Description

 

Maclean, Donald (1913 – 1983)

An extremely rare original self-portrait, drawn and signed by British spy, Donald Maclean.

Maclean has drawn a detailed portrait of himself in profile, on ‘Union Society, Cambridge’ headed  paper in bold pencil. He adds his signature, ‘Same, Donald Maclean, March 1933’. A central horizontal fold, otherwise in very fine condition. An extraordinary artifact.

During his time as an undergraduate at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, Maclean grew his reputation as a communist. It was during his final year in 1934 — a year after drawing this portrait — that Maclean became a Soviet agent.