Vintage matte-finish 4.75 x 6.5 seated portrait of Prime Minister Churchill, originally taken by Vivienne [Florence Vivienne Melish] circa 1951, affixed to the original 6.5 x 9.25 mount, signed on the mount in fountain pen, "Winston S. Churchill." Displayed it its original display folder, with back cover bearing a "Vivienne, 20th Century Studios Ltd" copyright stamp. In very good condition, with irregular silvering the image, three circular stains on Churchill's left sleeve, and two old tape stains to the top edge of the mount. Accompanied by the original transmittal letter, dated July 6, 1956.
Vivienne (1889-1982) was a leading society portrait photographer who began as an assistant to her husband Ernest and their son, Antony. In 1949, Antony, by then making a career photographing actors in Hollywood, married Churchill’s daughter Sarah, an actress. Both families became friends and Vivienne made many portraits of Churchill.
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