, ruling over Japan during and after WWII. Between his ascension in 1926 and his death in 1989, Hirohito grew Japan to the second largest economy in the world. Signed by the Emperor and his wife Empress Kojun in elegant Japanese characters, photograph features the Emperor wearing the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemums. Lot also includes an elaborate menu from the Royal couple’s trip to the United States, which took place from 30 September through 14 October of 1975. 8pp. document contains menus from each leg of the Royal Family’s trip to the cities Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Honolulu. Photograph measures 6.25” x 9”. Menu measures 11.25” x 14.5”. Near fine condition overall. Sold for $6,563.
Emperor Hirohito Autograph Photo
Photo portrait of Emperor Hirohito with a Hirohito autograph. Sepia toned photo of the Emperor donning full regalia is signed in heavy black ink to the lower right corner. Matte photo measures 5” x 8”. Chipping to bottom edge and foxing to verso, else near fine. Sold for $6,544.
Hirohito Autograph World War II Dated Letter
Excessively rare war-dated letter signed by the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, and countersigned by Prince Fumimaro Konoye. From Tokyo dated 1939, Hirohito writes a letter of diplomacy to Peruvian President Oscar Benavides. Letter reads: “Hirohito, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Japan, and seated on the throne occupied by the same dynasty eternally, to his Excellency General Oscar Raymundo Benavides Larrea, President of the Republic of Peru. Great and good friend, it is with the joy of life that we have received the letter from your Excellency addressing your country’s economic and cultural visit to Japan, and we are happy knowing that you also wish to foster strong commercial ties between our countries. We are certain that the productive meeting of your Peruvian mission, presided by the eminent General Don Cesar de la Fuente, ex-minister of Foreign Affairs, and the people of our country will bear fruit in both economic and cultural terms, all of which will contribute to stronger and closer ties which will bind our friendship uniting Japan and Peru happily. We take this occasion to sincerely wish for your Excellency personal luck, and with that the prosperity of your nation. Your Good Friend, Hirohito”. Document is countersigned by Prince Fumimaro Konoe, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Gold-trimmed two-page folio letter in Japanese kanji is accompanied by an original printed letter on official Imperial Japanese paper translating the document into French. Letter is moderately toned, with beautiful trim and calligraphy and a superb signature. Evidence of mounting on borders of verso, overall very good condition. Sold for $4,822.
To buy, sell or consign a Hirohito autograph, please email [email protected] or call Nate D. Sanders at (310) 440-2982. Thank you.