Winston S. Churchill - The Second World War, British 1st editions, in jackets

Description: The Second World War Winston S. Churchill London: Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1948-1954 British first editions, in dust jackets Condition: Very GoodJacket Condition: Very Good This is a six-volume jacketed set of British first editions of The Second World War, Winston S. Churchill's history of the epic 20th Century struggle that was so indelibly stamped by his leadership. Jacketed British first edition sets in marginal condition are not uncommon. However, the coarse cloth bindings of this edition proved susceptible to soiling and mildew, the contents (printed on post-war "Economy Standards" paper) proved highly prone to spotting, the red-stained top edges are most often severely faded, and the dust jackets proved exceptionally vulnerable to pronounced spine toning. This complete, first edition, first printing set features very good volumes in very good dust jackets, showing some of the flaws endemic to the edition but nonetheless better than most sets we see. The black cloth bindings are square, tight, and clean with bright spine gilt. We note only trivial scuffs and a few bruised corners. The contents are likewise superior for the edition, even if not flawless. We find only three previous ownership marks – a tiny personal library sticker affixed to the upper left front pastedown of Volumes I & III and an inked owner name on the Volume II upper front free endpaper verso. Spotting is mild for the edition, a few spots to the Volume I prelims and otherwise confined to the page edges, appreciable only to the Volume I page edges. The red topstain retains strong color across all six volumes. The Volume I gutter at the title page has a cosmetic split, exposing the intact mull beneath but not affecting binding integrity. The first printing dust jackets are all unclipped, retaining the original lower front flap prices and almost entirely complete, with only fractional chipping to a few spine ends. The jackets show various amounts of superficial scuffing to the joints, as well as a few abrasions to the lower Volume I spine. Nonetheless, spine toning is minimal and all six red spine subtitles remain clearly legible. Each jacket is fitted with a clear, removable, archival cover. Seldom, if ever, has history endowed a statesman with both singular ability to make history, and singular ability to write it. As with so much of what Churchill wrote, The Second World War is not "history" in the strictly academic, objectivist sense, but rather Churchill's perspective on history. In his March 1948 introduction to the first volume, Churchill himself made the disclaimer, "I do not describe it as history... it is a contribution to history..." Nonetheless the compelling fact remains, as stated by Churchill himself, "I am perhaps the only man who has passed through both the two supreme cataclysms of recorded history in high Cabinet office... I was for more than five years in this second struggle with Germany the Head of His Majesty's government. I write, therefore, from a different standpoint and with more authority than was possible in my earlier books." Certainly, The Second World War may be regarded as an intensely personal and inherently biased history. Nonetheless, Churchill's work remains iconic, a vital part of the historical record. The six-volume epic has been called "indispensable reading for anyone who seeks a true understanding of the war that made us what we are today." Please anticipate that this set may require additional postage depending on delivery method and destination. Reference: Cohen A240.4(I-VI).a, Woods/ICS A123(ba), Langworth p.264. Ref #: 007980 CHURCHILL BOOK COLLECTOR We are Churchill Book Collector, a professional bookseller specializing in books and other published works by and about the great twentieth century statesman and acclaimed writer, Sir Winston Churchill. We offer both a singular inventory and approachable expertise. The integrity of our inventory is backed by our membership in the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA). Churchill's official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, rightly called Churchill's long life "remarkable and versatile". Statesman, soldier, war correspondent, ardent social reformer, combative cold warrior, painter - Churchill was many things, but perhaps above all a master wordsmith. We’re here to help Churchill’s words find your shelves. Our extensive inventory features some of the rarest material offered – including fine first editions and inscribed copies – as well as reading copies and works about Churchill’s life and time. While we specialize in Churchill, our inventory also includes noteworthy first and collectible editions by other authors, ranging from Xenophon to T. E. Lawrence, spanning exploration and empire to twentieth century fiction. We are able to help with anything from finding individual books to assembling full collections, working closely with individual collectors to identify and accommodate their preferences and budget. We are also able to commission preservation cases and fine bindings. Please contact us if you have books to sell. We buy, and in some cases consign, fine and collectible individual items, as well as whole collections.

Price: 1100 USD

Location: San Diego, California

End Time: 2024-12-04T16:36:04.000Z

Shipping Cost: 25 USD