Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$75.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Two hardcover volumes. Dark burgundy cloth over boards with gold lettering on the spine. Date on title page is 1927. Volume 1 is 302 pages. Volume 2 is 325 pages. Both are in good condition, and both are in very similar condition. The cloth of the binding is disconnected from the text block but the binding is strong. The covers are rubbed with a few scuffs, and the corners are bumped and frayed. Spines are a bit toned. Page edges are toned. Both volumes have previous owner's bookplate on the front attached endpaper. Pages inside are toned but otherwise clean and unmarked.
Seller: Riverby Books, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A.
Price: US$75.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Volume II only. First U.S. edition. No dust jacket. Fading to gold lettering on spine with two tiny indents. Darkening to top edge of text block. Otherwise a well-preserved copy with the usual tanning to pages and three dog-eared pages, but no ownership marks or inscriptions. All foldout maps, charts and letters present. Binding is holding firm. Not ex-library. s104
Seller: Ethan Daniel Books, Toronto, ON, Canada
Price: US$80.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 326 pp. Original burgundy cloth covers w/ gilt title on spine. Binding lightly soiled and rubbed. Spine a bit sunned. Light foxing to edges of text block. "P. H. Glatfelter Company bookplate on front blank endpaper. Tiny hole to out margin of page 23/24, not affecting any text. Illust. w/ fold-out charts and maps, and b/w maps in text.
Seller: Shoemaker Booksellers, Gettysburg, PA, U.S.A.
Price: US$97.50 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Volume 1 - 302 pages, maps, tables, appendices, fold-out table and two color map of Jutland. Volume 2 - 319 pages plus index, maps, fold-out color map, chart, graph, letters. Both volumes show minor rubbing and shelfwear. No markings.
Seller: DBookmahn's Used and Rare Military Books, Burke, VA, U.S.A.
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis, 1916-1918. Two volumes. NY: Scribner's Sons, 1927.
Price: US$100.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 2 volumes. Scribner, 1927. First editions.Both volumes very good, bright, tight with only very light wear to bindings. WWII collector Sumner Young's copies, with his signature on fep. No other marks. Exceptional value.
Seller: Mythos Center Books, Frontenac, MN, U.S.A.
Price: US$119.65 + shipping
Description: 2 VOL SET, FIRST US EDITION, LACKS D/W, super octavo, maroon buckram boards, gilt lettering to spines, deckled page edges, vol 1- xvi + 302pp, vol 2- x + 325pp, illus/folding maps, VG (moderate scuffing to lower edges, moderate chafing & staining to boards, light tanning to spines, light to moderate tanning & foxing/soiling to page edges, light tanning to eps, varying degrees of cracking to gutters- mostly light, half title page of vol 2 partially detached, light to moderate pencil annotations)
Seller: Hard to Find Books NZ (Internet) Ltd., Dunedin, OTAGO, New Zealand
Price: US$120.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Very Good condition. Maps and charts in excellent shape and all present, EXCEPT FOR Volume II, the chart opposite page 88 (Comparison Between Losses and Output of Merchant Shipbuilding) is missing.; 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall
Seller: Henniker Book Farm and Gifts, Henniker, NH, U.S.A.
Churchill, Winston S. The World Crisis 1916-1918. Part II.. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1927.
Price: US$125.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the second volume in the Part III of Churchill's The World Crisis. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with numerous maps (many folding), charts, facsimiles, photographs. In very good condition, errata slip, name to the front free endpaper. Churchill's American biographer William Manchester purported The World Crisis to be Churchill's masterpiece. The work was published over a period of eight years, resulting in a final six-volume, 3,261-page account of the Great War, beginning with its origins in 1911 and ending with its repercussions in the 1920s. Magnificently written, it is enhanced by the presence of the author at the highest councils of war and in the trenches as a battalion commander. In agreement with Manchester, British historian Robert Rhodes James wrote of the work: For all its pitfalls as history, The World Crisis must surely stand as Churchills masterpiece. As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Churchill stood resolute at the center of international affairs. In this classic account, he dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Churchill vividly recounts the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, the naval maneuvers off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of airplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow. "The World Crisis is at once an outstandingly readable history of the First World War -- the seminal drama of modern times -- and an eyewitness account, especially of its opening years. Whether as a statesman or an author, Churchill was a giant; and The World Crisis towers over most other books about the Great War" (David Fromkin). This comprehensive account of the War is both analytical and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill suggested this work was "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War'; T. E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, 1915, as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read."
