SIGNED PRESENTATION PORTRAIT

A large photographic reproduction of the 1951 Trinity House portrait by Sir Oswald Birley. Inscribed to the lower margin in black ink by Winston Churchill during his second term as British Prime Minister "With many thanks / from your old friend / Winston S. Churchill / 1952". Measuring 37 x 30 cm. In excellent condition with minor creasing to the corners and toning to the margin edges, the inscription and photograph bright and without fading. Contemporary dark wood frame, glazed. A scarce image in inscribed state.

In April 1951 the maritime authority Trinity House commissioned the distinguished portrait painter Oswald Birley to depict Winston Churchill as an Elder Brother of the Corporation. Churchill had held this prestigious association since his service as First Lord of the Admiralty before and during the First World War. His connection with Trinity House remained a visible and symbolic one: Churchill was frequently photographed wearing the distinctive Trinity House cap or uniform, particularly during naval inspections and maritime visits throughout the Second World War. The recipient of this particularly warm prime-ministerial presentation was the eminent Australian statesman Lord Casey (Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey, 1890–1976). One of the most distinguished figures in twentieth-century Australian public life, Casey enjoyed a remarkable career in imperial and international service. He served as an army officer in the First World War, later entering politics as a cabinet minister and subsequently representing Australia as Ambassador to the United States. During the Second World War he sat in Churchill's War Cabinet and later held the office of Governor of Bengal. His long career of public service culminated in his appointment as the 16th Governor-General of Australia, serving from 1965 to 1969.