Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Churchill, Winston S.. The World Crisis 1911-1914. Thornton Butterworth, London, 1923.
Price: US$35.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Third edition November 1923. Some light rubbing to the spine tips and light foxing to the closed page edges and prelims. Small pen name.
Seller: The Secret Bookshop, Tararua, New Zealand
Price: US$49.59 + shipping
Description: Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat dulled and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; 536 p. : ill, facs, maps (part fold.) ; 23 cm. Notes; Includes index. Subjects; World War, 1914-1918. World war, 1914-1918 Great Britain. World politics 1900-1918. Reconstruction (1914-1939). World War, 1914-1918 Causes. World War, 1914-1918 Naval operations, British. World Politics. World History. World War I. History. 20th Century. Political biography England 1923. England, political biography 1923. International history 1923. Europe. Great Britain. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
Price: US$64.00 + shipping
Description: Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat dulled and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; 536 p. : ill, facs, maps (part fold.) ; 23 cm. Notes; Includes index. Subjects; World War, 1914-1918. World war, 1914-1918 Great Britain. World politics 1900-1918. Reconstruction (1914-1939). World War, 1914-1918 Causes. World War, 1914-1918 Naval operations, British. World Politics. World History. World War I. History. 20th Century. Political biography England 1923. England, political biography 1923. International history 1923. Europe. Great Britain. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
The Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill. The World Crsis 1915. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$65.20 + shipping
Condition: Fair
Description: Spine Dented/Frayed At Ends And Also Frayed Along Board Joins. Front Board Slightly Loose Towards Base. Boards A Little Frayed At Edges With Denting/Fraying To Board Corners.Bar Previous Owners Signature Within All Pages Clean And Bound
Seller: Stirling Books, Stirling, United Kingdom
Price: US$96.24 + shipping
Description: hardback, large 8vo, (vi),536pp, 6 maps, 2 facsimiles, page edges browning, slight foxing on prelims, text clean and binding sound, publisher's blue cloth, gilt spine titles, corners and spine ends rubbed, Good condition / no dustwrapper
Seller: BRIMSTONES, Lewes, United Kingdom
Churchill Winston S.. The World Crisis 1911-1914. London: Thornton Butterworth Limited, 1923.
Price: US$100.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 536 pp, first four pages lightly foxed, Second edition April 1923 of first also April 1923. Six foldout maps
Seller: footnotes, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
CHURCHILL, The Rt, Hon. WINSTON S.. The World Crisis 1915. Thornton Butterworth 1923, 1923.
Price: US$106.99 + shipping
Description: FIRST EDITION, super octavo, blue buckram boards, gilt lettering to spine, blind lettering to front board, 557pp, folding maps, VG (moderate bruising & scuffing to spine & extrems, moderate chafing & light soiling to boards, moderate tanning & foxing to page edges & eps, sm ink markings to ffep, light to moderate tanning & foxing to prelims & terminals, minor archival repair to pgs 531-33)
Seller: Hard to Find Books NZ (Internet) Ltd., Dunedin, OTAGO, New Zealand
Churchill, Winston S.. The World Crisis 1911-1914. Thornton, Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$128.33 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Rebound with red leather boards marbled paper pasted to front and back cover, new marbled end-papers, 536pp, b&w and coloured maps some fold out, edges darkened and light foxing throughout, otherwise a handsome first edition.
Seller: Scrivener's Books and Bookbinding, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Churchill, Winston S.. The World Crisis 1911-1914. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$133.84 + shipping
Description: Large octavo size [16x24cm approx]. Very Good condition. Spine ends and corners a little rubbed. Some offset to free endpapers. 2 plates and 6 maps - 5 fold-outs. Preface by the author. Five Appendices. Appendix A: Naval Staff Training; Appendix B: Tables of Fleet Strength; Appendix C: Trade Protection; Appendix D: Mining; Appendix E: First Lord's Minutes. Includes Index. 536 pages. The first book in Churchill's magisterial account of World War One. Actually starts in 1870, setting up the background to the War. Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 - 1915. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels.
Seller: Adelaide Booksellers, Clarence Gardens, SA, Australia
Price: US$183.41 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Navy blue cloth on boards with gilt titles; moderate rubbed wear. Spine: light vertical convex bulges down spine; head & foot with light rubbings & cracks. Edges: moderate foxings and soiling .Eps: age shadowings & few only sprinkles of foxings. Faint foxings to a few pages margins. Binding is As New. 536p
Seller: BOOKMARK, Auckland, New Zealand
Price: US$192.86 + shipping
Description: Good copies only in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat bumped and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; 2 volumes : illustrations, maps, facsimile ; 24 cm. Contents; Vol. 1 1911-1914 -- Vol. 2 1915. Subjects; Reconstruction (1914-1939). World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. World politics. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
Churchill, Winston S.. The World Crisis 1915. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$217.49 + shipping
Description: Large octavo size [16x24cm approx]. Very Good condition. Spine ends and corners a little rubbed, some very mild rubbing to covers. 1 plates and 7 maps - 5 fold-outs. Preface by the author. Three Appendices. Appendix I: Admiralty Orders for the Attack on the Dardanelles; Appendix II: The State of the Navy, May 1915; Appendix III: First Lord's Minutes. Includes Index. 536 pages. The second book in Churchill's magisterial account of World War One Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 - 1915 and this volume includes his account of the Dardanelles Campaign and Gallipoli. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels.
Seller: Adelaide Booksellers, Clarence Gardens, SA, Australia
Price: US$220.00 + shipping
Description: Good copies only in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat bumped and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; 2 volumes : illustrations, maps, facsimile ; 24 cm. Contents; Vol. 1 1911-1914 -- Vol. 2 1915. Subjects; Reconstruction (1914-1939). World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. World politics. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$247.97 + shipping
Description: Good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat bumped and rubbed as with age. Boards stained. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description: 536 pages. Subjects: World War, 1914-1918. World War, 1914-1918 Causes.World politics 20th centuryWorld War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis: 1911-1914. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Description: This is the British first edition, first printing, of the first volume 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). This first volume (1911-1914) covers the first four years Churchill spent as First Lord of the Admiralty, as well as the beginning of the war. Though the U.S. first edition of The World Crisis preceded the British, many consider the British edition aesthetically superior, with its larger volumes and shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page. Unfortunately, the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear, the contents prone to spotting and toning. This is a very good overall copy of the first volume, suitable for populating a British first edition set. The blue cloth binding retains superior shelf presentation, with a nicely rounded spine and bright spine gilt, and the binding remains square with sharp corners. We note minor scuffing to the lower front cover, light wear to extremities and the lower rear hinge, and just a hint of outward warp to the front cover fore edge. We find no previous ownership marks apart from a tiny, vintage Croydon booksellers sticker affixed to the lower left rear pastedown. Spotting is noted to the page edges and prelims, only occasionally intruding into the blank inner margins of the balance of the text. The errata slip at page 1 confirms second state of the first printing. 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 1915, 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 A69.2(I).b, Woods/ICS A31(ab), Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$280.00 + shipping
Description: Good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat bumped and rubbed as with age. Boards stained. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description: 536 pages. Subjects: World War, 1914-1918. World War, 1914-1918 Causes.World politics 20th centuryWorld War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. 1 Kg.
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$300.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: 536pp.incl.index; HB dk.blue emboss w/gilt; some rub w/wear on edges&corners; PON; some lt.tan w/clean,tight pgs. Volume I of Churchill's 5 volume history of WWI
Seller: Xochi's Bookstore & Gallery, truth or consequences, NM, U.S.A.
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis 2 volumes 1911-1914 & 1915. Thornton Butterworth, 1923.
Price: US$337.50 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 1st print on both books blue boards very tight
Seller: Arader Galleries of Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis 1911-1914. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$411.93 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 990 grams.
