May 14, 2018

By BRIAN KRAPF

This unique piece is an original 5 x 7 inch pencil sketch executed by Labour politician Hugh Dalton. It features the two most prominent politicians in postwar Britain, Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee. Dalton served in the cabinets of both leaders. During the war he was first Minister for Economic Warfare and then President of the Board of Trade under Churchill. After the war, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Churchill is depicted smoking his trademark cigar and carrying a walking stick, while Attlee stands with his hands in his pockets. The sketch was made at an undated Attlee cabinet meeting and given by Dalton to Sir George Mallaby, who served as a cabinet undersecretary on British foreign and defence policy. The sketch was passed down through the Mallaby family as a keepsake of Sir George’s public service.

What discussion at that cabinet meeting prompted Dalton to sketch WSC and Attlee together? We’ll never know, but it’s fun to speculate!

Brian Krapf formerly served as President of the American Political Items Collectors.

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