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Churchill, Winston. World Crisis: 1916-1918. Volume II.. Scribners, 1927., 1927.
Price: US$194.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Later printing. 325p. Folding maps. Russet brown cloth. Spine slightly sunned. Near Fine Copy
Seller: Military Books, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis; 1911-1918 In Four Volumes. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1927.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Four Volumes; publication dates range from 1924-1927. Burgundy cloth covered boards with gold titles; wear to edges and covers, a bit heavier at corners and spine ends; 8vo - over 7 3/4" to 9 3/4" tall; no jackets. Previous owner's name on free front endpaper of all volumes; pages toned; gutter cracked at half title page of third volume with webbing exposed; interiors are clean and unmarked;578, 589, 302, and 325 pages. Additional shipping charges may be required due to the size and weight of books. Photos available upon request.
Seller: A Squared Books (Don Dewhirst), South Lyon, MI, U.S.A.
Churchill, Winston S.. The World Crisis; 1916-1918. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1927.
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Octavo, [two volumes], xvi, [2], 302pp; x, [2], 325pp, [5]. Publisher's original paper wrappers, title on label affixed to spine, title and publication details on the front cover of each volume. Scribner's Seal on copyright page of both volumes. Soiling to spines, general wear to paper wraps. Includes 23 full-page and fold-out maps, charts and diagrams. Two maps in color. Text block is sound, with the occasional pencil mark and notation. (Woods A31a) (Cohen A69.1[III-2].a). An exceptionally scarce copy of this work. Advance Reading Copy / First American Edition.
Seller: The First Edition Rare Books, LLC, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed first edition, first printing set of the third and fourth volumes of Winston Churchill's monumental history of The First World War. A quarter of a century before the Second World War endowed him with lasting fame, Winston Churchill played a uniquely critical, controversial, and varied role in the "War to end all wars". Then, being Churchill, he wrote about it.The World Crisis was originally published in six volumes between 1923 and 1931, with the first four volumes spanning the war years 1911-1918 and the final two volumes covering the postwar years 1918-1928 (The Aftermath) and the Eastern theatre (The Eastern Front). These U.S. first edition 1916-1918 volumes were published as a pair, subtitled respectively "Volume I" and "Volume II". The events of the 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front, his return to the Cabinet, and Armistice Day, marking the formal end of hostilities. Unusual among Churchills many published books, the U.S. first edition of The World Crisis initially preceded the British, making it the true first edition. Unfortunately, the russet cloth of the U.S. first edition, particularly that of the first volume, proved quite susceptible to spine toning in the absence of the original dust jackets - which, of course, are elusive.Here is a pair, fine and near fine respectively, in very good plus dust jackets. The bindings remain bright and clean as only jacketed copies are. The sole exterior defect we find is a little mottling/faint discoloration of the cloth at the upper and lower edges of the Part II covers. Shelf presentation of both volume spines is nearly flawless. The contents of both volumes are quite clean, crisp and bright with no spotting. The sole previous ownership mark we find is "Gerald E. Hatton | Toronto" ink-stamped in red at the upper left of the Volume I half-title. Both dust jackets are unclipped, retaining the original "$10.00 Two Volumes" front flap prices and substantially complete, lightly toned and soiled with only fractional loss at the upper spines and the bottom edge of the Volume II rear face. Both jackets are now protected beneath removable, clear, archival covers.In October 1911, aged 36, Winston Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. He entered the post with the brief to change war strategy and ensure the readiness of the worlds most powerful navy. He did both. Even Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener, with whom Churchill had been variously at odds for nearly two decades, told Churchill on his final day as First Lord "Well, there is one thing at any rate they cannot take from you. The Fleet was ready." (The World Crisis: 1915, p.391) Nonetheless, when Churchill advocated successfully for a naval campaign in the Dardanelles that ultimately proved disastrous, a convergence of factors sealed his political fate. Churchill was scapegoated and forced to resign, leaving the Admiralty in May 1915. Years later, Churchills wife, Clementine, recalled to Churchills official biographer "I thought he would never get over the Dardanelles; I thought he would die of grief." (Gilbert, Vol. III, p.473)By November, Churchill resigned even his nominal Cabinet posts to spend the rest of his political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches at the Front. Before war's end, Churchill was exonerated by the Dardanelles Commission and rejoined the Government, foreshadowing the political isolation and restoration he would experience two decades later leading up to the Second World War. And, of course, Churchill famously returned to the Admiralty in September 1939. Despite Churchill's political recovery, the stigma of the Dardanelles lingered. Hence Churchill had more than just literary and financial compulsion to write his history.References: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.103.