Marlborough: His Life and Times
Harrap, London, 1933-1938, 1st editions, hardcover. Churchill’s monumental biography of his great ancestor, John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. Thoroughly researched in the family archives at Blenheim Palace, and assisted by several research assistants, this work was published in 4 volumes in 1933, 34, 36, 38 respectively. The first trade edition from Harrap is a lovely deluxe binding. Bound in rich burgundy cloth over bevelled boards, the family arms gilt on front covers, top edges gilt. Books measure 6.25 x 9.25 inches and are nearly 2 inches thick. All four are well illustrated with plates, facsimiles of documents and numerous maps and plans. A first class production which was well received at the time and is highly collectible now. Vol. I is a 2nd printing, the others are 1st printings. Vol I: book has clean covers, deep unfaded spine, bright gilt, brown stain on foredges and foxing, edges uneven, contents clean, no names. Dustwrapper is unclipped, 2nd imp, spine darkened, edge wear and a loss 14 x 12 mm at corner of spine top. Vol II: Book tight, spine unfaded, gilt bright, no names, foredges tanned but no spots. Dustwrapper is unclipped, darkened on spine, heavy edge wear with numerous tears and small losses. Vol III: book has the variant binding with no bevelled boards, more purple than burgundy, edges uneven and well spotted, no names, scattered foxing in text. Dustwrapper is unclipped, tanned on spine, losses at head of spine to 5 mm depth. Vol. IV: Book has variant bind with no bevelled boards, more purple than burgundy, good spine colour, bright gilt, foredges uneven and heavily spotted, scattered foxing within contents, stamp on free endpaper "Zoute Circulating Library". Dustwrapper is unclipped, darkened on spine with a damp stain on lower portion, one inch closed tear at base of spine, cracks at head of spine. (A40aa). Item #14000
Price: $950.00