Typed 1980 appointment letter signed by Saddam in red ink Rare Typed DS: "Saddam Hussein" in red ink, as Head of the Revolution's Supreme Council, in Arabic, 1 page, 8x11. Baghdad, Iraq, 1980 May 22. Not translated. "Decided" that Lieutenant Colonel Ali Omran Mosa be appointed to a civilian post at the Ministry of Transportation. Saddam Hussein (b. 1937) joined the Pan-Arab socialist Baath Party in 1957 and fled Iraq. He was wounded two years later, after attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Kassim.  Returning to Iraq after Kassim's overthrow in 1963, he rose rapidly in the Baath revolutionary apparatus and by 1968 was a Vice President with broad authority over the secret police.  Saddam seized full power in 1979 and conducted a ruthless purge of opponents inside and outside the Baath Party.  He dealt brutally with political, ethnic and religious opponents, real or imagined, throughout his reign.  In September, 1980, four months after signing this order, Saddam Hussein began an eight-year war with Iran which began well but soon turned into a stalemate costly in lives and money.  It was partly to recover from the resulting financial crisis that Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990.

THE KING ORDERS PAYMENT FOR PROVISIONS ISSUED "TO OUR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA" TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS FORCES TAKE FORT TICONDEROGA FROM THE FRENCH; AFTER THE KING'S DEATH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IT WAS DECIDED THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BE RAISED BY TAXING THE COLONISTS THEMSELVES KING GEORGE II. Historic Manuscript DS: "George R" as King of England, 2p, 9x14½, front and verso. Our Court at Kensington, 1759 April 28. "To Our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Councillor Henry Fox Esqr Paymaster General of Our Guards Garrisons and Land Forces". Countersigned: "Hollis Newcastle" as Prime Minister, "H.B. Legge" as Chancellor of the Exchequer and "Bessborough" as Commissioner of Revenue.