Churchill (Sir Winston Spencer).- [Mellish (Florence Vivienne, photographer)] "Vivienne". Photographic portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, signed by Churchill on mount 'Winston S. Churchill | 1955', 130 x 160mm, photographer's stamp to verso, small amount of spotting at top edge of mount, framed, [c.1950].

⁂ One of Churchill's favourite portraits, which was used for his 1950 election campaign. The photograph was taken by Churchill's daughter Sarah's mother-in-law, 'Vivienne', who was known as the "Grand Old Lady of the Camera", due to her insistence that all subjects come to her studio rather than she to them. Churchill, however, was the exception and during their ten minute session, Vivienne produced nine studies of which this is one. The present photograph belonged to the de Blanck family - Ambassador Count Guillermo de Blanck y Menocal was a friend of Churchill's and his son the artist, Dario de Blanck, was introduced to painting by Churchill. The photograph is accompanied by certificate of authentication from reputable autograph expert Garry King (Autographica Ltd). The lot also includes another signed photograph, of classical guitarist Andrès Segovia, dedicated to Guillermo de Blanck.