"Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon. "
— Bertolt Brecht
Winston Churchill | First Editions
1874 - 1965
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS (30 November 1874 - 24 January 1965) was one of those people it is difficult to avoid in the rare book world, simply by dint of the fact that he was amazingly prolific, and had an educated opinion on everything.
As well as being Prime Minister of the UK twice, steering Britain to Victory during the dark days of the Second World War, writing more speeches than the entire Roman Senate, being a serving officer in the army, taking a stint as a war correspondent, being a noted historian, a less noted painter (although the island of Madeira loves him), he received the Nobel Prize for Literature and was also the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the USA.
See below our stock of Winston Churchill First Editions, fine bindings, sets, signed copies, and other collectible material.
Chartwell
Churchill War Rooms
Blenheim Palace
First Journey.
London: William Heinemann, 1964. SIGNED FIRST EDITION. Octavo (23 x 15cm), pp.xiv, 225. With 36 b/w photographic illustrations. Maps printed to end-papers. SIGNED by the author in black ink to half-title, dated 8/11/66. In publisher's red cloth with gilt titles to spine. With original pictorial dust jacket. Top edge red... More about First Journey
Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Pamphlet.
London: the friends of T. E. Lawrence, no date [circa 1936]. ORIGINAL PAMPHLET. Single page folded (19 x 11cm), with title to front cover and text inside. Upper left corner heavily browned, otherwise unmarked. Very good. A pamphlet describing the actions required to ensure a memorial to Lawrence be erected... More about Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Pamphlet
The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill. General Editor: Michael Wolff.
London: Library of Imperial History, no date (1976). [History / Politics] FIRST EDITION. 4 volumes, octavo (25 x 17 x 15cm). Each volume has the publisher's presentation bookplate loosely inserted, noting that this set is number 8 of a limited edition (an uncommon extra). Bound in original quarter dark blue... More about The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill. General Editor: Michael Wolff
The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill. The Centenary Edition. General Editor: Michael Wolff.
London: Library of Imperial History, no date [1976]. The Centenary Edition. FIRST EDITIONS in book form. The first collected edition of Churchill's essays and articles. Not available in any other form. 4 volumes in publisher's full vellum with gilt titles to spines, coat of arms in gilt with gilt rule... More about The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill. The Centenary Edition. General Editor: Michael Wolff
Ian Hamilton's March. Together with Extracts from the Diary of Lieutenant H. Frankland a Prisoner of War at Pretoria.
London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1900. [Military history] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.xiv; 409; [1], blank; [4], ads; [2], blank; [32], catalogue. Elegantly bound in brown half morocco, raised bands, gilt titles and gilt 'lion rampant' motif to spine, top edge gilt, original cloth spine and upper panel... More about Ian Hamilton's March. Together with Extracts from the Diary of Lieutenant H. Frankland a Prisoner...
Savrola. A Tale of the Revolution in Laurania.
London: Beacon Books, 1957. [Literature] SECOND PAPERBACK EDITION. Octavo (18 x 12cm), pp.222 [2]. In the publisher's colour-illustrated card covers. Heavily browned, as expected. Rubbing and light wear to joints and edges. A crease across the top corner of the front cover. Very good. Winston S. Churchill's only novel (not... More about Savrola. A Tale of the Revolution in Laurania
!['My African Journey', 'Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes' and 'The Chase of the Golden Plate' [in]...](/pictures/thumb/33857.jpg?v=1497368022)
'My African Journey', 'Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes' and 'The Chase of the Golden Plate' [in] The Strand Magazine. Volumes 34, 35 and 36.
London: George Newnes, 1907-8. FIRST APPEARANCES, the complete original parts for the Churchill and Futrelle books, plus three Sherlock Holmes mysteries, collected later in book-form. In three volumes, quarto. Illustrated throughout. Bound in publisher's light blue pictorial cloth. A used but serviceable set, a little dusty and darkened, text block... More about 'My African Journey', 'Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes' and 'The Chase of the Golden Plate' [in]...
