In 1976, Pelé participates in an exhibition in Japan with the Cosmos and signs an autograph for a fan.
Photograph of Pelé playing football in Japan, signed by him, with text in English on the back.
+/- 21 cm x 15 cm.
Japan, 1976.
Excellent condition.
Unique piece.
The image shows Pelé in action on the field. The player is wearing the number 10 jersey and is dribbling the ball during a match. There is a handwritten dedication on the photo that reads “To my friend Pelé.” On the back of the photo, there is text in English describing a match played by the New York Cosmos at the Tokyo Soccer Field against Furukawa, a Japanese team. The text adds that “Pelé puts heart and soul into the act, as always,” and also includes a reference to the source of the photo, which is Sipa Press, a renowned press agency. The match took place on September 1, 1976, in Tokyo, during the Cosmos’ Asian tour. This game was part of a series of international exhibitions designed to promote soccer in the United States and around the world, with Pelé as the ambassador for this expansion.
Although Pelé signed thousands of shirts, papers and books throughout his career, photographs of the King in action, autographed by him at the time, are much rarer and sought after by fans and collectors from all over the world. The photograph shows Pelé in action, is large in size, is in perfect condition, with a beautiful dedication and the words 'Pelé puts heart and soul into the act, as always' on the back, which adds an extra touch of emotion. It is, in my opinion, a very special piece.