Seller: Book Souk, Porstoy, United Kingdom
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis: 1915. Thornton Butterworth, Ltd., London, 1923.
Price: US$550.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed British first edition, fourth printing of the second volume of 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). In this 1915 volume Churchill provides his perspective on the disastrous Dardanelles offensive. This fourth printing of December 1923 (erroneously designated "Second Edition" on the copyright page), was published less than two months after the first printing. Of note, the dust jacket for this fourth printing is identical to that of the first printing, as is the blue cloth bindingThe British edition of The World Crisis is aesthetically commanding, its large volumes with shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page. Unfortunately, the original dust jackets are quite scarce and the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear, the contents prone to spotting and toning.Condition of this copy is very good plus in a very good dust jacket. The navy cloth binding is square, tight, immaculately clean and beautifully bright with sharp corners and vivid spine gilt. The contents retain a crisp feel. We find no previous ownership marks. Differential toning to the endpapers corresponding to dust jacket flaps confirms what the binding already testifies that this copy has spent life jacketed. Spotting is primarily confined to the first and final leaves and page edges. Of note, laid in we found a contemporary advert raising funds for a "Soldiers Chapel" in Essex, the advert "Reprinted from The Essex Chronicle of April 15th, 1927." The dust jacket is complete and bright, with only mild spine toning, light wear to extremities, and incidental soiling. We would grade this jacket as near fine if not for a moisture stain affecting the upper three inches (7.6 cm) of the jacket spine. The dust jacket is protected beneath a clear, removable, archival cover. 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. 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. 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.Reference: Cohen A69.2(II).d, Woods/ICS A31(ab), Langworth p.105.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Sir Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Butterworth, London, 1923.
Price: US$600.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923. Hardcover. First edition, first printing. This is a full British first edition, first printing set of Winston Churchill’s history of the First World War. in five volumes lacking the final volume on the Eastern Front. Churchill played a critical, controversial, and varied role in the First World War and his remarkable experience underpins his epic, six-volume history of the conflict, published between 1923 and 1931. With its larger volumes and shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page, many consider the British edition aesthetically superior to the American. Unfortunately, the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear
Seller: Hirschfeld Galleries, Saint Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Churchill (Winston S.). The World Crisis, 1911-1914.. Thornton Butterworth, 1923.
Price: US$641.63 + shipping
Description: FIRST EDITION, the errata slip present but not tipped in, 5 folding maps, further map and 2 facsimile plates, a smattering of faint spots to the Index and a couple of pages with a few spots to page-heads, pp. [vi], 536, 8vo, original navy blue cloth, lettered in blind to the upper board, backstrip lettered in gilt, a short split to cloth at foot of upper joint and a touch of rubbing to extremities, one corner knocked, edges spotted, faint partial browning to free endpapers, dustjacket from a later edition, browned, a little frayed with section of loss to foot of backstrip panel (a 2-inch square, this present but detached), split at upper joint-fold, good. The opening volume of one of the author's major works - uncommon in the dustjacket. (Woods A31(a))
Seller: Blackwell's Rare Books ABA ILAB BA, Oxford, United Kingdom
CHURCHILL, WINSTON S.. The World Crissi. Thornton Butterworth, London, 1923.
Price: US$676.41 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 8vo. Six (6) volumes in gilt lettered navy cloth. Published from 1923 to 1931. Ex Libris from the Royal Automobile Club library with stamps in each volume. Some hinges broken. Some with book plates. Some bubbling to cloth. Wear to extremities. Maps and Illsutrations. A good working set.
Seller: Karol Krysik Books ABAC/ILAB, IOBA, PBFA, Toronto, ON, Canada
Price: US$737.88 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: EARLY REPRINT SET. 6 volumes, complete. Large 8vo (9.3 x 6.3 inches). Contains several maps, plans and facsimiles of letters and documents, many folding. Some foxing to the fore-edge and first and last few leaves of the first volume otherwise this is a very good, bright set internally. Publishers dark blue cloth bindings with blind ruling and lettering to front boards. Spines lettered in gilt. Front boards ruled and lettered in blind. Previous owners neat pencilled name on the front free endpaper in volume 1. Cloth to volume one shows some white speckling to the boards and the edges are bumped and rubbed. Some bubbling to the cloth on volume five. The gilt lettering is bright on all six volumes. Overall a very good set of Churchill?s major history of the Great War. --- Vol. 1. is second edition, 2nd impression, 1923. -- Vol.2. is second impression, 1923. -- Vols 3 and 4 are second impressions, 1927. -- Volume 5 is second impression, 1929. -- Vol. 6, The Unknown War. The eastern Front, is actually the remaining 600 sheets of the First edition of 1931, bought by Macmillan when the original publisher Thornton Butterworth closed in 1940 and issued with a cancel title page in 1941.
Seller: Paul Foster. - ABA & PBFA Member., London, United Kingdom
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis: 1911-1914. Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1923.
Price: US$750.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed British first edition, fourth printing of the first volume of the Churchill's monumental history of the First World War, in which he played such a critical, controversial, and varied role. This volume covers the first four years Churchill spent as First Lord of the Admiralty, as well as the beginning of the war. This fourth printing was issued in the same year (seven months later) as the first printing and is nearly identical. The binding is distinguished only by the presence of a gilt star on the spine denoting the volume number. The only substantial difference in content is title page verso notation notation of preceding printings. The dust jacket is printed on identical paper with identical spine, front face, and front flap print, differing only in rear face and rear flap print. Condition is excellent, near fine in a dust jacket that approaches near fine. The navy binding is simply magnificent square, tight, and improbably bright and clean with sharp corners, vivid spine gilt, and no appreciable wear or scuffing. The contents remain bright and crisp; the book feels unread. Only spotting prevents our grading this copy as "fine", relatively heavy to the page edges, but within substantially confined to the first and final few leaves with only occasional small intrusions into blank inner margins. A single previous owner name is written in pencil on the front free endpaper recto. The endpapers show differential toning corresponding to the dust jacket flaps, confirming that this copy has spent life jacketed. The dust jacket is strikingly well-preserved, complete with no loss. We note only minor wear and a few minimal closed tears to extremities. The faces and flaps are remarkably bright, retaining the original distinctively greenish hue. The impressive shelf presentation of the jacket spine is not significantly affected by mild, uniform toning. Some light staining is confined to the rear face. The dust jacket is protected beneath a removable, archival quality clear cover. This fourth printing is erroneously designated the "third edition" on the title page verso. Churchills bibliographer Ronald I. Cohen [A69.2(1).f] correctly designates this as first edition, fourth printing, following the second and third printings and without sufficient changes in content or appearance to constitute a new edition. Published in six volumes 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 " 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. Many consider the British edition aesthetically superior to the U.S., with its larger volumes and shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page. Unfortunately, the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear, the contents prone to spotting and toning. This copy is an exception. Bibliographic reference: Cohen A69.2(I).f, Woods/ICS A31(ab), Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
CHURCHILL, Winston S.. The world crisis (vols. 1-5). Thornton Butterworth, 1923.
Price: US$802.04 + shipping
Description: First 5 volumes. Vols. 1 & 2 reprints, 1927. Vols. 3-5 first editions (1927/1927/1929). All have a little foxing on page edges, owner's bookplate on front pastedowns, browned free endpapers, light wear to cloth. Bright gilt lettering on spines. This is a heavy set (about 4.4 kg packed); additional postage may be required. Used - Good. Good hardbacks (no dust jackets)
Seller: Cotswold Internet Books, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Winston S. Churchill. The World Crisis: 1915. Thornton Butterworth, Ltd., London, 1923.
