Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$4521.15 + shipping
Description: First Italian editions, limited issue, the first two volumes only, inscribed by Churchill to his literary agent on the first blank of volume I, "Inscribed for Emery Reves by Winston S. Churchill, 1948"; numbers 12 and 13 respectively of 30 sets signed by the publisher. Reves was instrumental in promoting Churchill's pre-war international profile by the worldwide syndication of many of his prophetic articles during the late 1930s. Their association blossomed again when Reves negotiated the sale of the US rights for The Second World War, and purchased the international rights himself, selling serialization to 27 newspapers across the globe and securing book rights in 11 European countries. Churchill said of this feat: "I am sure that no one could have done it except Reves who buzzed around the world for nearly a year making contracts." They subsequently worked closely together on the book itself, Reves having what Martin Gilbert has described as "considerable editorial input". Mondadori, in keeping with both his anti-Fascist stance and his eye for commercial opportunity was one of the first to sign an agreement with Reves, and published just a week or so after Houghton, Mifflin put out Volume I in the USA, some three months ahead of Cassell's UK edition. The total print run comprised just 1,030 sets. Two volumes only (of 12), octavo. Original blue leather-grain cloth, front cover blocked in blind with author's name, spines lettered in blue on gilt-blocked ground, top edges gilt, first volume in original marbled paper slipcase. Illustrated with plates and maps throughout. Front joint of part II splitting, edges a little rubbed, offsetting to verso of front free endpaper and half-title from inscription; slipcase rubbed, lower joint cracked but holding: overall in very good condition.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$9800.00 + shipping
Description: First American editions of Winston Churchill's masterpiece. Octavo, six volumes, original cloth, illustrated. Triumph and Tragedy is boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "From Winston S. Churchill, 1954." Each volume is fine in near fine dust jackets. An exceptional set, uncommon signed. "Winston Churchill himself affirmed that this is not history: this is my case" (Holmes, 285). Churchill was re-elected to the post of Prime Minister in 1951. "The Second World War is a great work of literature, combining narrative, historical imagination and moral precept in a form that bears comparison with that of the original master chronicler, Thucydides. It was wholly appropriate that in 1953 Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature" (Keegan). Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century. It placed number one on the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century by National Review magazine.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Price: US$12500.00 + shipping
Description: First American editions of Winston Churchill's masterpiece, preceding the British editions. Octavo, six volumes, original cloth, illustrated. The Hinge of Fate is an association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Sylvia from Winston 1951." The recipient, Sylvia Henley was "one of those who had known Churchill best, and longest. a frequent guest at Chartwell" (Gilbert, p. 307). Along with Jock Colville, Henley was one of Churchill's most frequent Bezique opponents; Bezique was Churchill's favorite game, as he was an expert player. Each volume is fine in near fine dust jackets. Housed in the original publisher's wooden box. An exceptional association, uncommon signed and inscribed and in the original wooden box. "Winston Churchill himself affirmed that this is not history: this is my case" (Holmes, 285). Churchill was re-elected to the post of Prime Minister in 1951. "The Second World War is a great work of literature, combining narrative, historical imagination and moral precept in a form that bears comparison with that of the original master chronicler, Thucydides. It was wholly appropriate that in 1953 Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature" (Keegan). Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century. It placed number one on the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century by National Review magazine.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
CHURCHILL, Winston S.. The Second World War.. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1948-53, 1948.
Price: US$32293.93 + shipping
Description: An excellent presentation set of Churchill's wartime memoirs, inscribed in four volumes by the author to Sylvia Henley, "one of those who had known Churchill best, and longest. a frequent guest at Chartwell" (Gilbert, p.307). Four volumes are inscribed by the author: "For Sylvia from Winston 1948" (Vol. I), "For Sylvia from Winston 1951" (Vol. IV), "To Sylvia from Winston S. Churchill 1952" (Vol. V), and "Sylvia from Winston 1954 Bezique Grand Cup" (Vol. VI). Sylvia has noted in pencil after the inscription in the sixth volume "This refers to W's victory over me at Chartwell Jan 3 1954". Sylvia Henley (1882-1980) was Clementine Churchill's cousin, with whom she had a particularly "strong and long-lasting friendship" (Jenkins, p. 138). Along with Jock Colville, Sylvia was one of Churchill's most frequent and favoured Bezique opponents; Bezique was Churchill's favourite game, he was an expert player and inevitably devilishly competitive. During the war it provided a welcome distraction, and he played for hours on end. After the war he continued to play it almost daily and kept a meticulous account of scores and victories. The set is comprised of the first US editions, including first printings of Volumes II-IV and VI, a third printing of Volume I, and a later printing of Volume V (without date on the title page, removed following the first). The earliest presentation copies are always the US editions, which were published ahead of the UK editions. He was evidently delivered batches of copies by the publisher in a mix of printings. Presentation copies even to key figures are often in subsequent printings. The rear free endpapers have brief pencilled page references. Loosely inserted at the rear of Volume V is a letter from the insurers R. G. Hennell & Sons to Henley. Provenance: the collection of Steve Forbes. Cohen A240.1(I).c, A240.1(II-IV & VI).a [Vol. V a variant not noted by Cohen]; Woods A123(a). Martin Gilbert, In Search of Churchill, 1994; Roy Jenkins, Churchill, 2001. Six volumes, octavo. Original red cloth, gilt-lettered spines, front covers with facsimile of Churchill's signature gilt on a black ground, pale red top edges. With supplied dust jackets. Maps and diagrams throughout. Light rubbing and a few nicks at extremities; unclipped jackets with a few minor chips and short closed tears at extremities, light rubbing, else bright: a very good set in very good jackets.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom