Description: The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill, complete in four volumes Winston S. Churchill London: The Library of Imperial History, 1976 Condition: Fine Normal 0 false false false EN-CA JA X-NONE This is a magnificently fine full set of Churchill’s Collected Essays in the vellum bindings and slipcases - among the best sets we have ever encountered. In 1976, the Library of Imperial History issued The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill as a welcome follow-up to the Collected Works, which included only book-length publications. Both the content and aesthetics of this four-volume set are compelling. The set compiles most of Churchill's major forewords and periodical contributions, some of which can be otherwise found only in the original periodical publications. The essays are sorted by subject and each of the volumes has a theme - Churchill and War, Churchill and Politics, Churchill and People, and Churchill at Large. In addition to being bibliographically important, The Collected Essays are aesthetically appealing. The production quality is impressive. There were two publisher binding options for The Collected Essays - both sumptuous and one positively extravagant. The lesser of the two was bound in quarter blue Morocco and is lovely, but does not match the other 34 volumes of The Collected Works. The more elaborate binding option was full natural calfskin vellum with individual green slipcases, matching the 34 volumes of the preceding Centenary Edition of Churchill's book-length works. The bindings feature Churchill's coat of arms stamped in gilt. The text is printed on special 500-year archival paper and decorated with marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, head and foot bands, and silk ribbon markers. Each volume is protected in a dark green leather slipcase with the Churchill coat of arms stamped in gilt on the front cover. Either binding of The Collected Essays is scarce, but this more elaborate binding is rarely seen alone, as it is essential to completing a uniform full set of The Collected Works. The vellum bindings were meant to tone and age naturally, but often yellow both considerably and unevenly. We have offered precious few sets this compellingly bright and clean. The bindings are pristine, showing no discernible signs of handling, perfectly square and tight with sharp corners and no visible wear. Shelf presentation is superlative, the spines improbably bright. The only defects and variations are those inherent to the vellum. The contents are likewise immaculate, crisp and bright, with satin ribbon markers still in the original position placed by the publisher. We find no previous ownership marks. The gilt page edges are vividly bright with no discernible flaws noted. The books are clearly unread. In short, the set appears flawless. The publisher's green leather slipcases are the only part of the set to show any wear. The slipcases remain bright and clean, marred only by a few, short seam splits starting at the openings. Reference: Cohen A286, Woods/ICS A146(b), Langworth p.355. Ref #: 007731 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: 4000 USD
Location: San Diego, California
End Time: 2024-12-14T13:05:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 25 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Binding: Hardcover
Place of Publication: London
Special Attributes: 1st Edition
Author: Winston S. Churchill
Publisher: The Library of Imperial History
Year Printed: 1976