Price: US$850.00 + shipping
Description: This is a jacketed British first edition, fourth printing of the first volume of 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". In this volume Churchill provides his perspective on the disastrous Dardanelles offensive. This fourth printing of December 1923, was published less than two months after the first printing. Of note to collectors, the dust jacket for this fourth printing is identical to that of the first printing, as is the blue cloth binding. Though the U.S. first edition of The World Crisis preceded the British, many consider the British edition aesthetically superior, with its larger volumes and shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page. Unfortunately, the original dust jackets are quite scarce and the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear, the contents prone to spotting and toning. Condition of this copy is very good in a very good dust jacket. The blue cloth binding is beautifully clean, bright, and tight with vivid spine gilt and only minor corner bumps and light wear to extremities. The contents show no previous ownership marks and differential toning to the endpapers corresponds to the dust jacket flaps, confirming that this copy has spent life jacketed. Spotting is primarily confined to the first (through p.17) and final leaves and page edges, with occasional intrusions into the blank inner margins of the text. The dust jacket shows minor loss at the spine ends to a maximum depth of .375 inch at the head, moderate toning and scuffing to the spine, and a two inch ink squiggle on the rear panel. The dust jacket is protected in a removable, archival quality clear cover. 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. Bibliographic reference: Cohen A69.2(II).d, Woods/ICS A31(ab), Langworth p.105.
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$962.45 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Complete in 6 volumes. Volume 1, second edition, 1923, volume 2, third impression, 1923, volume3, first edition, 1927, volume 4, first edition, 1927, volume 5, second impression, 1929, volume 6, first impression, 1931. Bound in original publishers blue cloth, with blind stamped and gilt lettering. Cloth lightly rubbed, a few small nicks, or abrasion wear marks, tanning or spotting to outer page edges of 3 volumes. Generally volumes in good clean condition. Internally, browning to endpapers. Pages and maps/plates in good clean condition. A nice set. Size: 8vo
Seller: George Jeffery Books, HERTFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom
Price: US$1058.69 + shipping
Description: Vol. 1 3rd Ed. Vol. 2 2nd Ed. Rest 1st Eds. 6 vols. 12 plates, 52 charts and maps mainly folding, 86 text ills. Light browning, sporadic foxing, original gilt lettered navy cloth, vol. 2. lightly discoloured to fore-edge of upper board, vol. 5. with a pencil signature of J Le Morgan and with upper leading corner bumped, vol. 6. with the signature of S.A. Mitchell 1931, spines bumped and sl. chipped. Nice set of this classic work. US$1048
Seller: Francis Edwards ABA ILAB, Hay on Wye, United Kingdom
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Description: Very well matching set apparently brought together after publication. Vol. I is the 2nd printing. Vol. II is the 2nd printing of the 2nd edition. Vols. II and IV are 1st editions. Vol. V is the 2nd printing Very good with light bumping and rubbing. Two volumes have previous owner's bookplates on front pastedowns, small rubber stamp on bottom edges, and a loan slip mounted on rear pastedowns, in one case, mostly removed. Apparently from a private library. These are not circulated library copies. One volume has a name written on front pastedown. Edges are spotted. First and last few pages are yellowed Navy blue cloth with gilt lettered spines
Seller: Weller Book Works, A.B.A.A., Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A.
Price: US$1400.00 + shipping
Description: This is the Australian first edition of The World Crisis, Winston Churchills 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. Only the first two books 1911-1914 and 1915 had separate Australian issues. For the balance of the six-book set Australian customers were offered British issues published by Thornton Butterworth. Hence these two books constitute the entire Australian first edition.Australian editions are scarce and their dust jackets are genuinely rare. The jackets are nearly identical to those of the British first editions, printed on the same paper stock and with the same print and layout with the exception of "Australasian Publishing Co" at the base of the jacket spine in lieu of "Thornton Butterworth" and the absence of a price on the lower spine and lower front panel. The volumes beneath are bound in the same blue cloth as the British first editions with the same gilt and blind stamping, lacking only the publisher's name at the base of the spine. The contents appear to differ only at the title pages, which state "Australasian Publishing Company Ltd." in lieu of "Thornton Butterworth". The 1911-1914 volume approaches very good in a good dust jacket. The binding is square and tight with bright spine gilt. The binding shows minor shelf wear to extremities and some mottling to the cloth covers. The contents retain a crisp feel. Spotting is primarily confined to the prelims and page edges. Differential toning to the endpapers corresponds to the dust jacket flaps. An old gift inscription in a lovely hand is inked on the recto of the blank leaf preceding the half title. The 1911-1914 jacket shows shallow loss to the spine ends, fractional loss to the corners, and staining and soiling to the blank rear face and spine, which is also toned. There is white (apparently archival) tape reinforcement to the edges on the jacket verso. The 1915 volume is very good, clean and bright with light shelf wear to extremities, bumped lower front cover corner, and unobtrusive blistering at the front hinge and lower spine. Spotting of the contents is primarily confined to the first and final leaves and page edges. Australian provenance is unequivocal, with an inked name and "Taree" (a town in NSW) on the front free endpaper recto and a Sydney booksellers sticker affixed to the lower front pastedown. The dust jacket is very good minus, respectably bright, with minimal spine toning, despite moderate overall soiling. Trivial loss is confined to the hinge extremities and corners.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. Nonetheless, when Churchill advocated successfully for a naval campaign in the Dardanelles that ultimately proved disastrous, he was scapegoated and forced to resign, leaving the Admiralty in May 1915. 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. 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.This Australian edition of The World Crisis may be the most poignant, given that Australian forces paid such a disproportionately high price for the strategic and tactical failures in the Dardanelles. Reference: Cohen A69.4(I&II), Woods/ICS A31(ad), Langworth p.109
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth 1923-1931, London, 1923.
Price: US$1411.59 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: An early edition set of Winston Churchill's noted account of the First World War. Comprising volumes I-V of this important work. Lacking the final volume, which was not published until 1931.Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front endpaper of volume I H N Hetcher.Volume I and II are second editions, Volume III is a first edition, first impression. First edition, fourth impression. Volume V is a second impression.Collated, complete.This is a fantastic work, which Churchill delivered at great speed following his electoral defeat. It was first published from 1923-1931 and is a staunch defence of his Gallipoli policy and a criticism of Haig's strategy.A smart early edition of this important work. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart. Front hinge to volume V is strained but firm. Large patch of damp staining to the front board of volume V, not affecting the internals. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are bright. Heavy spotting to the first and last few pages. Very Good
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis (6 Volumes). Thornton Butterworth, 1923.
Price: US$1411.59 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Thornton Butterworth. 6 Volumes, complete. (1923-1931) Volume I, 1st edition, April 1923. includes errata slip, piece of newspaper pasted on endpaper Volume II, 1st edition, October 1923. Volume III, 1st edition, 1927. Volume IV, 1st edition, 1927, includes an errata. Volume V, 1st edition, March 1929. Volume VI, 1st edition 2nd impression, November 1931. All volumes: Condition: Very Good. Previous owner sticker on front endpaper. Pages clean and bright. Some corners rubbed and bumped ALL ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED FROM THE UK WITHIN 48 HOURS ( BOOKS ORDERED OVER THE WEEKEND DISPATCHED ON MONDAY) ALL OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY TRACKABLE AIR MAIL. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UK PLEASE ASK US FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE FOR MULTI VOLUME SETS BEFORE ORDERING
Seller: HALCYON BOOKS, LONDON, United Kingdom
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth 1923-1931, London, 1923.
