Description:

Simon Bolivar
La Paz, Republic of Bolivia, August 26, 1825
Important Simon Bolivar DS With Huge Signature Awarding Medal to Battle of Ayacucho Veteran, Days After Republic of Bolivia Established
PPDS
A 1p partly printed and partly manuscript document in Spanish featuring the enormous and dramatic signature of South American freedom-fighter Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) as "Simon Bolivar" at center. The signature alone (which includes a large paraph) measures 6" x 3.125." La Paz, in the newly established Republic of Bolivia, created just three weeks earlier, on August 6, 1825. August 26, 1825. On watermarked laid bifold paper with "Simon Bolivar Libertador / Presidente de la Republica de / Colombia de la del Peru, y Encargado del Supremo mando / de ella, &c. &c. &c" ["Simon Bolivar Liberator / President of the Republic of Colombia and that of Peru, and in charge of its Supreme Command, &c. &c. &c."]. Countersigned by Bolivar's secretary and "general minister" Felipe Santiago Estenos (1797-1864) at lower right. The inner pages are blank and the outer leaf is docketed. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and scattered foxing. Minor paper loss along the gutter, else near fine. 8.25" x 12.125."

In this document, Bolivar bestowed the Medal for Ayacucho (Medalla por Ayacucho) upon Battalion Captain Pedro Peña, in recognition of the former's service at the Battle of Ayacucho the previous year. The Battle of Ayacucho (also known as the Battle of La Quinua) was fought on December 9, 1824 near Quinua in the central highlands of present day Peru. Independentists, led by Bolivar's lieutenant Antonio José de Sucre, defeated pro-Spanish Royalists commanded by Viceroy José la Serna. The battle proved pivotal to the South American independence movement, and to that of Peru especially. The Medal for Ayacucho recognized Peña's affiliation with "the victorious united liberating army in Ayacucho" and was a "badge… a testimony of Peru's gratitude for having cooperated in her freedom."

The Battle of Ayacucho veteran and battalion captain Pedro Peña was probably from the Peña Family of Zipaquirá, in present day Colombia. Four Peña brothers - Camilo, Ignacio, Pedro, and Rafael - fought for independence. A Spanish-language biography tells us that older brothers Camilo and Ignacio began their military service in 1814, the latter being killed in 1817. Younger brothers Pedro and Rafael served in the liberating army between 1821-1830. Camilo Peña later became a colonel and general.

A quick search of numismatic websites reveals what the actual Medal for Ayacucho would have looked like (please note that the medal is NOT included in this lot.) The medal was oval, in either gold or silver depending on officer class or rank and file. The obverse depicted Bolivar ascending the mountain at Potosi while the reverse was engraved "LA REPUBLICA BOLIVAR AGRADECIDA AL HEROE CUYO NOMBRE LLEVA," or, "The Boliv[ian] Republic Is Grateful to the Hero Whose Name it Bears."

Simon Bolivar left a stamp on South American geopolitics as indelible as his signature on this document. Bolivar used his political and military experiments in Venezuela as a model throughout South America. Eventually, he served as president of an enormous nation known as Gran Columbia, whose territories included modern day Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, and Columbia, from 1819-1830. Bolivar also served as president of Peru from 1824-1827 and as president of Bolivia (a country named after him) in 1825.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 12.125"
  • Medium: PPDS

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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