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Lot 249

CHURCHILL (WINSTON)
Photograph, signed on the mount ("Winston S. Churchill"), taken by Vivienne in 1951, showing Churchill seated half-length in black formal jacket and bow-tie, presented to the Steward of the House of Commons Smoking Room, Leonard Simmonds, with accompanying letter, 28 July 1964

24 June 2015, 11:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £2,125 inc. premium

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CHURCHILL (WINSTON)

Photograph, signed on the mount ("Winston S. Churchill"), taken by Vivienne in 1951, showing Churchill seated half-length in black formal jacket and bow-tie; with accompanying letter by his private secretary Anthony Montague Browne sending it to Leonard Simmonds on 28 July 1964 ("...Sir Winston Churchill hopes that you will accept the enclosed photograph which he has signed for you. It comes with his thanks for the many occasions you have helped him, and with his very best wishes for the future..."), in original studio mount, studio stamps on reverse, plus leather display-frame, the letter lightly stained through mounting, size of image 177 x 233mm., 28 July 1964

Footnotes

CHURCHILL BIDS FAREWELL TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE STEWARD OF THE SMOKING ROOM. He was present at the House for the last time on 27 July 1964 and the following day a deputation to his home at Park Gate presented him with the resolution: 'That this House desire to take this opportunity of marking the forthcoming retirement of the right honourable Gentleman the Member for Woodford by putting on record its unbounded admiration and gratitude for his services to Parliament, to the nation and to the world; remembers, above all, his inspiration of the British people when they stood alone, and his leadership until victory was won; and offers its grateful thanks to the right honourable Gentleman for these outstanding services to this House and to the nation'. He died the following January.

The recipient of this photograph, Leonard (Len) Simmonds, served for many years as Steward of the Smoking Room at the House of Commons, being in attendance during all night sittings and becoming something of an institution. He looked after the well-being of Churchill and all subsequent prime ministers and cabinet members up until the time of Mrs Thatcher, Sir Winston being particularly fond of him. An invitation and ticket to Churchill's state funeral is included in the lot, together with a letter by Churchill's son-in-law Christopher Soames, looking forward to seeing him again in the Smoking Room.

Additional information

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