Displayed is the vintage autograph of Basil Rathbone, the Anglo-South African actor, born in 1892, most famous for his quintessential movie portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, Britain's famous crime sleuth. Rathbone was an accomplished Shakespearean actor before he became a film star. He appeared in over 70 films, 14 times as Sherlock Holmes. Each of these times he was paired with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. He served in the British Army during World War I, and he became a 2-time Army fencing champion. Rathbone also became a daring Army scout, being camouflaged as a tree, with a wreath on his head and burnt cork on his face. Thus camouflaged, he chose the unconventional technique of sneaking close to enemy forces in the daylight, very dangerous because it lacked the cover of night. For these exploits, he was awarded the Military Cross, for his conspicuous daring on reconnaissance patrol. In his film career, Rathbone put his outstanding fencing capabilities to great use, and he even taught fellow actors, such as Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn, how to fence. Rathbone used to joke about his fencing ability compared to that of Errol Flynn, with Rathbone exclaiming, "I could have killed Errol Flynn any time I wanted to." The Rathbone autograph is on a piece of paper or card stock measuring 2.25x4.25". Signing in blue ink, Rathbone signed and added the inscription "March 31 '65." A tag, apparently made by an embossed Dymo labeler, made by an unknown hand, reads, "Basil Rathbone Alias Inspector Sherlock Holmes of Scotland Yard." The tag is in error, as Holmes worked as a private detective, not for Scotland Yard. The cut signature has been encapsulated and PSA/DNA Certified with an AUTO GRADE of NM-MT 8.