Anon

Mary Soames, A Churchill Family Album, Penguin, London, 1982, illustrated fig.262;
Roy Jenkins, Churchill, Macmillan, London, 2001, illustrated fig.62.

Printed recently on modern Kodak paper. The sheet is slightly curled and has some light creases. The surface of the paper is torn and scuffed at the extreme edges. There is some staining to the sheet at the upper and lower right. There is a horizontal scratch measuring approximately 2cm to the left of the flag pole and some losses at the lower horizontal edge of the image This damage was part of the original photograph from which this reproduction was taken. The photograph is presented in a window mount and black frame. Please contact the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

This extraordinary and very moving image has been reproduced many times and could be regarded as being part of iconic group of British wartime images.

Taken in 1940 on the 25th of September after London had sustained very heavy bombing with The City and east end virtually unaccesible. A motor launch down the Thames presented the best way for the Prime Minister to view the damage.

The photograph presents an image of Winston and Clementine almost as a single unit, there is a sense of the great weight of the war on his shoulders and the responsibility he faced shared with his wife by his side, their togetherness and solidity as a couple is evident and its appeal to the British public at the time it was taken must have been great as well as reassuring.