Marlborough: His Life and Times, by Winston S. Churchill, First Edition, Four Volume Set, 1933-38

Churchill, Winston S. Marlborough: His Life and Times. London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938. First Editions. Four Volumes Set. Rebound in ¼ gray Moroccan leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and tooling to spine, and new marbled endpaper. Volumes presented together in a new archival slipcase.  

Presented is a first edition, four volume set of Marlborough: His Life and Times by Winston S. Churchill. An epic biography of John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, and Churchill’s 17th century ancestor, these impressive volumes explore the career and personal life of one of England’s foremost military and political leaders. All four volumes were published in London by George G. Harrap & Co. The first volume was published in 1933, followed by Volume II in 1934, Volume III in 1936, and the final volume in 1938. All four volumes are decorated with illustrated plates, numerous maps and plans, and letter and document facsimiles. The volumes have been artfully rebound in ¼ gray Moroccan leather and cloth, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, and a new marbled endpaper. The volumes are presented together in a new archival gray slipcase.  

Winston Churchill conceived of this biography in 1929 and quickly secured a publisher in George C. Harrap & Co. With the assistance of research aides, Churchill began research for the project, but did not turn his full attention to the project until spring of 1932. What began as a shorter 1 or 2 volume work grew and doubled to a massive, four volume project of over one million words. In the preface to Volume I, Churchill writes "It is my hope to recall this great shade from the past, and not only invest him with his panoply, but make him living and intimate to modern eyes."

The biography was very well received. Political philosopher Leo Strauss said of Churchill's work: "Not a whit less important than his deeds and speeches are his writings, above all his Marlborough- the greatest historical work written in our century, an inexhaustible mine of political wisdom and understanding, which should be required reading for every student of political science."

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Four Volumes Set. Rebound in ¼ gray Moroccan leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and tooling to spine, gilt stamped facsimile signature to front boards. New marbled endpaper. Interior pages very healthy and bright, with only light scattered stains and foxing to frontispiece illustration and title pages of Vol I and Vol IV. Numerous illustrations, facsimile documents and letters, and black and white and colored maps, in text and several as fold-outs.

All four volumes are presented together in a new archival slipcase with ribbon pull. Slipcase has Churchill's gilt embossed facsimile signature and an inlaid portrait of Churchill on the front. 

Book Dimensions: 9 3/8" H x 6 3/4" W x 2 1/4" D (each).
Slipcase Dimensions: 9 7/8" H x 7" W x 9 3/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.