Framed SIGNED and DATED PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH of Winston Churchill as a Young Subaltern in India

Description

This extraordinary original 1896 portrait photograph of Winston Churchill as a young Subaltern newly arrived in Bangalore, India is signed and dated in ink: “Winston Spencer-Churchill 1899” at the lower right corner of the mount. Churchill did not sign his full, formal Spencer-Churchill surname for very long beyond this date; it’s presence here is quite marvelous.

The image itself, while well known, varies from the standard view. Clearly a few different angles were shot during the photo session. This one particularly captures Churchill’s exceptionally youthful face. He was then just twenty-one.

The photograph measures 7 1/4 x 9 inches and is in very good overall condition, with some surface scratches and a crease in the upper righthand corner. There is a break in the original mount behind this crease that does not affect the image.

A typed note present with the photograph in an envelope from the London autograph dealer, Winifred A. Myers of New Bond Street, London, postmarked 14 December 1964, states: “This photograph has a history. It was given [by Winston Churchill] to General Sir Reginald Wingate who followed Kitchener as Sirdar (C-in-C) of Egyptian Army and Governor-General of the Sudan, who had helped Churchill with his book, “The River Road [sic-“War”]…”

The photograph is matted and sumptuously framed in burled wood (18 x 18 inches overall).