BENES EDVARD: (1884-1948) Czech statesman who served as President of Czechoslovakia 1935-38, 1945-48 and also led the Czechoslovak government-in-exile from 1939-45 during World War II. An excellent vintage large signed 6 x 8 photograph of Benes, the image depicting him seated before his desk in a half-length pose. Signed `Edvard Benes´ in bold blue fountain pen ink, a large signature to the lower white border, also adding beneath "Prague, 24th November 1945", in his hand and immediately beneath his signature. VG

After the Prague uprising at the end of World War II, Beneš returned home and resumed his former position as president. The Constitution article 58.5 said, "The former president shall stay in his or her function till the new president shall be elected". He was unanimously confirmed in office by the National Assembly on 28 October 1945, a month before the present photograph was signed, and In December 1945, a month after the present photograph was signed, all of the Red Army forces left Czechoslovakia.