Churchill, Sir Winston.

head and shoulders, signed and dated on the mount by churchill ("Winston S Churchill | July 1928"), bromide print signed by Vandyk in the image, stamped on the verso "Copyright Photo by | Vandyk, | 41 Buckingham Palace Road, S.W.", Vandyk label on back of frame printed in red, with the original postal packaging, size of aperture c.220 x 165mm. (8¾ x 6½ in.), overall size c.380 x 305mm. (15 x 12 in.)

Carl Vandyk (fl.1882-1908) opened his first London studio in 1882 at 125 Gloucester Road. Later studios, under his son Henry (c.1880-1943) were at 37 and 41 Buckingham Palace Road. In 1964 the company became Bassano & Vandyk Studio and in 1965 it incorporated Elliott and Fry. The company held royal warrants from the King, Queen and Prince of Wales and called themselves Court Photographer and Portrait Painter.

The original Vandyk packing included in the lot shows that this photograph was sent on 24 July 1928 to L.H. Hayter of the National Conservative Organisation at 18 Castle Street, Bridgewater. He was a Conservative agent; a number of letters of his are in Leeds University Library. A version of this portrait is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.