The photograph with the signature is in an old glass encasement, with the
accompanying original note below handwritten on the back. There are two
more photos of him, one with his wife Soong Mei-ling and another in uniform
that likely dates to pre ww2. You can clearly see a Christmas tree in the background
of the photo with Soong, and I believe this is around the same time as the photo
with the signature. Given these facts, I believe this signature is likely some time
before 1949 when Chiang was still leader of mainland China.
Found in a prolific collection of historical and military items.
The last photo is a verified signature of his for comparison purposes only, it is NOT
included in this collection.
Handwritten note reads:
Dear Friend Johnston,
Herewith a ______(print) of the photo that I promised to get you.
I asked for a 5" x 7", but you never quite get what you ask
for in this country.
The signature on the left is Chang Chung-Cheng, which is
his real name. Kai-Shek is his "hav" meaning literally
"number" and is never used officially.
If you want to frame it I think it could be photographed and
enlarged.
I'm going to send another print to "LIFE" (magazine) in it's
hope that they will publish it.
We're OK and I feel that we're not doing too badly.
Yours truly,
Rodney Culburt (no copy right)
Uniform photo measures approximately 10 3/4 by 9
Photo with Soong measures 11 3/4 by 9 1/2
Glass piece with signature measures 7 1/2 by 5 3/4,
with that photo measuring 4" x 5"
J06092022
Weight 14 ounces