Winston Churchill Signed Royal Air Force Portrait.

Rare color transfer print of Winston Churchill in his Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform by David Waddington, one of five known examples produced. Boldly signed by Winston Churchill in the lower border in ink, "Winston S. Churchill." Additionally with Waddington's signature printed in facsimile. While serving in the Royal Air Force, photographer David Waddington was assigned to the 'RAF Colour Portrait Project' a fundraising effort to benefit the United States Army Air Forces Aid Society and Royal Air Force Charities. For his sitting, Churchill chose to wear his decorated Air Commodore uniform: in 1939, he had been appointed Honorary Air Commodore of No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron in the Auxiliary Air Force, and awarded honorary wings. Churchill was reportedly so enthused with the resulting portrait that he requested five direct-color transfer prints to autograph for presentation; these are therefore extremely rare and highly prized today. Similar prints bearing Waddington's printed signature but lacking Churchill's autograph were subsequently mass-produced for fundraising purposes. Triple matted and framed. In very good condition with a closed tear to the lower right corner of the mount, and an unobtrusive professionally repaired tear to the image, passing through Churchill's left arm and the end of his first name. The print measures 8.25 inches by 10.75 inches. Triple matted and framed. The entire piece measures 18.25 inches by 20.5 inches. A very rare and highly desirable piece of Churchilliana.