Autographs of Chairman Mao, Gandhi, and Sitting Bull go under the hammer in Maidenhead

Chairman Mao, Gandhi, and Chief Sitting Bull are among the names in a collection of rare autographs set to be auctioned in Maidenhead this week (Wednesday, July 24).

The historic figures feature in a nearly 120-strong collection, expected to fetch more than £60,000 when it goes under the hammer at Dawsons Auctioneers.

From politicians and rock n’ roll superstars to sporting greats and legendary authors, the collection showcases the last 150 years.

“It’s a nice snapshot of history,” said Dawsons specialist Peter Mason.

“For a collection to have something like Chairman Mao’s autograph, that’s incredibly rare - we’re quite privileged to have them here.”

The collection is split into 76 separate lots, each containing a snapshot of history.

Each piece has been verified for its authenticity.

Lot 25, valued at £20,000 to £30,000, holds Chairman Mao’s signature alongside then Pakistani PM Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.

Mao, the infamous leader of the Chinese state, was Chairman of the Communist Party of China (CCP) from its establishment in 1949 to his death in 1976.

His leadership took China through the ‘Cultural Revolution’ – one of the bloodiest and most uncertain periods in the country’s history.

The signature in this collection, however, features a moment from Mao’s history aimed at developing peaceful cooperation with Pakistan.

Elsewhere in the collection is Mahatma Gandhi’s signature, penned in December 1931.

It is understood the rare exhibit was obtained the day Gandhi returned home from a trip to see Italian fascist leader Mussolini.

And another rarity is a signature from Sitting Bull.

Sitting Bull led the Native American Lakota tribe during years of resistance against white settlers in the 19th century.

He fought at the battle of Little Big Horn alongside Sioux chief Crazy Bull, where native forces routed federal troops in one of the most significant engagements on the American prairie

Peter said: “It's quite unusual to see a collection of this type, given the various signatures that are included.

“Normally people collect well-known TV and film personalities, but to have such a varied collection -  with some very rare ones thrown in - is very unusual.”

However, this collection is not without its superstars from popular culture.

There are early signatures from the Beatles, Nirvana, Bob Marley, and Jim Morrison of The Doors.

Mohammed Ali also features in the collection, the work of Franz-Peter Bach – A German collector.

It is now being sold after his death, with half of all proceeds being donated to the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and the German Animal Welfare Association.

Peter added: “It’s quite a big thing going back [autograph collecting, there’s an argument that it's dying out a bit now because – in the age of selfies – people might not ask for an autograph anymore they’ll ask for a selfie."

For more information on the auction visit the Dawsons website.