Price: US$1860.73 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: A very smart first edition set of Winston Churchill's noted account of the First World War. All volumes are first editions. Volumes I, II, III and VI are all first impressions. Volumes IV and V are second impressions. It is uncommon to have a run of such early impressions.Collated, a prior owner has removed three plates to volume II, maps I, VI, and VII. All other volumes are complete.This is a fantastic work, which Churchill delivered at great speed following his electoral defeat. It was first published from 1923-1931 and is a staunch defence of his Gallipoli policy and a criticism of Haig's strategy.Errata slip to the first volume, at page I.Prior owner's inscription to the front pastedown of volumes I and II , J D Harrford.A very scarce first edition set of this important work regarding the First World War. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Bumping to the end and tail of spines. Small loss to the head of volume I. Loss to the cloth at the front board of volume V. Front hinge to volume VI is tender. Evidence of bookplate removal to the front pastedown of volume I, II. . Small loss to the bottom of front endpaper to volume VI. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are bright with occasional light spots. Very Good
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth 1923-1931, London, 1923.
Price: US$1924.90 + shipping
Description: An unusually smart early edition set of Winston Churchill's noted account of the First World War. Comprising volumes I-V of this important work. Lacking the final volume, which was not published until 1931.Volume I is a second edition, Volume II, III, IV, and V are first edition, second impressions.Collated, complete.This is a fantastic work, which Churchill delivered at great speed following his electoral defeat. It was first published from 1923-1931 and is a staunch defence of his Gallipoli policy and a criticism of Haig's strategy.Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front pastedown to volume II, Stanley Johnson, Xmas 1923. being the signature of Sir Louis Stanley Johnson, an English Solicitor and Conservative party politician. He was an MP for Hackney Council.Volume V once belonged to the BBC library, with the library stamp to the recto of front endpaper and rear pastedown only.A really bright, and fantastically neat early edition of this work. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart, with little shelfwear to the head and tail of spines. Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front pastedown to volume II, Stanley Johnson, Xmas 1923. being the signature of Sir Louis Stanley Johnson, an English Solicitor and Conservative party politician. He was an MP for Hackney Council. Library stamps to the front endpaper and rear pastedown of Volume V, the BBC library. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Otherwise, just the odd spot. Very Good Indeed
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
CHURCHILL, WINSTON S. THE WORLD CRISIS. Thornton Butterworth Ltd, London, 1923.
Price: US$2000.00 + shipping
Description: SIX VOLUMES UNIFORMLY BOUND. Published from 1923-1931. All are first editions without later printings. Endpapers have been replaced at some time in the past in Volumes 1,2,and 6. Small library staqmp on copyright page of Volume 2. Several volumes show a bit of foxing on preliminary pages. All volumes are collated complete. Volume 1, "The Worlod Crisis 1911-1914", 1923, 536pp; Volume 2, "The World Crisis 1915", 1923, 557pp. Volume 3, "The World Crisis 1916-1918, Part 1", 1927, 292pp.; Volume 4, "Thew World Crisis 1916-18, Part 2, 1927, 293-589pp.; Volume 5, "The World Crisis, the aftermath", 1929, 474pp.; Volume 6, "The World Crisis, the eastern front", 1932, 368pp. A very well-preserved set, in Mylar cvovers, and including the elusive Volume 6. Postage will be extra due to size and weight. Woods A31(a). Please see photos. Size: Royal Octavo
Seller: Glenn Books, ABAA, ILAB, Prairie Village, KS, U.S.A.
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth Limited 1923-31, London, 1923.
Price: US$2502.37 + shipping
Description: A first impression set of Winston Churchill's influential account of the First World War, illustrated with many folding maps. The first editions, first impressions.In five volumes, containing Volumes I, II, III, V, and VI, of a total of six volumes, lacking volume IV published later.Churchill's detailed first-hand work discussing the First World War, and the events that led up to the War from 1911.This is an important and much acclaimed first-hand account of the war, written by Churchill before his fame as the wartime Prime Minister. In this work, Churchill defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticises Haig's strategy.Rebound in a navy half rexine binding.Volume I illustrated with five folding maps, one map, and two plates.Volume II illustrated with five folding maps, two map, and two plates.Volume III illustrated with four folding maps, two folding tables, six maps and charts, and in-text illustrations.Volume V illustrated with four folding maps, and in-text illustrations.Volume VI illustrated with a frontispiece, ten folding maps, seven plates, and in-text illustrations.Collated, complete. Rebound in a half rexine binding with cloth to the boards, with renewed endpapers. Externally smart. Very light rubbing to the extremities. A few light marks to the boards and spines, including to the tail of the spine of Volume V. A small amount of loss of leather to the head of the spine and front joint of Volume VI. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with a few occasional scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Very Good Indeed
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
Price: US$2566.53 + shipping
Description: First editions, mixed impressions, a handsomely bound set of Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War, comprising first impressions of volumes I, III, and IV, a second impression of volume V, and a third impression of volume II. This set is from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Ronald Cohen. The work deals with Churchill's reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the war, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). This set was presumably bound before the further volume The Eastern Front was published in 1931. Provenance: Ronald Cohen, with his ownership inscription in pencil on the initial binder's blanks. Cohen's Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, published in three volumes in 2006, is the authoritative source for collectors, librarians, and dealers. Cohen A69.2(I).c (third state, no priority of issue); A69.2(II).c; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).c. 5 volumes, octavo (228 x 148 mm). Contemporary blue half calf by Bayntun (Riviere), twin red morocco labels, blue cloth sides, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Ownership stamp (John A. Meade of Victoria, Canada) to initial binder's blanks. Spines a little sunned with bands a little rubbed, some toning to contents. An excellent set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$2750.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: This is a very good First English edition set of First Printings, without dust jackets. The books are far better than average in every respect, crisp, clean, tight and unfoxed, with gilt spine titles that are modestly age-dimmed, some tanning to the front free endpapers, scattered, light spine scuffs and rubs, a bit of bubbling to the cloth, as per usual, but in very small measure. VOLUME I (Book 1) is the Second State, per Cohen, with the Errata slip tipped-in opposite Page 1. Their is a former owner's circular monogram blindstamp on the front free endpaper. VOLUME IV: THE AFTERMATH (Book 5) is also the Second State of the First Printing, per Cohen, with the Errata slip tipped-in opposite Page 9. A first-class set. First English Edition Set (Cohen A69.2[I.b, II-IV.a, V.b,VI.a]) (Woods A31ab). 8vo (5 volumes in 6 books. 2500+ pages, illustrated with folding maps and plans.)
