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Archives For November 30, 1999
Gertrude was born in 1902 in Aiken, SC, into a family with two older siblings, Sara Jane “Janie” Sanford and Stephen “Laddie” Sanford. Below are a two scrapbook pages from the children’s early years.
Aiken, 1913
Aiken and Atlantic City, early 1900s
Gertrude’s sister, Sarah Jane (“Janie”) Cochran Sanford, married Italian diplomat, Mario Pansa, in 1937. Pansa played polo with Stephen Sanford, and served as a social adviser to Benito Mussolini before and during World War II. Below are images of the couple, as well as images from Mario’s time in fascist Italy and Germany during WWII.
We are still in the process of identifying some of the men in these photographs. If you recognize someone, let us know (mchughck@cofc.edu)!
Jane (left) and Mario Pansa
The Pansa’s wedding invitation and portrait
Jane golfing in Palm Beach, Florida
Mario and his polo team
Mario with his elephant trophy, 1930
June 1943. Benito Mussolini (in white), Mihai Antonescu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, (2nd from right) Mario Pansa (6th from left), others unidentified
June 1943. Mihai Antonescu, Mussolini (center), and Pansa (second from center), others unidentified
Mihai Antonescu, June 1943
June 1943. Mihai Antonescu, others unidentified
June 1943. Benito Mussolini (right), Mihai Antonescu (left)
June 1943. Benito Mussolini (right), Mihai Antonescu (left)
Galeazzo Ciano (center), Foreign Minister of Fascist Italy from 1936 until 1943 and Benito Mussolini’s son-in-law.
June 1943. Mihai Antonescu (center), Mario Pansa (front left), others unidentified