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1450.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed U.S. first edition set of the 1916-1918 volumes of The World Crisis, Churchill's acclaimed history of the First World War. A quarter of a century before the Second World War endowed him with lasting fame, Winston Churchill played a uniquely critical, controversial, and varied role in the "War to end all wars". The events of these 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front following his political exile and his subsequent return to the Cabinet. The U.S. is the true first edition, as U.S. Volume I publication preceded the British. Jacketed first editions are quite scarce - jacketed U.S. editions even more so.Charles Scribner's Sons originally issued the 1916-1918 volumes as a two-volume set. This set is very good plus in very good dust jackets. The bindings are extremely clean, marked only by slight dulling to the bottom edges of the spines. The contents are clean and tight with no ownership marks. The untrimmed fore edges show the usual age-toning and the top edge shows some soiling and light spotting. Both dust jackets are unclipped, still bearing the "$10.00 Two Volumes" price on the front flaps. The front and rear faces of the Volume I jacket are clean and complete with just light age toning and minor wear at the corners. The Volume I jacket spine is toned with fractional chipping at the spine head and chipping to a maximum .375 inch depth at the tail. The Volume II dust jacket rear face is clean and complete with just a hint of age toning and minor wear at the corners. The front face of the dust jacket is slightly more toned (likely due to transfer browning from the slipcase in which it was originally issued), bears a few tiny dark spots, and has three .125 inch chips along the top edge (likely where the jacket long ago caught on the aforementioned slipcase). The Volume II jacket spine is toned with a .125 inch loss at the head of the spine, fractional loss at the spine tail, and a .125 inch hole along the lower third of the rear hinge. Of note, the spine losses are small enough that the black rules at the head and tail remain intact. Both dust jackets are fitted with removable, archival quality clear covers. Published between 1923 and 1931, The World Crisis spans the 1911-1918 war years, with two supplemental volumes covering the postwar years 1918-1928 (The Aftermath) and the Eastern theatre (The Eastern Front). Of The World Crisis, Frederick Woods wrote: "The volumes contain some of Churchill's finest writing, weaving the many threads together with majestic ease, describing the massive battles in terms which fitly combine relish of the literary challenge with an awareness of the sombre tragedy of the events." Churchill was in a special position to write this history, having served both in the Cabinet and on the Front. Churchill served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 until 1915, but after the failure in the Dardanelles, he was scapegoated and forced to resign. He spent his political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches.Before the war's end, Churchill was exonerated and rejoined the Government, foreshadowing the political isolation and restoration he would experience nearly two decades later leading up to the Second World War. Despite Churchill's political recovery, the stigma of the Dardanelles would linger. Churchill may have meant for his history of the First World War to clear his name, but his six-volume masterwork far exceeds this purpose.Reference: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.103.