Gandhi, Mohandas K.

head and shoulders portrait of Gandhi in profile, signed on the image in black ink ("M.K. Gandhi"), press stamp on the reverse in purple ink ("Photo Supplied Central News"), 165 x 120mm, [1931]; slight abrasion with two small spots of loss to image

John Smith Clarke (1885-1959); thence by descent.

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...It is no answer to be told that there are some in India who are afraid of the words 'freedom' and 'independence'... I assure you that the starving millions and those who have become politically conscious entertain no such fear and they are ready to pay the price for the sake of freedom..." (Gandhi, speech to the Independent Labour Party, London, 2 October 1931)

A RARE SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF GANDHI. This photograph was signed for John Smith Clarke (1885-1959), who was, in his day, one of the most remarkable figures of the British House of Commons. Clarke was a lion-tamer, adventurer, and revolutionary whose extraordinary life had included hitch-hiking from South Africa to Tyneside, writing protest poems against World War One, and travelling through war-torn Russia via the Arctic Circle  to meet Lenin on behalf of Scottish trade unions. As a member of the Independent Labour Party he was MP for Glasgow Maryhill from 1929 to 1931 (entertaining himself by writing biting mock-epitaphs for fellow Parliamentarians). The ILP organised a birthday lunch for Gandhi at Westminster on 2 October 1931 at which Clarke would certainly have been present, when Gandhi gave the speech quoted above, and this photograph may well have been acquired on that occasion.

Gandhi did not commonly sign photographs, and many of the signed photographs that appear on the market were, like this, signed during Gandhi's visit to Britain for the Second Round Table Conference between September and December 1931. These photographs share the same distinctive and awkward signature as throughout this period an injury to Gandhi's right thumb forced him to write with his left hand.