?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 250 - $ 350
(HAITI.) Duvalier, François. L'Ordre National de Honeur et Merite certificate signed by "Papa Doc." Printed document, accomplished by hand for Marco Martinez; 12-1/2x17 inches; stain to lower right corner; short closed tear to top edge; creases where folded; with the seal of Haiti intact. Port-au-Prince, 1958
Scarce document signed by the legendary dictator, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier. Awarded to Marco Martinez, head of Haitian tourism. Duvalier (1907-1971) was the President of Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971. First he won acclaim fighting disease on the impoverished island nation, earning him the nickname "Papa Doc[tor]." He opposed a military coup d'Actat in 1950, and was elected President in 1956 on a populist and black nationalist platform. Duvalier practiced a malevolent form of Voudou and employed a squad of enforcers called the "Ton Ton Macou" to stifle political dissent. Duvalier's son "Baby Doc" took control upon his passing in 1971.
