Alina (1907-1993) and Czeslaw (1904-1994) Centkiewicz, authors of numerous travel books, repeatedly awarded for their work.
Photograph (10.5 x 14.9 cm) pasted on a sheet of 15.5 x 22.4 cm, described at the bottom: Mr. and Mrs. Centkiewicz at work. Verso of the sheet stamp: Gabinet of Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects Gracjan Lepianko Warsaw, Krak.-Przedm. 10.
Good condition: minor soiling and creases, small dampstain on the left. Photograph in good condition - a little scratched and soiled. No handwritten dedication.
Gracjan Lepianko (1905 - 15 May 1991) - a Warsaw restorer who ran the Office for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects for several decades at 10 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street. He graduated from the Schools of Drawing and Painting at 9 Wierzbowa Street, the School of Applied Art at Chmielna Street and the School of Decorative Arts at Myśliwiecka Street, obtaining the title of master decorative painter and master of artistic metal products. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but the financial situation forced him to interrupt his studies and take up a job. He became self-employed in 1931 and changed locations several times(before, 1952, he ended up in Krakowskie Przedmieście). He was passionate about sports, training amateur boxing and wrestling. During World War II, a passion for reviving "dead"/destroyed objects awoke in him. He not only repaired but also collected antiques. After the war he became very popular, there were films about him, mentions in the press and guidebooks. Visited by numerous celebrities(of many fields), who sometimes left commemorative entries.
