Book signed by former Emperor of Ethiopia in auction
The book includes the signature of the
Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie
15 December, 2008
A rare visitors' book signed by former Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie could sell for up to £1,500 at auction.
The book from the Haile Selassie School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is to be sold in a JP Humbert auction in Towcester, Northamptonshire, on Thursday.
Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said the book "came from a private vendor in Northamptonshire" who acquired it from a headmaster of the school.
The simple book is dedicated to the emperor himself.
The book also includes nearly 200 black and white photographs of him with many other heads of state.
Religious symbol
Haile Selassie was Ethiopia's regent from 1916 to 1930, then Emperor from 1930 to 1974.
He is also revered as the religious symbol for God incarnate among the Rastafari movement.
The movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s, perceives Haile Selassie as a messianic figure who will lead the people of Africa and the African diaspora to a golden age of peace, righteousness, and prosperity.
Mr Humbert, of JP Humbert Auctioneers, said the piece was a very rare find.
He said the cover of the book, dated 1941, was decorated in Rastafarian colours of green, yellow and red.
Written on the first page is the inscription: "This page is reserved for His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia and member of the Royal Family."
He added: "The book itself is of no particular quality, it's just like a 1940s lined notebook but it has the Emperor's signature and further signatories of visiting officials and dignitaries of the day.
"There are also the photos of the Emperor with several heads of state, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
"This is a highly unusual and rare piece of social history connected to a man considered a 20th century deity."
The book is due to go under the hammer at a two-day sale of Fine Art and Antiques next Thursday and Friday. - Story from BBC NEWS