Seller: CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS, NEW YORK, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$3208.16 + shipping
Description: First editions, first impressions, of Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the war, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). Provenance: the collection of Steve Forbes. Cohen A69.2(I).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(V).a. 6 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt, front covers lettered in blind. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Contemporary ownership signature to front free endpaper of vol. I, armorial bookplate of American financier John Richard Sofio (1887-1961) to front pastedowns of vols. III and IV; Times Book Club label to rear pastedown of vol. V. Light rubbing and nicking at extremities, endpapers a little toned. A very good set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$3528.98 + shipping
Description: First editions, first impressions, of Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the war, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). Cohen A69.2(I).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(V).a. 6 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt, front covers lettered in blind. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Contemporary ownership signature to front endpapers. Slight bumping and rubbing, vol. V a little sunned, light spotting (more pronounced to Eastern Front) yet generally a very fresh set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$4491.43 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: London, Thornton Butterworth Limited, 1923 31. All First Editions. Five Volumes bound in six with the third volume bound in two parts. Recently recased in new half leather bindings with gilt titles and decoration to the spine. Vol. I. - [1923], 1911 1914, half title, title, [6], 6-536pp; Vol. II. - [1923], 1915, half title, title, [2], 9-557pp; Vol. III. - [1927], 1916-1918 Part I, half title, title, 9-292pp (292 unnumbered); Vol IV. - [1927], 1916 1918 Part II, half title, title, ix, [blank] 293-589pp [1 blank]; Vol. V. - [1929], The Aftermath, half title with a book plate affixed, title, dedication [1 blank], 9-474pp; Vol. VI. - [1931], The Eastern Front, half title, frontispiece, title, dedication, [1 blank], 7-368pp, followed by the folding map. First Editions, first impressions. Illustrated with facsimiles, charts, and maps, many folding. Errata slips between page [vi] and 1 in Volume I, between the half title and end papers of Vol IV, and page 8 and 9 in Volume V. Blank end papers replaced with new ones. Pencil annotations to the margins of Vol IV. One of the maps in volume I darkened to the top edge. A theatre ticket and newspaper clipping loosely inserted into 2 volumes causing tanning of the pages (see photos). Working with astonishing speed and energy, Churchill produced this mammoth history of the First World War in the aftermath of electoral defeat. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the War, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticises Haig's strategy. Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the true glory of the troops who perished on the Somme (ODNB). In aim and method, it foreshadows his Second World War. 5 volumes in 6, octavo. Beautifully REBOUND (originally in cloth) in recent half dark blue morocco with raised bands, gilt titles and gilt 'Lion' tooling to spines; blue cloth boards; top edges gilt. Errata slips present to 2 volumes; light foxing to pages. A very elegant set. _____________________________________________________________ Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (30 November 1874 24 January 1965) was a British politician known chiefly for his leadership of the United Kingdom during World War II. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. A noted statesman and orator, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, historian, writer, and artist. He is the only British Prime Minister who has ever received the Nobel Prize in Literature and the second person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States. During his army career, Churchill saw action in India, in the Sudan and the Second Boer War. He gained fame and notoriety as a war correspondent and through contemporary books he wrote describing the campaigns. He also served briefly in the British Army on the Western Front in World War I, commanding the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. At the forefront of the political scene for almost fifty years, he held many political and cabinet positions. Before the First World War, he served as President of the Board of Trade, Home Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty as part of the Asquith Liberal government. During the war he continued as First Lord of the Admiralty until the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign caused his departure from government. He returned as Minister of Munitions, Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air. In the interwar years, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Conservative government. After the outbreak of the Second World War, Churchill was again appointed First
Seller: Louis88Books (Members of the PBFA), Andover, United Kingdom
Price: US$4812.25 + shipping
Description: [Military history] SMARTLY BOUND FIRST EDITIONS, a complete set. Six volumes. Octavo (24 x 16 x 29cm), pp.[8]; 536; pp.557; [3]; pp.292; pp.x; 293-589; [1]; pp.474; [2]; pp.368. With errata slips, illustrated with black and white plates and folding maps. Bound in navy half morocco with raised bands, spine gilt-lettered in six compartments, 'lion rampant' motif, matching cloth over boards. Top edges gilt; others lightly trimmed. Clean within, bindings unmarked. A fine set in handsome recent leather bindings. This comprehensive account of the Great War is both analytical, and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill considered the work "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.' Indeed, T.E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, '1915', as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read." LANGWORTH, Richard M. "Guide to the Books of Winston S Churchill", p.118-120. See also WOODS, Frederick, "A Bibliography of the Works of Sir Winston Churchill", and Cohen.
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$4900.00 + shipping
Condition: As New
Description: ALL FIRST EDITIONS. 6 vols., 9-1/8" x 6-1/4", illustrated with maps (some fold-out) and charts, bound in 1/2 blue morocco, ribbed gilt decorated spines, top edges gilt, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, internally clean and bright, inner and outer hinges fine, head and foot of spines fine, a VERY GOOD set.
Seller: D&D Galleries - ABAA, Somerville, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$5133.06 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: FIRST EDITION SET. 6 large 8vo volumes. (9.2 x 6.3 inches). Contains maps, plans and facsimiles of letters and documents. Fine leather bound set in recent full dark blue morocco leather. Spines with raised bands, red title labels, and gilt ruling, lettering and decorations of Rampant lion device stamped to spine compartments. Single gilt ruled border on boards. All edges gilt. Some very minor spotting to a few pages of the first volume otherwise a surprisingly bright and fresh set throughout, and uncommon thus. A superior set of Churchill's great war account.
Seller: Paul Foster. - ABA & PBFA Member., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$5500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: This is a virtually mint set of Mixed Early English editions, in the very rare original dust jackets, which are in extraordinarily fine condition. VOLUME I (Book 1) is the Eighth Printing of the First English edition, according to Cohen (published February 1930 and denoted by the publisher as the ?5th Impression of the Third English edition'). The dust jacket retains rich color, with some faint fading at the spine. There is a smattering of very light foxing to the fore-edges of the book, else fine. VOLUME II (Book 2) is the Sixth Printing of the First English edition, according to Cohen (published March 1929 and denoted by the publisher as the ?3rd Impression of the Second English edition'). The dust jacket is impressively fresh. VOLUME III/PARTS 1 & II (Books 3 & 4) are Fifth Printings of the First English edition (published September 1930). The books and dust jackets are mint. VOLUME IV: THE AFTERMATH (Book 5) is the 3rd Printing of the First English edition (published June 1929). The dust jacket is bright on both faces but somewhat darkened along the spine. There is a hint of edge-wear and a single short tear on each face. The contents are fine. VOLUME V: THE UNKNOWN WAR -- THE EASTERN FRONT 1914-1917 (Book 6) is the First Macmillan Reprint edition (published 1941). The very bright dust jacket has darkened slightly along the spine. The contents are fine. (When Churchill's publisher, Thornton Butterworth, went bankrupt in September 1940 the Macmillan Company bought the rights to publish its titles. By far the scarcest is this one. Churchill bibliographer, Frederic Woods reports only 600 sets of sheets were left for this edition, so the book itself is scarce, and the dustwrapper, incredibly so.) A singular jacketed set of superb quality. Mixed Early English Edition Set (Cohen A69.2 (I.j, II.f, III-1 &2.e, IV.d, V.13) (Woods A31ab). 8vo (5 volumes in 6 books. 2500+ pages, illustrated with folding maps and plans.)
Seller: CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS, NEW YORK, NY, U.S.A.
Winston Churchill. The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth 1923-1931, London, 1923.
Price: US$5774.69 + shipping
Description: A very important association copy of the first edition of Winston Churchill's noted account of the First World War from the library of World War I Gallipoli commander, Granville Egerton. All volumes are first editions, first impressions. An exceptional copy owned by Major General Granville Egerton who commanded the 52nd Lowland Division at Gallipoli and whose diaries were made into a book by David Raw last year.Churchill wrote this work at great speed following his electoral defeat. It was first published from 1923-1931 and is a staunch defence of his Gallipoli policy and a criticism of Haig's strategy.Errata slip to the first volume, at page 1.Volumes I, II and III. are from the library of Major General Granville Egerton.With the notes of Major General Granville Egerton (Geddington Priory Kettering) to volume I. Egerton had command of the 52nd Lowland at Gallipoli, and his notes are throughout this volume which concerns the years 1911-1914. Loosely inserted is an envelope addressed to Egerton. Egerton's inscription to the recto of front endpaper. Underlinings by Egerton to phrases. His added dated to page 191. To page 203 he has written 'Belgium really saved Europe from Hun Elimination'. Further down this page Egerton has written 'Bloody Politicians' to the margins. Loosely inserted to volume II is an envelope inscribed by Granville Egerton regarding the review of Churchill's work which is inside the envelope. 'The morning post appreciation of this book - interesting but discounted by the fact that it is the work of Mark-Kerr'. Many notes to the margins of this volume as well including one anecdote to page 470 in reference to the Svokes gun 'Oh God! How we prayed for something like this at Helles - I personally urged it at a conference in August - Ge'Bookplate of 'Major-General Granville Egerton' to the front pastedown of volume III.Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown of volume IV 'Ex Libris F A Beane'.Collated, complete.A very scarce first edition set of this important work regarding the First World War.An important association copy from a noted original source. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, all volumes are very smart. Light bumping to the head and tail of spines. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Errata slip to the first volume, at page 1. Errata slip tipped in to the start of volume IV. Pages are bright. Just the odd spots to the first and last few pages. Very Good Indeed
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
CHURCHILL Winston. World Crisis. , 1923.