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed first edition, first printing set of the third and fourth volumes of Winston Churchill's monumental history of The First World War. A quarter of a century before the Second World War endowed him with lasting fame, Winston Churchill played a uniquely critical, controversial, and varied role in the "War to end all wars". Then, being Churchill, he wrote about it.The World Crisis was originally published in six volumes between 1923 and 1931, with the first four volumes spanning the war years 1911-1918 and the final two volumes covering the postwar years 1918-1928 (The Aftermath) and the Eastern theatre (The Eastern Front). These U.S. first edition 1916-1918 volumes were published as a pair, subtitled respectively "Volume I" and "Volume II". The events of the 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front, his return to the Cabinet, and Armistice Day, marking the formal end of hostilities. Unusual among Churchills many published books, the U.S. first edition of The World Crisis initially preceded the British, making it the true first edition. Unfortunately, the russet cloth of the U.S. first edition, particularly that of the first volume, proved quite susceptible to spine toning in the absence of the original dust jackets - which, of course, are elusive.Here is a pair, near fine in very good dust jackets. The bindings are square, clean, tight, and strikingly bright. Apart from trivial wrinkling to the spine ends and perhaps a hint of shelf wear to extremities we note only small bumps to the Vol. I upper front cover and Volume II upper rear cover, and a faint touch of wrinkling to the Vol. II front cover cloth that appears to be an artefact of the binding process. The contents are crisp and clean with no spotting and no previous ownership marks. Even the untrimmed fore edges are clean. The dust jackets are both unclipped, retaining the "10.00 Two Volumes" price on each upper front flap. Both jackets are lightly soiled overall, with shallow loss at the spine heads, both spines evenly toned and mildly stained, the Vol. I jacket with a circular abrasion in the blank upper spine interval between the subtitle and authors name. The jackets are each protected beneath removable, clear, archival covers.In October 1911, aged 36, Winston Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. He entered the post with the brief to change war strategy and ensure the readiness of the worlds most powerful navy. He did both. Even Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener, with whom Churchill had been variously at odds for nearly two decades, told Churchill on his final day as First Lord "Well, there is one thing at any rate they cannot take from you. The Fleet was ready." (The World Crisis: 1915, p.391) Nonetheless, when Churchill advocated successfully for a naval campaign in the Dardanelles that ultimately proved disastrous, a convergence of factors sealed his political fate. Churchill was scapegoated and forced to resign, leaving the Admiralty in May 1915. Years later, Churchills wife, Clementine, recalled to Churchills official biographer "I thought he would never get over the Dardanelles; I thought he would die of grief." (Gilbert, Vol. III, p.473)By November, Churchill resigned even his nominal Cabinet posts to spend the rest of his political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches at the Front. Before war's end, Churchill was exonerated by the Dardanelles Commission and rejoined the Government, foreshadowing the political isolation and restoration he would experience two decades later leading up to the Second World War. And, of course, Churchill famously returned to the Admiralty in September 1939. Despite Churchill's political recovery, the stigma of the Dardanelles lingered. Hence Churchill had more than just literary and financial compulsion to write his history.References: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.103.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$2000.00 + shipping
Description: This is a superior, jacketed U.S. first edition set of the 1916-1918 volumes of The World Crisis, Churchill's acclaimed history of the First World War. A quarter of a century before the Second World War endowed him with lasting fame, Winston Churchill played a uniquely critical, controversial, and varied role in the "War to end all wars". The events of these 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front following his political exile and his subsequent return to the Cabinet. The U.S. is the true first edition, as U.S. Volume I publication preceded the British. Jacketed first editions are quite scarce - jacketed U.S. editions even more so.Charles Scribner's Sons originally issued the 1916-1918 volumes as a two-volume set. This set is in excellent condition, near fine in near fine dust jackets. The maroon, ribbed cloth bindings are simply immaculate as only jacketed copies can be - vividly bright, perfectly square, and showing no discernible wear. The contents remain crisp and bright and feel unread, with no previous ownership marks and no age-toning. The sole minor detraction that prevents our grading the volumes as truly fine is modest spotting to the page edges, mostly confined to the top edges. The dust jackets are entirely complete, with no losses or tears and retaining the original "$10.00 | Two Volumes" front flap prices. The jackets show light soiling, and even toning to the spines. Both dust jackets are protected with removable, archival quality clear covers.Published between 1923 and 1931, The World Crisis spans the 1911-1918 war years, with two supplemental volumes covering