SOLD. An original American b/w press photograph of the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. –...

Unknown photographer: An original American b/w press photograph of the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (Dr Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz; 1926–2016) visiting the Bronx Zoo, New York in the spring of 1959. Back with telegram shred, United International Pictures stamp and date of publication (May 4th 1959). Furthermore cropping instructions (pencil). Photo size 15×16.5 cm. Frame size 33×43 cm.

Even a revolutionary icon can need an ice cream - and many other edible things, this according to the news telegram on the back of the photograph.

Today many people forget that Fidel Castro, who had taken over power in Cuba in January 1959, was not initially that enemy of the US that he later became. Castro had spent his three months long honeymoon in New York back in 1948 and when he returned as his country's leader in the spring of 1959 he clearly enjoyed the many pleasures of the city. “I know what the world thinks”, he stated during his visit, “that we are communists and of course I have said it very plainly, that we are not communists. Very plainly”.