Price: US$6000.00 + shipping
Description: "CHURCHILL, Winston. The World Crisis. London: Thornton Butterworth, (1923-31). Six volumes. Octavo, original navy cloth. $6000.First English editions of Churchills important history of World War I. "Not only the best account of the most tremendous convulsion the world has ever seen, but one of the most brilliant treatises on war that has ever been written" (Spectator).During WWI, Churchill served variously as the head of the British Navy, Minister for Munitions, and as a foot soldier in the trenches. The World Crisis offers his first-hand account of the British government's massive efforts to win the war, and depicts the political events that would serve as object lessons for Churchill when WWII broke out. Illustrated with numerous maps (many folding), charts, facsimiles, photographs, and a large folding colored map at rear of last volume. Preceded by the American editions, although "the English is more aesthetically desirable equipped with shoulder notes on each page which summarize the subject of that page It is more popular among collectors who wish to own only one edition" (Langworth, 108). Each volume was issued separately. Volume I with errata slip at p. 338; with errata slips in Volumes III and IV as called for. Without scarce dust jackets. Cohen A69.2. Woods A31(a). Langworth, 105-108. Bookplates.A handsome set in fine condition."
Seller: Bauman Rare Books, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
CHURCHILL Winston S.. The World Crisis. 1923 - 1931., 1923.
Price: US$6416.33 + shipping
Description: Nine plates, forty-eight maps, two facsimiles, eighty-two diagrams in the text. First editions. Six volumes. Large 8vo. Original blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt and ruled in blind, ruling continued to front covers in blind with titles in blind within simple blind fillet borders, dust jackets. London, Thornton Butterworth Limited. A very good set of Churchill's famous account of the First World War, retaining the scarce original dust jackets. The printing history of The World Crisis is complicated to say the least and there exist subtle differences between the various states of both the printed books and dust jackets: Vol. 1 in Cohen's third state, with errata slip tipped into page 1 and lacking one quotation mark at the bottom of p.472, dust jacket possibly in the fifth state or an intermediate state between the fifth and sixth unseen by Cohen, with an advert for the 1915 volume on the rear panel but with reviews for the 1915 volume on the back flap; Vol. 2 first printing and only state with matching dust jacket; Vol. 3 first printing and only state with matching dust jacket; Vol. 4 first printing and only state with matching dust jacket; Vol 5. first printing and second state with errata slip on p. 9 with matching dust jacket; Vol. 5 first printing and only state with matching dust jacket. A very good set, faint partial offsetting to endpapers with some foxing and browning as usual, all volumes except the last with neat engraved armorial bookplates to front pastedowns, Vol. 2 with neat ownership inscription to front free endpaper. The rare original dust jackets are largely complete, with general wear to edges and some staining, Vols. 1 & 2 in very good order, Vol. 3 & 4 with staining to spine panels and loss to tips of spine panels and corners, front turn-in fold of Vol. 3 completely detached but kept together by the archival cover, Vol. 5 The Aftermath very good with only some minor staining to spine panel and slight chipping at head, Vol. 6 The Eastern Front lacking large portion of spine panel with some loss of text, with long closed tear running upwards from the spine panel along the front joint.
Seller: Maggs Bros. Ltd ABA, ILAB, PBFA, BA, London, United Kingdom
Price: US$7699.59 + shipping
Description: First editions, first impressions of volumes II-VI, third edition of volume I, which is inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "T. B. Wall from Winston S. Churchill, Westminster Election 1924". Churchill stood for the seat of Westminster Abbey in a by-election on 19 March 1924. He had lost his seat in Dundee in 1922 and ran as a Constitutionalist, but was defeated by 43 votes by the Unionist candidate Otho Nicholson. Churchill later returned to parliament for Epping in the October 1924 election as a Constitutionalist, but sitting with the Conservatives. Working with astonishing speed and energy, Churchill produced this mammoth history of the First World War in the aftermath of electoral defeat. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the War, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticises Haig's strategy. John Buchan considered these volumes "the best thing anyone has done in contemporary history since Clarendon" (Cohen). "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). The third edition of vol. I was published in November 1923, following the first and second editions, published that April. Cohen A69.2(I).f; A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b (second state, with errata); A69.2(V).a. 6 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth,spines and front covers lettered in gilt. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Ownership signature of Scottish military artist Vereker Monteith Hamilton (1856-1931) to front free endpaper of vol. II. Lightly rubbed, Eastern Front with spine dulled and a couple of spots of wear to joints, some foxing, a couple of maps standing a little proud. A very good set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$8341.23 + shipping
Description: First British editions, first impressions, of Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War, preserving the dust jackets for all save The Eastern Front - "jacketed sets are extremely rare" (Langworth, p. 108). This set is from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Ronald Cohen. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the war, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). The publication of the US editions slightly preceded that of the British. Nonetheless, "the English is more aesthetically desirable, being bound in a more durable and uniform material and equipped with shoulder notes on each page which summarize the subject of that page. Probably for that reason, it is more popular among collectors" (Langworth, p. 108). Provenance: Ronald Cohen, with his ownership inscription in pencil on the front free endpapers. Cohen's Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, published in three volumes in 2006, is the authoritative source for collectors, librarians, and dealers. Cohen A69.2(I).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(V).a. Richard Langworth, A Connoisseur's Guide to the Books of Sir Winston Churchill, 1998. 6 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt, front covers lettered in blind. All save The Eastern Front in dust jacket. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Vol. II with book label to front pastedown of the Faulkner scholar James B. Meriwether (1928-2007). Very light bumping and rubbing at extremities, some toning to endpapers and contents; jackets with slight chipping, loss to head of front panel of vol. II with minor loss to text, tape repair to vol. IV verso all not price-clipped: a near-fine set in very good jackets.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$10000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: This is a very good First English edition set of First Printings, in the very rare original dust jackets, which are somewhat worn but all correct. VOLUME I (Book 1) dust jacket has darkened considerably, with edge-chipping, particularly at the spine head, fractional corner losses, and some streaking across the spine. The book is the Second State binding, per Cohen, with the Errata slip tipped-in opposite Page 1. The cloth and binding are bright and crisp. There is a former owner name dated in ink, "October 1922" on the front endpaper. The contents are fine, with light scattered foxing to the prelims and fore-edges and tanning to the front and rear endpapers, as well as a tiny London "Times Book Club" sticker on the rear pastedown. VOLUME II (Book 2) dust jacket has darkened along the spine, with fractional losses at the spine head and tail, as well as streaking across the spine, but is otherwise quite nice. The book is in fine condition inside and out. (Cohen notes having examined one variant copy of this dust jacket that had the price printed with "a rather large square point following 30/. The dust jacket here is one such variant.) VOLUME III/PARTS 1 & II (Books 3 & 4) dust jackets are fresh and bright on the front and rear faces, but Part I is considerably fragmented along the spine and Part II has losses at the head and tail. Both are preserved and filled out with archival tape. Both books are toned on the endpapers but are otherwise unfoxed and quite fine in every respect. VOLUME IV: THE AFTERMATH (Book 5) jacket has age-darkened considerably, particularly along the spine but is otherwise beautifully intact. The book is the Second State, per Cohen, with the Errata slip tipped-in opposite Page 9. It is immaculate, inside and out. VOLUME V: THE EASTERN FRONT (Book 6) dust jacket has fragmented along the edges, front and rear and is expertly preserved with its elements set out on an archival green paper backdrop. The spine has faded to a cream color but the spine type remains bright. The cloth is a trifle shelfworn at the corners. The cloth is otherwise bright and the binding crisp. The contents are fine. A very nice example of a rare, correct, jacketed set. First English Edition Set (Cohen A69.2[I.b, II-IV.a, V.b,VI.a]) (Woods A31ab). 8vo (5 volumes in 6 books. 2500+ pages, illustrated with folding maps and plans.)