the postwar years 1918-1928 (The Aftermath) and the Eastern theatre (The Eastern Front). Of The World Crisis, Frederick Woods wrote: "The volumes contain some of Churchill's finest writing, weaving the many threads together with majestic ease, describing the massive battles in terms which fitly combine relish of the literary challenge with an awareness of the sombre tragedy of the events."Churchill was in a special position to write this history, having served both in the Cabinet and on the Front. Churchill served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 until 1915, but after the failure in the Dardanelles, he was scapegoated and forced to resign. He spent his political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches. Before the war's end, Churchill was exonerated and rejoined the Government, foreshadowing the political isolation and restoration he would experience nearly two decades later leading up to the Second World War. Despite Churchill's political recovery, the stigma of the Dardanelles would linger. Churchill may have meant for his history of the First World War to clear his name, but his six-volume masterwork far exceeds this purpose.Reference: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.103.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$2200.00 + shipping
Description: This rarity is a jacketed U.S. first edition set of the 1916-1918 volumes of Churchill's The World Crisis in the original publisher's slipcase. The events of these 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front following his political exile and his subsequent return to the Cabinet. This set features strikingly fine volumes in near fine dust jackets in a slipcase that is missing the blank top panel.The bindings and contents of the two volumes are pristine as only unread sets that have spent life jacketed and slipcased can be. The jackets are complete, with no loss or tears. The jacket spines are mildly stained and toned, but nonetheless present quite well on the shelf. Of interest, the verso of the Volume I rear dust jacket flap bears original bookseller pencil notation, including "5 May 1927 | J. W. Robinson Co | $10.00". The note is dated just two months after publication, mirroring the original publishers price on the front flap. Moreover, the bookseller notation matches the sole previous ownership mark we find in the volumes small bookseller stickers of "J. W. Robinson Co" affixed to each upper rear pastedown, each with the printed price "$10.00 | 2 VOLS" The dust jackets are protected beneath removable, archival quality clear covers. The slipcase is surprisingly clean and presentable, with only modest wear and soiling. The missing blank upper slipcase panel is a collectors gain, causing us to offer the set at a considerably lower price than a fully intact slipcase would command.The World Crisis is Winston Churchill's epic history of the First World War, in which he played such a critical, controversial, and varied role, nearly losing both his political career and his corporeal life in the process. Churchill was in a special position to write this history, having served both in the Cabinet and on the Front. First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 until 1915, after the failure in the Dardanelles and the slaughter at Gallipoli, Churchill was scapegoated and forced to resign. He spent political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches. Before war's end, Churchill was exonerated and rejoined the Government, but the stigma would linger. Churchill may have meant for his history of the First World War to clear his name, but his work far exceeds this purpose.Both the U.S. and British editions were originally published as six individual volumes between 1923 and 1931. The U.S. is the true first edition, as U.S. Volume I publication preceded the British. Today, jacketed first editions are quite scarce - jacketed U.S. editions even more so. Scarcer still is the original U.S. publisher's slipcase for the 1916-1918 first editions; Charles Scribner's Sons originally issued the two 1916-1918 volumes as a boxed set in a cardboard slipcase. Of the few surviving slipcases we have seen, some have three pasted labels. A large, 8.25 x 5.75 inch label printed dark red on ivory on the right side of the slipcase bears an extensive blurb about Churchill and the work. A smaller label on the upper spine of the slipcase, likewise printed dark red on ivory, measures 4 x 3.25 inches and bears the title, author, and publisher. A bright orange promotional label on the lower portion of the slipcase spine measuring 3.75 x 3 inches bears black ink print advertising Churchill's preceding World Crisis volumes. This slipcase lacks the third, orange, promotional label, possibly indicating an earlier issuance.Reference: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.104.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Churchill, Winston S. The World Crisis 1916-1918.. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1927.
