Original artwork for program of Parliamentary Press Gallery luncheon.

CHURCHILL, Winston S. - STRUBE, Sidney.

Published by [1945]

A splendid artwork, signed by Churchill, the artist Strube, and Percy F. Cole, the chairman of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, who were hosting Churchill as guest of honour at a luncheon in the Palace of Westminster on 23 April 1945, two weeks before victory in Europe. The artwork depicts Churchill crowned by History with the helm of St. George, surrounded by hats from his wartime conferences. Sidney Strube (1891-1956) worked as cartoonist for the Daily Express. Cole wrote to Churchill on 5 July 1961, that he had given "an original Strube cartoon of yourself, which we much prize" to Churchill's secretary Grace Hamblin, and hopes "you will be pleased to see & possibly to enrich with your initials. The cartoon formed the basis of the menu for the Parliamentary Press Gallery luncheon, which fell on St George's Day 1945 just before the end of the war. I had the honour of acting as host to you on this occasion". Churchill's secretary Anthony Montague Brown wrote to Cole on 18 July 1961 - "Dear Mr. Cole, Sir Winston Churchill has signed the cartoon for you, and asks me to send you his good wishes. As Sir Winston now very rarely gives his autograph, perhaps you would kindly ensure that not too many people know about it - otherwise he would be inundated with requests and reproaches!" (letters in the Churchill Archives, CHUR 2/507). In his essay "Cartoons and Cartoonists", published in Thoughts and Adventures in 1932, Churchill wrote "I always loved cartoons" (p. 23) and reproduced two by Strube, commenting they were "very good examples of his genial spirit" (p. 33). While Churchill was frequently the target of Strube's sharp humour, the cartoons often celebrated him, particularly during the Second World War, when Strube's widely reproduced image of Churchill as a bulldog helped cement the enduring Churchill/bulldog association. Provenance: the collection of Steve Forbes, chairman of Forbes Magazine, and presidential candidate in the 1996 and 2000 US elections. The programme is illustrated in Brian E. Krapf, A Churchill Treasury, 2023, p. 197. Pen, ink, and wash on paper drawing board, 532 x 346 mm. Presented in a handmade black gesso and gold wooden frame with conservation acrylic glazing, 650 x 460 mm. A little light soiling, minor rubbing at edges, tape residue on verso. In very good condition. Seller Inventory # 173656

Bibliographic Details

Title: Original artwork for program of ...
Publisher: [1945]
Signed: Signed by Author(s)