Who weould be the photographic copyright holder of a picture taken in
the 1940s for the Daily Sketch UK newspaper, which closerd in 1971.

Dear adidasnev-ga,

At the time of its closure, The Daily Sketch was the sister paper of
the Daily Mail. It was owned by Harmsworth Publications which was a
subsidiary of Associated Newspapers. Associated Newspapers is now part
of Daily Mail and General Trust plc. I believe it is to them you would
have enquire about copyright.

Web site of Daily Mail and General Trust plc.
http://www.dmgt.co.uk/

This links to the Associated Newspapers page.
http://www.dmgt.co.uk/corporatestructure/associatednewspapers/

You will find mention of the Daily Sketch on this history of Associated Newspapers.
http://www.dmgt.co.uk/corporatestructure/associatednewspapers/anexcellence/

Article on the closure of the Daily Sketch 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/low/dates/stories/may/11/newsid_2860000/2860297.stm


You may find these pages useful on the subject of Copyright.
http://www.patent.gov.uk/copy/indetail/ownership.htm
http://www.patent.gov.uk/copy/indetail/basicfacts.htm


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder


Search strategy
Search on the British Library Newspaper web site which gave me
information that it was a sister paper of the Daily Mail.
Then searched "daily mail" "daily sketch" ?associated papers?

gives me somewhere to start enquiries! Many thanks!