Kellogg-Briand Pact
[Paris, France], ca. August 27, 1928
Kellogg-Briand Pact Certified True Copy Signed By U.S. State Sec. Frank B. Kellogg
DS

A 9pp printed document faithfully reproducing the Kellogg-Briand Pact, "certified to be a true copy of the signed original deposited with the Government of the United States of America." Signed with a live signature at its conclusion by U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg (1856-1937) as "Frank B Kellogg." Ca. August 27, 1928. [Paris, France.] Above Kellogg's live signature are printed signatures belonging to 14 signers from 15 nations who originally signed the Treaty, to be elaborated below. The bilingual document is printed in French and English on thick stock paper, with tricolored string binding. Isolated foxing and scuffs, with a previous owner's scattered pencil inscriptions. Else near fine. 9.875" x 13.125". Housed in a handsome burgundy cloth-covered presentation case with black leather and gilt-embossed spine measuring 11" x 14.75" x .875".

The two principal negotiators of the Kellogg-Briand Pact were U.S. Secretary of State James B. Kellogg and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Astride Briand. The Treaty - whose alternate title is the "General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy" - consisted of several preliminary statements and three Articles.

In part:

"…Deeply sensible of their solemn duty to promote the welfare of mankind; Persuaded that the time has come when a frank renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy should be made to the end that the peaceful and friendly relations now existing between their peoples may be perpetuated; Convinced that all changes in their relations with one another should sought only by pacific means…; Hopeful that, encouraged by their example, all the other nations of the world will soon join in this humane endeavor and by adhering to the present Treaty as soon as it comes into force bring their peoples within the scope of its beneficent provisions, thus uniting the civilized nations of the world in a common renunciation of war as an instrument of their national policy…"

Countries who participated in the Treaty pledged to avoid warfare and to seek peaceful conflict resolutions. These were truly meaningful promises in the aftermath of World War I and during the interwar period. 15 nations originally signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact on August 27, 1928, the signers representing (in alphabetical order): Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa.

The printed signatures above Kellogg's live signature represent (in order of appearance):

- Germany: Gustav Stresemann, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- United States: Frank B. Kellogg, U.S. Secretary of State;
- Belgium: Paul Hymans, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State;
- France: Aristide Briand, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
- United Kingdom: Ronald John McNeill, 1st Baron Cushendun, Acting-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs;
- Canada: William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs;
- Australia: Alexander John McLachlan, Member of the Executive Federal Council;
- New Zealand: Sir Christopher James Parr, High Commissioner for New Zealand in Great Britain;
- South Africa: Jacobus Stephanus Smit, High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa in Great Britain;
- Ireland: William Thomas Cosgrave, President of the Executive Council;
- India: Ronald John McNeill, 1st Baron Cushendun, Acting-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs;
- Italy: Count Gaetano Manzoni, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Paris;
- Japan: Count Uchida Yasuya, Privy Councilor;
- Poland: August Zaleski, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
- Czechoslovakia: Eduard Beneš, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Kellogg-Briand Pact became effective on July 24, 1929 and is still binding today. Over 70 nations from around the world have now joined the pact. History shows us that the effectiveness of the Kellogg-Briand Pact has been limited over time; there have been dozens of conflicts since 1929, and indeed, multiple foreign wars are being waged today in 2026. Yet the Kellogg-Briand Pact represents yet another symbolic gesture towards world peace, in the spirit of the 1920 League of Nations, and anticipating the 1945 United Nations.

Frank B. Kellogg was awarded the 1929 Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in negotiating the Treaty. He served as U.S. Secretary of State during both the Coolidge and Hoover administrations, from March 1925 until March 1929.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: presentation case: 11" x 14.75" x .875"
  • Medium: DS

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