Book of Vows to Tito with a signature of a female General

[BalkanCollector]

Here's something different than my usual collecting theme. A family member saved this from being thrown into garbage over a 10 years ago by finding this next to a dumpster in a hospital. Ex-military hospital in Zagreb, Croatia was throwing away old archive, various documents and books. It's a book of vows to Josip Broz Tito and it was signed by representatives of various departments of the old military hospital in Šalata, Zagreb. There are vows of a Major (chief of department), two Officials 3rd class (rank equivalent to Major), one Captain 1st class and about 20 more. The most interesting signature is that of General Major dr. Slava Blažević. She was one of only two women which held the rank of a General in the Yugoslav People's Army, both in the medical service and both General Majors. The other woman is General Major dr. Roza Papo. Blažević was also an active partisan, political commissar of the partisan hospitals in Lika and "prvoborac". Her husband was People's Hero of Yugoslavia and a Hero of Socialist labour Jakov Blažević. I belive her signature is authentic rather than facsimile because it's the offical document for the book of vows addressing to a military hospital which states that the book of vows to Tito should be made as an act of remembrance. I could be wrong though and her signature could actually be facsimile.

The medal of 40 Years of Yugoslav People's Army which can be seen on the first photo isn't related to a book itself but I've put it here because it's my grandmother's medal and she was working at that military hospital as a nurse at the time the book was issued, plus it's a nice touch for the photo.

I'm extremely glad this gem was saved because it was probably the matter of hours or even minutes until it could have been thrown into the dumpster.

Edited July 17, 2018 by BalkanCollector

[Gordon Craig]

BalkanCollector

Very interesting historical document and medal.  Thanks very much for posting this info.

Regards,

Gordon

 

[BalkanCollector]

No problem Gordon! It's an interesting find with an interesting story so I had to post it here. 

[Daffy Duck]

Great find and I as well believe that's a original signature.

[Egorka]

Great stuff! I am very glad this historical artefact could be preserved!

[BalkanCollector]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your kind words. 

[paja]

Most interesting, thanks for sharing, luckily your family member managed to save it. God only knows how much documents ended up in garbage all around former Yugoslav republics...

[BalkanCollector]

Thanks Paja! Yes, there were tons of papers, books and all kinds of documents at the time this book was to be thrown. Maybe there was even better stuff in that pile but at least this one was saved. Not to mention, as you said, other republics' organizations, facilities etc.