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. Vintage matte-finish 7.75 x 8.5 full-length photo by d’Alessandri of Rome, affixed to a slightly larger mount, signed on the mount in fountain pen, “Pius PP. X,” with a sentiment in Latin written above the signature in another hand and a photographer’s stamp to left side of image. Slightly trimmed edges, some mild silvering, and a few bends, otherwise fine condition. RR Auction COA.
