Photograph of Fidel Castro, et al. (Signed) by Salas, O[svaldo] - [1959]

n.p., [1959]. Near Fine. Silver gelatin print, 25.5 x 20.5cm (10 x 8 in) of José Ramón Fernández, Fidel Castro, Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, Augusto Martínez Sánchez, and Humberto Sorí Marin. Signed on the rear by Osvaldo Salas, the pre-eminent photographer of the Castro regime. Ramón Fernández was a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces; as commandant in 1961, initially led the forces that ultimately repelled the Bay of Pigs invasion. Castro, of course, was the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces that overthrew Batista's regime in 1959 and led Cuba for over 50 years. Dorticós was the President of Cuba from 1959-1976, installed shortly after the overthrown of Batista, and after the short-lived term of the initial post-revolutionary president. Martínez was a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and later briefly a member of Castro's government, but was ousted in 1964 amidst allegations of corruption. Sorí Marin was also a member of the 26th of July Movement and held a cabinet post in the early government. However, being opposed to Fidel's socialist agenda, he resigned and left for the United States in October 1959 with help from the CIA and returned as a member of the Bay of Pigs invasion, where he was captured, and ultimately executed by firing squad in 1961. The photo is thus likely dated between July and October, 1959. A significant (and slightly ironic) of the presence of both Ramón Fernández and Sorí Marin on opposite sides of the photo, separated by both Castro and Dorticós in the center. Very good with light edgewear, minor soiling to front and moderate to verso with evidence of former glued mounting.