![Recording on vinyl, box set with booklet] Sir Winston Churchill: His Memoirs and His Speeches,...](/pictures/thumb/53622.jpg?v=1555421428)
[Recording on vinyl, box set with booklet] Sir Winston Churchill: His Memoirs and His Speeches, from Armistice to Victory 1918-1945 with an Appraisal by Arthur Bryant.
London: Decca Record Co., 1964. [History / Politics] A complete set of 12 long-playing records together with printed booklet detailing the contents of the LPs, with numerous photographs and an appraisal. Each with individual card sleeves, the whole contained in the original box with decorative metallic cover, gilt tiles to... More about Recording on vinyl, box set with booklet] Sir Winston Churchill: His Memoirs and His Speeches,...
![War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...](/pictures/thumb/53316.jpg?v=1552139688)
[War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards to Victory; The Dawn of Liberation; Victory; Secret Session Speeches. Compiled by Randolph S. Churchill.
London: Cassell and Company, 1941-46. [History] COMPLETE WAR SPEECHES IN FIRST EDITION, smartly bound. Seven volumes bound as six (Victory and Secret Sessions bound together). Octavo (22 x 14 x 19cm). Includes several half-tone plates. Recent dark green half morocco, with gilt titles and gilt lion motifs to spines, raised... More about War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...
![War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...](/pictures/thumb/53412.jpg?v=1554560895)
[War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards to Victory; The Dawn of Liberation; Victory; Secret Session Speeches. Compiled by Randolph S. Churchill.
London: Cassell and Company, 1941-6. [History / Politics] COMPLETE WAR SPEECHES IN FIRST EDITION, smartly bound. Seven volumes. Octavo (22 x 14 x 20cm). Includes several half-tone plates. Recent dark blue half morocco, with gilt titles and gilt lion motifs to spines, raised bands, matching cloth boards, and top edges... More about War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...
![War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...](/pictures/thumb/53544.jpg?v=1554910430)
[War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards to Victory; The Dawn of Liberation; Victory; Secret Session Speeches. Compiled by Randolph S. Churchill.
London: Cassell and Company, 1941-6. [History / Politics] COMPLETE WAR SPEECHES IN FIRST EDITION, smartly bound. Seven volumes. Octavo (22 x 14 x 20cm). Includes several half-tone plates. Recent deep red half morocco, with gilt titles and gilt lion motifs to spines, raised bands, marbled boards, and top edges gilt... More about War Speeches 1938-1945]: Into Battle; The Unrelenting Struggle; The End of the Beginning; Onwards...
The Dawn of Liberation. War Speeches by the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill C.H., M.P. 1944.
London: Cassell and Company, 1945. [World War II]. FIRST EDITION. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xi; [1]; 327; [1]. Publisher's blue cloth, gilt titles to spine, in typographic dust-jacket. Illustrated with three half-tone plates. Some spotting to edges. Dust-jacket shows well with just a couple of small closed tears, some nicking... More about The Dawn of Liberation. War Speeches by the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill C.H., M.P. 1944
The Dawn of Liberation. War Speeches by the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill C.H., M.P. 1944.
London: Cassell and Company, 1945. [World War II] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xi; [1]; 327; [1]. Publisher's blue cloth, gilt titles to spine, in typographic dust-jacket. Illustrated with three half-tone plates. Some spotting/toning to page edges, jacket price-clipped with a couple of short tears and some rubbing. Very... More about The Dawn of Liberation. War Speeches by the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill C.H., M.P. 1944
Arms and the Covenant. Speeches on Foreign Affairs and National Defence. Compiled by Randolph S. Churchill.
George G. Harrap and Co. Ltd, 1938. FIRST EDITION, EARLIEST STATE. 8vo., pps 466. Publisher's blue cloth with gilt titles to spine in pale blue dustwrapper. This copy is a Colonial issue, sold by A.H.Spencer of Melbourne and with UK price clipped from jacket, Australian label applied to spine. A.... More about Arms and the Covenant. Speeches on Foreign Affairs and National Defence. Compiled by Randolph S....
The Atlantic Charter, and the Prime Minister's Statement on Basic English of March 9, 1944; in their original form, and in Basic English, for purposes of Comparison. Presented by the Prime Minister to Parliament by Command of His Majesty, March 1944.