Seller: CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS, NEW YORK, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$10500.00 + shipping
Description: This is a six-volume British first edition, first printing set of Winston Churchills history of the First World War. Full sets thus, in first printing dust jackets, are quite scarce. When these volumes were published, between 1923 and 1931, booksellers often discarded the dust jackets. Even those spared by booksellers often did not survive. In particular, the 1911-1914 first issue jacket (with a blank rear face) is quite elusive and the 1916-1918 dust jackets are notoriously fragile. The Eastern Front is scarcer still, with substantially fewer copies printed than the preceding five volumes and a jacket nearly as fragile as those for the 1916-1918 volumes.1911-1914The binding is square and tight with minor shelf wear to extremities and light, superficial moisture damage to the lower right of the front cover. The contents show no spotting, mild age-toning, and light shelf dust to the top edges. The sole previous ownership mark is a contemporary gift inscription "To Father, the Old Man, | 11th May 1923: | Paul:". The first printing dust jacket has fractional loss at the spine ends and flap fold corners, a tiny loss at the front flap fold, and light overall soiling. The lower right front face shows faint moisture staining, consonant with the moisture staining to the binding beneath, and a faint rectangular spot of discoloration centered on the price indicates removal of a sticker. 1915The binding is square and tight with light shelf wear substantially confined to hinges and extremities and a spot of slight discoloration at the lower left rear cover. The contents show no previous ownership marks. Trivial spotting appears confined to prelims and page edges, which also show light shelf soiling. The dust jacket is nearly complete, with minor loss to the flap fold corners, fractional chips at the spine ends, overall soiling, and mild spine toning.1916-1918, Parts I & IIThe bindings are superb square, immaculately clean, and beautifully bright. We note only some wrinkling to the spine ends and minor color variation on the Part I lower spine. The contents are crisp and bright with no previous ownership marks. Trivial spotting appears confined to the page edges, which also show light soiling. The exceptionally fragile dust jackets show loss to the spine ends and flap fold corners, as well as the almost inevitable hinge and flap fold splits with fractional attendant chip losses. Part I shows fracturing and a tiny hole at the upper spine, above the authors name. Part II shows a small hole at the lower spine, just above the price, as well as some spotting to the front face and a faint moisture stain at the upper left of same.The AftermathThe binding is immaculately bright, square, and tight, though with customary blistering to the spine cloth, endemic to this edition. The crisp, bright contents feel unread, with no previous ownership marks and no spotting. The dust jacket has shallow strip loss at the spine head extending onto the upper front panel and fractional loss at the corners and a few points along the front flap fold. The spine is modestly toned and scuffed, the panels comparatively clean with modest toning to the edges. The Eastern FrontThe binding is square, tight, and bright, with light shelf wear to extremities and a few small front cover blemishes. The contents are bright, crisp, and complete with no previous ownership marks, marred only by some soiling to the upper front free endpaper recto and facing pastedown. The dust jacket is substantially complete and in one piece, spared the expected splits to the hinges and flap folds. There is irregular, shallow strip loss at the spine head and intermittent shallow chipping along the top edge of the front face, as well as negligible chipping at the spine heel. The pale green hue of the paper is uniformly tanned on the spine, but red subtitle print remains bright and distinct.Reference: Cohen A69.2(I).b, (II).a, (III-1&2).a, (IV).a, (V).a; Woods/ICS A31(ab); Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$12832.65 + shipping
Description: First editions, first impressions, vol. I inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Inscribed for Colin McFadyean by Winston S. Churchill, Oct. 10 1945". Fluent in French and German and the son of a former ambassador to Germany, Colin McFadyean had been appointed in September 1939 by Ian Fleming to head the German section in Naval Intelligence (Fry, pp. 50-1). In 1942, he moved to Trent Park, where German generals and officers captured in the war were secretly bugged to hear their private conversations. McFadyean was tasked with interrogating U-boat prisoners; "his work with Naval Intelligence was crucial to the war at sea" (The Times obituary, 12 June 2007). Towards the end of the war Churchill read and annotated a copy of McFadyean's paper on prisoner interrogation (National Archives, ADM 223-475). The World Crisis is Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the War, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). Cohen A69.2(I).b (second state, no priority of issue); A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b; A69.2(V).a. Helen Fry, The Walls Have Ears, 2019. 6 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt, front covers lettered in blind. Some soiling and wear to bindings, light toning to contents and edges; vol. I with inner hinges cracked but holding, vol. II with spine dulled and ownership signature to front pastedown, vol. IV with ownership stamp to initial blank. A good set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$14500.00 + shipping
Description: This is a six-volume British first edition, first printing set of Winston Churchills history of the First World War in which he played such a critical, controversial, and varied role. Sets thus, in dust jackets, are an elusive prize. When these volumes were published, between 1923 and 1931, booksellers often discarded the dust jackets. Even those spared by booksellers often did not survive. Mere presence of the jackets commands attention; this particular set is compelling, the jackets in superior condition to those in the precious few full sets we have been able to offer over the years. Of particular note, the 1911-1914 jacket is the first issue, with a blank rear face that does not advertise subsequent volumes in the series, and the exceptionally scarce Eastern Front jacket and the two 1916-1918 dust jackets so prone to brittleness and fragmentation are substantially complete and in one piece. This set features volumes that approach near fine in jackets that are very good or better. All six bindings are tight and square, bright and clean as only jacketed copies can be, with vivid spine gilt and almost none of the typical scuffing to the handsome but wear-prone, smooth navy cloth. We note only light shelf wear to extremities, including a few small corner bumps and incidental blemishes, as well as a touch of blistering to The Aftermath, primarily along the rear joint. The contents are not only internally bright, but with a crisp, unread feel across the set. Spotting, endemic to these editions, is inevitably present, but modest, only light and intermittent within, substantially confined to endpapers and page edges. The only previous owner name is both intriguing and contemporary. Three lines inked on the front free endpaper recto of the first volume read: "R. F. Knight | Agamemnon | Apr/23" "Agamemnon" was the name of the last of Britains pre-dreadnaught battleships, which saw service in the Dardanelles during the First World War. But, of course, the name could have other meanings. Small, vintage, bookseller stickers are affixed to the lower front pastedowns of the 1911-1914 and 1916-1918 Part I volumes.The dust jackets are an impressive shelf presence, all correct first printing examples. The 1911-1914 jacket is toned on the spine, perimeter, and upper rear face, soiled, and worn at extremities, but nonetheless substantially complete with trivial loss confined to the spine ends and flap fold corners. The 1915 jacket is an excellent survivor, entirely complete with only minor wear and tiny, short, closed tears to extremities. Light overall soiling and minimal spine toning do not diminish excellent shelf presentation. The two 1916-1918 dust jackets suffer chipping to extremities and some closed tears, but are notably clean, with almost no appreciable spine toning and remarkably in one piece, rather than split at the flap folds and hinges as is typical. The 1916-1918 Part I jacket has two tiny losses at the center left spine and minor scarring just below the volume number, removing the original, printed publishers price (quite likely done by the Sydney bookseller whose sticker is affixed to the books lower front pastedown). The Aftermath jacket is nearly complete, with only fractional loss to the joint and flap fold extremities, a few short, closed tears, and quite mild spine toning. The Eastern Front dust jacket both extremely scarce and notoriously brittle is noteworthy in virtually any condition. This example is both substantially complete and in one piece, spared the expected splits to the hinges and flap folds. There is irregular, shallow loss intermittently along the top edges and lesser loss to the bottom edges. The pale green hue of the paper is lightly, uniformly tanned on the spine, but the red subtitle print remains bright and distinct. All six dust jackets are fitted with clear, removable, archival covers.Reference: Cohen A69.2(I).b, (II).a, (III-1&2).a, (IV).a, (V).a; Woods/ICS A31(ab); Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$20000.00 + shipping
