John L. Lewis, 83-year-old one time tycoon of union labor, poses with a portrait of himself presented him in Washington yesterday. Lewis said on viewing the painting "I'd hate on a dark night and in a close place to meet a man of that character." The veteran union leader was honored at a luncheon of the National Coal Policy Conference, a trade organization he founded in 1959. He is retiring as board chairman of the conference.

Photo is dated 1963.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.