A portrait photograph signed by Byng of Vimy taken by Walter Stoneman 1st 1920

BYNG, Julian, 1st Viscount of Vimy; STONEMAN, Walter – A half-length portrait (signed and dated)
 
A 211mm x 152mm bromide print; with a matt finish and sealed to thick card; overall in excellent condition with only trivial wear to corner tips and one small barely visible scratch to the background; this copy has been signed by the sitter, Byng of Vimy in black ink and dated 1920.  
 
The National Portrait Gallery commissioned leading photographer Walter Stoneman to take pictures of politicians, royalty and military leaders for its archives. Stoneman took this portrait of Byng in 1918, and the original is housed at the gallery. It is likely that this bromide print was made by Stoneman for Byng, along with a few others so that he could sign for friends, family or well-wishers. This contemporary print is scarce, and particularly so signed and dated by the sitter. Julian “Bungo” Byng was a distinguished military hero of the Great War, as Commander of the Canadian Corp at Vimy Ridge, for which he was elevated to a peerage in honour of his deeds. He also became Canada’s Governor General and served as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
 
A scarce item with none like this for sale in commerce and only two others known about in the National Portrait Gallery and one in Australia. Bungo had a magnificent moustache.