Ignacy Jan Paderewski Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Polish pianist and composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) made his professional debut in Vienna in 1887 and quickly established himself as an interpreter of Schumann, Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven. He wrote the piano piece Legende Op. 16 in 1888, and his other works include Minuet in G and the opera, Manru. The virtuoso pianist was also a philanthropist and Polish patriot. Paderewski interrupted his concert career in 1919 to serve as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He stepped forward to serve his country again in 1939. Although he refused the title of Prime Minister, he served as President of the Polish National Council, an advisory body serving the President of Poland and the Polish government in exile after Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and occupied Poland (September 1939). The Polish government in exile was based first in Paris, but by the date of this signature had been forced to relocate to London. (France, too, had fallen to the Germans.) Paderewski also headed the Polish Relief Fund, giving benefit concerts in England and the United States. He died while performing this service to his homeland, and was temporarily buried in Arlington National Cemetery (at the authorization of President Franklin D. Roosevelt) until his body could be returned to his Poland. He was finally given a state funeral in a truly independent Poland on June 29, 1992 - 51 years after his death.