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PAUL HARRIS SIGNATURES

There are many who hunt for autographs. The signature of Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson or Gandhi would be priceless to many.

The signatures of the founder of Rotary are sought after by some Rotarians as collectables, but to us, they are part of a story. Or, in some cases hints at parts of a story we may never know.

Why for example did Paul write a check to his sister Nina for $15.00 in 1941? It is interesting to our project simply because it's the only tangible connection we have with his sister, then living in Denver, from whom he was separated when he was 3. Why also would he write a check to the publisher of "My Road to Rotary," Kroch's Book Store? It probably doesn't matter, but it gives us the opportunity to introduce you to the family which later gave $10 million dollars to the Cornell University Library. At the time Harris knew he father Adolph Kroch, he had only a small bookstore in Chicago.

Then there are documents and charters signed by Paul Harris and many interesting letters. Like the one where Harris says he's sorry for not referring to Seattle by their proper number and mistakenly giving that honor to Los Angeles s "#4".  That letter also gives due credit to Seattle for our Rotary platform.

There are a few actual autographs, but none more intriguing to investigate than "Sheltered during his recovery." This rare first edition of "This Rotarian Age" contains an inscription by Harris that may tell us where he spent his time recovering from some very serious physical illnesses. If you like a mystery, you'll enjoy following this thread through his books.

Jack Selway, Former Chairman and Founder

Rotary Global History Fellowship

Webmaster for www.rotaryfirst100.org

Books and other writing by Paul Harris