Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto in 1835, Pius X served as pope from 1903 until his death in 1914. Known for his conservative, anti-modernist philosophies, he became, in 1954, the first pope to be elevated to sainthood since Pius V in 1712. Superb vintage matte-finish 4 x 6 photo (on a 6.25 x 8.75 mount) of the seated, thoughtful Pius, signed in fountain pen on the mount, “Pius PP X” and inscribed to Luisa Weber with a benediction in Italian. Housed in the original leather-over-wood frame with hand-painted crest in one corner measuring 9.5 x 12 overall. The slightest suggestion of silvering at one corner of image, otherwise very fine, appropriately immaculate condition. If cleanliness is next to godliness, this virtually flawless example is saintly, indeed! R&R COA.
