Exceptional matte-finish 8 x 9.75 head-and-shoulders portrait of Kennedy in a suit and tie by Fabian Bachrach, affixed to its original 11 x 14 mount, which is calligraphically inscribed “For: Major-General Paul A. Gavan, Commanding General, Military District of Washington,” and signed below in fountain pen, “with my very best wishes, John Kennedy.” The reverse of the mount bears an affixed credit label: “Photo by Fabian Bachrach, Reproduction by the US Army.” In fine condition.
Major Gen. Paul A. Gavan (1904- 1979) was a decorated combat veteran of World War II who earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster while participating in campaigns in the North Solomons and Guadalcanal. He worked in Army intelligence from 1946 to 1948, and from 1952 to 1954 studied at the National War College and served with The Adjutant General's Office and the Office of Military Assistance. Gavan served two tours in Europe, the first from 1949 to 1951 as a training officer, and the second, from 1957 to 1961, when he rose from assistant chief of staff for personnel of the U.S. Army in Heidelberg, to the post of commanding general of the Military District of Washington from 1961 until his retirement from the Army in 1963.
Fabian Bachrach was an American photographer, known for portraits of celebrities, politicians, presidents, and other prominent individuals. Bachrach was best known for a portrait of Senator John F. Kennedy, which was later used as his official photograph after he was elected President in 1960. Bachrach's family, who own Bachrach Studios, has been in the commercial photography business for more than 140 years and is believed to be the world's oldest continuously operating photography studio.
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