Mussolini Was Missing

Yes, we’re discussing THAT Mussolini, though I confess this is a “family heirloom” story. And honestly probably my least favorite heirloom, but the kids think it’s cool, so there you go.

My parents gave me the large box of our family papers, photos, books, etc at least 35 years ago. My mother made sure to point out there was a memento in the container signed by Mussolini for my great grandfather Benjamin Strong (1871-1926). The document is a menu from a financial meeting held in Rome in May, 1926, with a beautiful etching on the cover. Research indicates it is of the Mausoleum of Hadrian done by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), though it is unclear how the image was reproduced for the menu.

A few years later, Mom asked me about the autograph, and I could not find the darn thing. Damnedest thing – I knew I hadn’t thrown it away, but it was missing. This prompted a major “organize the files and papers” effort, but it never turned up. The Mussolini signature remained missing ever since.

A few months back my daughter expressed interest in all the family memorabilia – she didn’t have to ask me twice! I was giving her a quick rundown of the files, photos and books. As I pulled a book off the shelf (Benjamin Strong Central Banker, L. Chandler, 1956 – not a riveting book) out fluttered a paper. Lo and behold Mussolini had hit the floor!

It took me a bit to determine what had happened. The book contained a paragraph about Strong’s meeting with Mussolini in Italy in 1926 and thus I must have left the autographed document in the book when I read it over 30 years ago!

So here you go – Mussolini and the blurb from the book for reference. The only saving grace for my not favorite heirloom is my great grandfather certainly recognized the danger Mussolini posed.