London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1944. Pamphlet, 153 x 246mm. Government Document. 5 pages, stapled at spine. In near fine condition. More about The Atlantic Charter, and the Prime Minister's Statement on Basic English of March 9, 1944; in...
The Atlantic Charter, and the Prime Minister's Statement on Basic English of March 9, 1944; in their original form, and in Basic English, for purposes of Comparison. Presented by the Prime Minister to Parliament by Command of His Majesty, March 1944.
London, His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1944. Pamphlet, 153 x 246mm. Government Document. 5 pages, stapled at spine. In near fine condition. More about The Atlantic Charter, and the Prime Minister's Statement on Basic English of March 9, 1944; in...
Autograph letter as Member of Parliament for Woodford, 1959.
1959. Typed letter signed and subscribed ("Yours very sincerely, Winston S. Churchill"), to Conservative party activists Mr and Mrs. Double, thanking them for their support during his successful recent election campaign. One page, 8vo, on Chartwell headed paper, October 1959. Lightly handled, twice folded. Fine. At the General Election held... More about Autograph letter as Member of Parliament for Woodford, 1959
The British Gazette.
[London] His Majesty's Stationery Office, May 5 - May 13, 1926. 8 issues. A complete set of the British Gazette newspaper. All in very good condition, folded, with some toning as expected with newsprint. Overall an exceptionally good set, housed in a leather-spined clamshell box with gilt titles to spine... More about The British Gazette
The British Gazette.
[London]: His Majesty's Stationery Office, May 5 - May 13, 1926. Newspapers, 8 issues, (60 x 48cm). A complete set of the British Gazette newspaper. Housed in a brown leather-spined clamshell box with cloth sides, gilt titles and raised bands (34 x 27cm). All in very good condition, folded, with... More about The British Gazette
Christmas Greetings card.
London and Tunbridge Wells: Printed by Photocrom, n.d. [circa 1945]. Card-backed cut-out photographic print of Winston Churchill, with "The Prime Minister Faces Facts and Gives Facts", printed on the front. Sent out as a greetings card by A. Cohen and Co. of Great Dover Street, London with the text reading... More about Christmas Greetings card
contributes 'A Message of Good Cheer' to 'The Listener'.
London: British Broadcasting Corporation, 14th May, 1942. ORIGINAL MAGAZINE PRINTING of this speech, broadcast on Churchill's second anniversary as Prime Minister (May 10th). Subsequently collected in 'The End of the Beginning' volume of war speeches, but under the new title 'Prime Minister for Two Years'. Magazine/Newspaper format, stapled at spine... More about contributes 'A Message of Good Cheer' to 'The Listener'
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
London: Educational Book Company, 1956-58. [History] First Illustrated Edition, the Chartwell Edition. Complete in four volumes. Octavo (25 x 17 x 16cm). Each volume with several suites of double-sided black and white photographic plates. Publisher's blue buckram with gilt stamped boards, red leather title labels and gilt decoration to spines;... More about A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
London: Purnell, 1969-1971. [History] FIRST EDITION THUS. Seven volumes, quarto (33 x 24 x 41cm). 112 partworks in illustrated wraps, housed in the separately issued publisher's blue Rexine binders. Occasional ownership annotation to covers, all volumes slightly bowed due to the weight but still sound and robust. Light wear to... More about History of the English-Speaking Peoples
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
London: Cassell and Company, 1956-8. [English History] FIRST EDITIONS. Octavo (25 x 17 x 15cm), pp.[2]; xxii; 416; pp.[2]; xii; 344; [2]; pp.[2]; xii; 332; [6]; pp.[2]; xii; 322. With occasional in-text maps and plans. In publisher's red cloth with gilt titles to spines, top edges red, pictorial dust-jackets priced... More about A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
London: Cassell and Company, 1956-58. [English History] HANDSOMELY BOUND FIRST EDITIONS. Four volumes, octavo (25 x 17 x 15cm), pp.[2] xxii; 416; pp.[2] xii; 344 [2]; pp.[2] xii; 332 [6]; pp.[2] xii; 322. With occasional in-text maps and plans. In recent green half morocco with raised bands, gilt titles to... More about A History of the English-Speaking Peoples