Autographed Black & White Photograph Portrait of Juan Perón, for Elizabeth Lewis

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Rare original autographed black and white photograph of Argentinian president Juan Perón, dedicated to Elizabeth Lewis (Bess Huggins Lewis), by … Read more Rare original autographed black and white photograph of Argentinian president Juan Perón, dedicated to Elizabeth Lewis (Bess Huggins Lewis), by an unknown photographer. In this portrait Juan Perón is wearing a black armband to commemorate his wife Eva's death in 1952. Hand written dedication in Spanish reads "Para Elizabeth Lewis, con gran afecto", which translates to "For Elizabeth Lewis, with great affection". Signed "Juan Perón" lower right, and dated March 8, 1954 lower left. From the Estate of Mary Pickford. Displayed in a new off-white mat, mounted on foam board with no frame. Image size: 11.5"H x 9"W. Elizabeth (Bess) Huggins Lewis was Mary Pickford's personal assistant and lifelong friend and travel companion.



Juan Domingo Perón (8 October 1895 – 1 July 1974) was an Argentine Army general and politician. After serving in several government positions, including Minister of Labor and Vice President of a military dictatorship, he was elected President of Argentina three times, serving from June 1946 to September 1955, when he was overthrown by the Revolución Libertadora, and then from October 1973 until his death in July 1974.

During his first presidential term (1946–52), Perón was supported by his second wife, Eva Duarte ("Evita"): they were immensely popular among the Argentine working class. Eva died in 1952, and Perón was elected to a second term, serving from 1952 until 1955. During the following period of two military dictatorships, interrupted by two civilian governments, the Peronist party was outlawed and Perón was exiled. When the left-wing Peronist Héctor José Cámpora was elected President in 1973, Perón returned to Argentina and was soon after elected President for a third time (12 October 1973 – 1 July 1974). His third wife, María Estela Martínez, known as Isabel Perón, was elected as Vice President on his ticket and succeeded him as President upon his death in 1974.

Although they are still controversial figures, Juan and Eva Perón are nonetheless considered icons by the Peronists. The Peróns' followers praised their efforts to eliminate poverty and to dignify labour, while their detractors considered them demagogues and dictators. The Peróns gave their name to the political movement known as Peronism, which in present-day Argentina is represented mainly by the Justicialist Party.

Peronism is a political phenomenon that draws support from both the political left and political right. Peronism is not considered a traditional ideology, but a political movement, because of the wide variety of people who call themselves Peronists, and there is great controversy surrounding his personality. A number of following Argentinian presidents are considered Peronists, including administrations covering a majority of the post-1970 democratic era: Héctor Cámpora, Isabel Perón, Carlos Menem, Adolfo Rodríguez Saá, Eduardo Duhalde, Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Kirchner and Alberto Fernández. See less