Marlborough: His Life and Times (Signed by Churchill)
Harrap, London, 1933-1938, 1st editions, 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 beveled 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. Signed and dated Nov 1933 (a month after publication) by Churchill on the endpaper of volume I. Of special interest is the pre-publication dustwrapper on volume I. As sometimes seen on proof copies, the dustwrapper has a price of 30/- instead of the 25 shilling price found on normal published examples. Books are exceptionally crisp and unworn. Vol. I only has scattered spots on the page edges, vols 2-4 have clean even edges. Spines of vols 1-3 have good colour, but not as deep as that of vol. IV as is usually the case. Dustwrappers are all correct firsts; all have darkened spines, Vol. II has lost a one inch square at base of spine, vol. IV has a small 6x8 mm loss at base of spine. (ICS A40aa). Item #36601
Price: $5,500.00