A signed presentation portrait with letters Prime Minister Herbert Asquith 1919

PRIME MINISTER HERBERT ASQUITH: A SIGNED PRESENTATION PORTRAIT WITH AUTOGRAPH NOTES
 
ASQUITH, Herbert Henry (1852-1928). Signed photographic portrait with accompanying autograph notes. [London, 1919].
 
Large mounted oval photographic portrait of H. H. Asquith, boldly signed and dated by him beneath the image, housed in the original grey textured presentation folder with Art Nouveau-style embossed decoration to upper cover. Closed size 220 x 320mm. Together with two autograph notes signed by Asquith on his printed 20 Cavendish Square stationery, one dated 16 June 1919 reading "With Mr Asquith's compliments", the other dated 31 March 1919 stating "Certainly if you will send the photograph"; also with the original autograph-addressed envelope to the recipient in New York. Some light marking and occasional foxing to the notes and envelope; photograph with a few small white specks to image, apparently from the original negative; folder with minor edge wear and trivial rubbing at corners. Very good overall.
 
An attractive Asquith presentation piece, far grander in format than the standard signed cabinet photograph typically encountered. The inclusion of the two accompanying autograph notes creates a complete chain of correspondence surrounding the production and dispatch of the signed portrait. The recipient was the autograph collector Yosaku Minami of New York, to whom Asquith courteously responded regarding the sending and signing of the photograph. A scarce survival in such complete form, combining signed portrait, autograph correspondence and original mailing envelope.