Original b/w press photograph of British-born Soviet spy Harold 'Kim' Philby (1912–1988) during a meeting with the British press in Kensington, London, on November 8, 1955. Back with news telegram dated November 10, 1955, restriction stamps and stamped dates of newspaper publication (November 10, 1955, July 3, 1963). Oak wood frame with double glazing. Visible size 18×22 cm. Frame size 28×32 cm.
The so-called ‘Cambridge Five’ - five young Brits with upper class roots - were all recruited by the Soviet Union as spies while attending Cambridge in the 1930s, hence the group’s unofficial nickname. The best known member of the group was the elegant and cultivated ‘Kim’ (Harold) Philby (1912–1988), in his peak years a very high ranking diplomat, who was close to being revealed when this famous photo was taken in 1955. Eight years later, in 1963, Kim Philby defected and lived the rest of his life behind the Iron Curtain as a cherished KGB colonel. He is today considered the most successful Soviet double agent ever.
This is an original b/w silver-gelatin press photograph from 1955, which appears with a ‘speckled’ surface and surface crease in the upper white frame edge. Back side telegram somewhat yellowed/discolored.
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