Description: This is a magnificent, jacketed, six-volume British first edition, first printing set of Winston Churchills history of the First World War, in which he played such a critical, controversial, and varied role.Many consider this British edition of The World Crisis aesthetically superior to its American counterpart, with its larger volumes and shoulder notes summarizing the subject of each page. Unfortunately, the smooth navy cloth of the British first editions proved quite susceptible to wear and blistering, and the contents prone to spotting and toning. When the books are protected by their original dust jackets, of course they tend to fare better, but that is seldom the case; when these volumes were published, between 1923 and 1931, booksellers often discarded the dust jackets. Even those spared by booksellers often did not survive. Full sets thus, in dust jackets, are an elusive prize. But this particular set is the very best we have ever offered, featuring fine volumes in extraordinarily bright, clean, and complete dust jackets.The 1911-1914 jacket is the first issue, with a blank rear face that does not advertise subsequent volumes in the series. The greenish-blue paper retains its distinctive hue and the jacket shows only fractional loss at the upper front joint and upper flap fold corners. Light overall soiling and minor shelf wear to extremities are more than compensated by the jackets color and completeness. The 1915 jacket is bright and complete apart from fractional loss to the lower rear flap, with no discernible toning, light overall soiling including a faint stain to the upper front joint, and mild wear mostly confined to the bottom edges. The 1916-1918 first jackets present a special problem, as the paper used for the first printing jackets proved particularly brittle, leading the surviving jackets to commonly tone, split, and fragment. This pair is remarkably bright, clean, and complete. The Part I jacket shows only fractional loss to extremities, despite splits to the joints and rear flap fold. The Part II jacket is magnificent, the only fractional loss confined to the flap fold splits, the faces and spine not only still attached to one another, but entirely complete. The Aftermath jacket, is not only entirely complete and strikingly clean, but retains its distinctive greenish yellow hue, with only the mildest, uniform spine toning and light wear to extremities. The exceptionally scarce The Eastern Front jacket, like those of the 1916-1918 volumes, proved exceptionally brittle. This example is the best weve encountered, with only three tiny chips, respectively to the spine head and the upper and lower edges of the front face. The jacket faces and flaps retain the yellowish-green hue, the jacket spine is only slightly and uniformly toned, and the red print remains bright. All six dust jackets are fitted with clear, removable, archival covers.All six bindings are tight and square, bright and clean as only jacketed copies can be, with vivid spine gilt, sharp corners, and almost none of the typical scuffing to the handsome but wear-prone smooth navy cloth. Spotting, endemic to the edition, is vanishingly light and almost entirely confined to the text block edges. Differential toning to the endpapers of all six volumes corresponding to the dust jacket flaps confirms what the lovely bindings already testify that each of these six volumes has spent life jacketed. We find no previous ownership marks anywhere in the set and the only inked name is that of the author a cut signature of "Winston S. Churchill" tipped onto the front free endpaper recto of The Eastern Front. As evidenced by transfer browning to the adjacent half-title, this signature has long been within the book. Each volume is housed in its own quarter Morocco Solander case. Each case features an arched, dark tan goatskin spine with raised bands that are blind-hatched and framed with blind rules, twin green and red Morocco spine labels, each gilt ruled and stamped, and "London" and the published date of each volume gilt-stamped at the spine heel. Each green spine label features the volume title and subtitle, while each red label features the author "Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill". The Solander sides are tan cloth and the interior of each case is lined in white felt. Condition of the cases is near fine.Reference: Cohen A69.2(I).b, (II).a, (III-1&2).a, (IV).b, (V).a; Woods/ICS A31(ab); Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$25000.00 + shipping
Description: This is an extraordinary inscribed and annotated British first edition set of Churchill's history of the First World War. Each of the five books (the 1916-1918 book was issued in two volumes) is inscribed and dated by Churchill to his Aunt Clara. Clarita "Clara" Jerome Frewen (1851-1935) was the eldest sister of Churchill's mother and wife of Moreton Frewen, the famously slipshod editor of Churchill's first book, The Story of the Malakand Field Force. Three inscriptions are dated pre-publication and all five are warmly personal, with Churchill using only his first name. The inscriptions alone would make the set a prize, but it is the second family association that makes the set a unique piece of history. The books passed to Clara's son and Churchill's first cousin, Captain Oswald Moreton Frewen (1887-1958). Oswald was a career naval officer who served under Churchill's leadership as First Lord of the Admiralty during both the First and Second World Wars. Oswald participated in every naval engagement in the North Sea during the First World War, after the war helped the Admiralty prepare the official history of the Battle of Jutland, and during the Second World War served as King's Harbour Master of Scapa Flow. THE ANNOTATIONS: Of note, according to the Frewen family, Oswald's own 1916 diary "is considered to be part of the United Kingdom's national archives because of his description of the Battle of Jutland," with a claim upon the volume made by the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth, England. Oswald's extensive annotations in this set appear throughout the two 1916-1918 volumes and run to thousands of words. These annotations are remarkably informed and informative, sharply critical, and compellingly interesting - to both collectors and scholars. Some of Oswald's criticism may be attributed to his partisan admiration of Admiral Jellicoe, some perhaps to jealousy toward a famous cousin. Nonetheless, Oswald's comments are not without some expressed admiration for his Cousin Winston's gifts - both literary and as a leader. And tempering the sharp criticism is the knowledge that Oswald actively sought - and received - his cousin Winston's inscriptions in books that Oswald read and annotated until Oswald's death in 1958. We have transcribed the entirety of Captain Frewen's annotations, producing a 22-page document which we will provide upon request. CONDITION: This set is in sound, unrestored condition, with the original bindings firm and intact - well short of fine but of course to be prized far more for provenance and content than for condition. Five volumes are first edition, first printing. Volume I, the 1911-1914 volume, is first edition, second printing (printed only three days after publication of the first printing). The blue cloth bindings are square and tight, but show some of the scuffing endemic to the smooth navy cloth and some wear to extremities. We note the following: slight outward warping to the 1915 volume boards; some minor fraying at the head of the 1915 volume spine; minor blistering of The Aftermath cloth (to which this particular volume was prone) on the upper front cover and lower right of the spine; minor discoloration spots to The Eastern Front front cover and a wrinkle (binding error rather than blistering) in the upper rear cover cloth. Spotting is substantially confined to the page edges and first and final leaves, the heaviest instance within the set observed on the inscribed page of the 1915 volume. We note no previous ownership marks beyond the author's inscriptions and Captain Frewen's annotations. The set is housed in a navy cloth slipcase with gilt print and decoration. PROVENANCE: This set has remained in the Frewen family until now, providing both sterling provenance and a unique opportunity for collectors. Bibliographic reference: Cohen A69.2(I).d, A69.2(II).a, A69.2(III-1).a, A69.2(III-2).a, A69.2(IV).a, A69.2(V).a.; Woods/ICS A31(ab), Langworth p.105
Seller: Churchill Book Collector ABAA/ILAB/IOBA, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.