- Photograph by
- The White House, founded 1792
- Subject of
- General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
- President Reagan, Ronald, American, 1911 - 2004
- Owned by
- General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
- Date
- April 18, 1988
- Medium
- (a) ink on photographic paper
- (b) wood , glass and cardboard
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (frame): 14 3/4 × 16 3/4 × 1 in. (37.5 × 42.5 × 2.5 cm)
- Caption
- This photograph was inscribed by President Ronald Reagan to Lieutenant General Colin Powell, then serving as the 15th United States National Security Advisor. Powell served under Reagan as Deputy National Security Advisor from 1986 to 1987 and as National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989. This photograph hung in the receiving room of the Powell family's residence in McLean, Virginia.
- Description
- A framed and inscribed photograph of Lt. General Colin L. Powell with President Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office, April 18, 1988. This photograph (a) captures the 15th National Security Advisor, Lt. General Powell, and President Reagan, mid-conversation during a National Security Council meeting on the Persian Gulf. In the brightly lit white Oval Office at the White House, Washington, D.C., both men are seated and wearing dark suits and white shirts. President Reagan is seen in a dotted burgundy necktie with a pen in his proper right hand, and a small paper in his proper left hand. Lt. General Powell wears a dotted dark necktie with his pinstriped suit and holds a white paper in his proper left hand, pointing to it with his proper right hand. He and President Reagan lean forward to examine the contents. A large and ornate fireplace and mantle can be seen behind General Powell, with a green plant just above his head. In the white sheet strip of the photograph is an inscription in black ink that reads: [Dear Colin – If you say so I know it’s right. All the / very best wishes to you and Warm Regards. / Sincerely - Ronald Reagan]. The photograph (a) is set behind a dark grey square window mat designed with a gold double border and is housed inside of a medium red-brown, deep set, wooden frame (b). The reverse of the frame is covered by a light brown craft paper sheet without markings where there are screw-in hanging hooks, and a black hanging wire.
- Place captured
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Photographs and Still Images
- Type
- frames (furnishings)
- photographs
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
- Object number
- A2022.101.1.9ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public Domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