Price: US$3200.00 + shipping
Description: True first editions of the first two volumes of Churchill's The World Crisis. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with numerous maps (many folding), charts, facsimiles, photographs. Near fine in the rare original dust jackets with light wear. His American biographer William Manchester wrote that: His masterpiece is The World Crisis, published over a period of several years, 1923 to 1931, a six-volume, 3,261-page account of the Great War, beginning with its origins in 1911 and ending with its repercussions in the 1920s. Magnificently written, it is enhanced by the presence of the author at the highest councils of war and in the trenches as a battalion commander. The British historian Robert Rhodes James wrote that: For all its pitfalls as history, The World Crisis must surely stand as Churchills masterpiece.As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Churchill stood resolute at the center of international affairs. In this classic account, he dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Churchill vividly recounts the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, the naval maneuvers off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of airplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow. "The World Crisis is at once an outstandingly readable history of the First World War -- the seminal drama of modern times -- and an eyewitness account, especially of its opening years. Whether as a statesman or an author, Churchill was a giant; and The World Crisis towers over most other books about the Great War" (David Fromkin). This comprehensive account of the War is both analytical and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill suggested this work was "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War'; T. E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, 1915, as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read."
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Price: US$3600.00 + shipping
Description: This is a spectacular, jacketed U.S. first edition set of the 1916-1918 volumes of Churchill's The World Crisis in the rare original publisher's slipcase. A quarter of a century before the Second World War endowed him with lasting fame, Winston Churchill played a uniquely critical, controversial, and varied role in the "War to end all wars". The events of these 1916-1918 volumes include Churchill's time at the Front following his political exile and his subsequent return to the Cabinet.The U.S. is the true first edition, as U.S. Volume I publication preceded the British. Both the U.S. and British editions were originally published as six individual books between 1923 and 1931. Today, jacketed first editions are quite scarce - jacketed U.S. editions even more so. Perhaps most scarce is the original U.S. publisher's slipcase for the 1916-1918 first editions; Charles Scribner's Sons originally issued the two 1916-1918 volumes as a boxed set.The cardboard slipcase bears three pasted labels. A large, 8.25 x 5.75 inch label printed dark red on ivory on the right side of the slipcase bears an extensive blurb about Churchill and the work. A smaller label on the upper spine of the slipcase, likewise printed dark red on ivory, measures 4 x 3.25 inches and bears the title, author, and publisher. A bright orange label on the lower portion of the slipcase spine measuring 3.75 x 3 inches bears black ink print advertising Churchill's preceding World Crisis volumes.Here is an absolutely pristine, as new first edition set of the 1916-1918 volumes in fine dust jackets, housed in the original publisher's slipcase. The books themselves are as-new. The bindings are immaculate and improbably bright, with absolutely no wear or flaws to report. The contents are likewise pristine - unreservedly crisp, bright, and clean. The books are clearly unread and appear in virtually the same condition as when they were issued in 1927. We note only a tiny Boston bookseller sticker on the lower left front free endpaper of each volume. The dust jackets are truly fine examples, entirely complete with no losses or tears and retaining the "$10.00 Two Volumes" price on the front flap. Trivial flaws are limited to slight toning to the jacket spines, a hint of wear at the spine ends, and a faint one inch scratch to the Volume II lower spine. We have fitted both dust jackets with removable, archival quality clear covers.The original publisher's slipcase has done its job protecting the spectacular books and dust jackets within, but has endured some expected age and wear in the process. Nonetheless, the slipcase is entirely complete and still in one piece, with all three publisher's labels fully intact. Six of the eight seams are intact; only the short upper and lower horizontal seams at the back of the slipcase are split. There is wear at the opening edges, fraying at the split upper and lower rear seams, and light overall soiling. The slipcase is original and unrestored, but the seam splits are easily repaired with archival tape, at which point the slipcase will regain structural integrity.The six volumes of The World Crisis span the 1911-1918 war years, including two supplemental volumes covering the postwar years 1918-1928 (The Aftermath) and the Eastern theatre (The Eastern Front). Churchill was in a special position to write this history, having served both in the Cabinet and on the Front. Churchill served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 until 1915, but after the failure in the Dardanelles, he was scapegoated and forced to resign. He spent his political exile as a lieutenant colonel leading a battalion in the trenches. Before the war's end, Churchill was exonerated and rejoined the Government, foreshadowing the political isolation and restoration he would experience nearly two decades later leading up to the Second World War.Reference: Cohen A69.1(III-1&2).a, Woods/ICS A31(aa), Langworth p.104
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.