Signed Postal Cover / Unsigned Photograph

American labor leader; AFL-CIO president (1955-79). Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in New York, NY on 16 August 1973. Near fine. Single 3-cent "Labor Day" stamp and 8-cent flag stamp affixed. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address. NOT a First Day Cover, but a clever admirer had this envelope bearing an appropriate labor-related stamp cancelled in Meany's hometown (New York City) on his birthday (August 16) -- which Meany then signs large and bold in purple fineline on the "sweet spot." Quite nice. Accompanied by a superb and scarce vintage glossy 9" X 7" news agency (International News Photos) photograph. Very good. Slight bit of edgewear. Candid half-length photograph of Meany standing alongside a smiling President Eisenhower. The original, usually-absent mimeographed text (printed on cheap acidic paper) is still present, dated 21 November 1952: "George Meany, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Labor (right) shown as he talked with President-elect Eisenhower at the general's Commodore Hotel headquarters today. Shortly after this conference news broke of the death today of William Green, longtime president of the American Federation of Labor... Meany now looms large as possible candidate to succeed Green as head of the labor organization." An unusual signed cover and a choice desirable photograph.