Antique & Vintage Photographs

This is a silver gelatin publicity photo that is 254x203mm (10x8 inches)

It shows the late English conductor Sir John Pritchard leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra during the Last Night of the Proms on 16 September 1989. Sir John is shown smiling broadly from the conductor's podium, which is decorated with streamers, as he gestures to the audience. The orchestra members are visible behind him in this celebratory concert atmosphere.

According to the press caption on the reverse, this performance was Sir John's final one in the UK. Sir John Pritchard (1921-1989) was a highly respected conductor, known for his work with Mozart and Richard Strauss operas. At the time of this photograph, he had recently concluded his tenure as Chief Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), a position he held from 1982 to 1989.

The photograph is credited to Alex von Koettlitz, whose copyright stamp is present on the reverse. A second label indicates the print was for use by the BBC. Handwritten annotations, likely for publication, note a date of "Feb 90", suggesting when the image was used.