Carl Stokes Photograph Appraisal

Signed Black and White Photograph of Carl Stokes and David Belin

This item is a historical black and white silver gelatin print photograph, mounted on a white mat board. The image captures a formal interaction between two prominent figures: Carl Stokes (on the left), the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city, and David Belin (on the right), an attorney known for his work on the Warren Commission and Rockefeller Commission. Both men are dressed in formal mid-twentieth-century suits and are positioned in profile facing each other outdoors. Notable features include a vintage microphone stand positioned between them, suggesting a press conference or a televised event. In the background, a large crowd and a body of water are visible, indicating the event took place in a significant public space, possibly in Washington D.C. near the Reflecting Pool. The photograph includes a handwritten inscription in cursive at the bottom margin of the mount which identifies the subjects as 'Carl Stokes and David Belin on the Mall.' To the right of the inscription, there is a signature and dating, seemingly '77' or '79,' suggesting a production date in the late 1970s. The condition appears excellent with crisp contrasts and no visible foxing, silvering, or tears. The craftsmanship of the print demonstrates professional-grade development, with deep blacks and a full range of grey tones suitable for archival preservation.