Bearded Prince Tomohito of Mikasa Imperial House Japan Autograph 1968

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa was in the UK in 1968 to study at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he remained until 1970. He was studying Far-Eastern International Relations and was the first member of the Japanese Imperial family to study at a British university following World War II.

Provenance: 

From a large collection of Autographs (c500 +) in two albums that were personally obtained by Mr Bernard Sullivan (Apr 1920 – Feb 2017), renowned Senior Toastmaster for the Society of London Toastmasters.

Over his long distinguished career, he worked with many people from around the world including Royalty, Heads of States, Archbishops, HM Judges, Stars of Stage and Screen , Politicians and Sportsmen, many becoming like old friends. During his 58 years as a Toastmaster, he gradually built up a large, impressive collection of autographs, which were all personally collected by him. He cherished them and proudly showed them off to friends and family.  

Sullivan would use whatever was available to hand to get his autograph. This may be a menu, a business card, a scrap from his notes, a page from a programme, a ticket to the event, etc.

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (Jan 1946 – Jun 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title “Prince Mikasa”. Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the “Bearded Prince” He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.