Churchill, Sir Winston

vintage silverprint (210 x 295mm) depicting the Admiralty Yacht HMS Enchantress under steam in Malta, mounted (mount size 340 x 445mm) with the blind stamp of Grand Studio, Malta, inscribed in ink on the image by the ship's captain ("In recollection of Mediterranean Cruise 1913 from T.N. James"), signed on the mount by Churchill ("Winston S. Churchill"), his wife ("Clementine S. Churchill"), his mother ("Jennie Cornwallis-West"), the Prime Minister ("H.H. Asquith"), his wife ("Margot Asquith"), and his daughter ("Violet Asquith"), the First Sea Lord ("A.G.H.W. Moore"), and Churchill's private secretaries ("E. Marsh" and "J.E. Masterton-Smith"), [1913], mount dust-stained at edge and with minor chips, slight marks and silvering to image 
[with:] other material relating to Chief Petty Officer Thomas Trott, comprising a vintage silverprint (120 x 165mm) showing Churchill, Asquith and party with the crew of HMS Enchantress, two other related vintage photographs, three photographic postcards sent to members of the Trott family, a letter by T.N. James to Trot sending him a gift "in recollection of our time as shipmates together in the Enchantress" (1913) and one other letter to Trott (1915), four letters and and documents from the Admiralty relating to Trott's death on HMS Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland (1916-21), with four later photocopies, a computer print-out note on the Trott family, and an envelope (20)

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."

A RARE MEMENTO OF A MEDITTERANEAN CRUISE IN THE LAST YEAR OF PEACE BEFORE WORLD WAR I. The Enchantress was a 4000 ton yacht reserved for use of the First Lord of the Admiralty; Churchill spent a total of eight months aboard whilst he was First Lord, visiting naval facilities and taking extensive sightseeing holidays (much of his correspondence from 1911 to 1914 is dated from the Enchantress). The Asquiths accompanied the Churchills on several cruises on the ship, including a trip that took in Malta, Venice, Dubrovnik, and Athens in May 1913. 

Thomas Trott (1875-1916) was Chief Petty Officer on the Enchantress from 24 April 1912 to 18 August 1913. He was later transferred to HMS Queen Mary, and was amongst the 1266 servicemen killed when she was sunk on 31 May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland.