Books

London: Odhams Press Limited, 1936-1939. First Odhams press edition of four of Churchill's best-known works. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated. Presentation set, inscribed by Churchill to his financial adviser on the front free endpaper of My Early Life, "To T.E.R. Harris from Winston S. Churchill Christmas 1947" and initialed by Churchill in the three other volumes. The recipient, T.E.R. Harris was Churchill’s financial adviser at the Pall Mall branch of Lloyds bank in London from 1943 to 1948. For many years Churchill relied heavily on his press articles and book deals to assuage his financial worries and often turned to Harris for advice. One of these occasions was in 1943, when Churchill was negotiating the film rights to Marlborough with Sir Alexander Korda and MGM. As the bidding was being pushed up, he sought tax advice from Lloyds and Harris was consulted. Harris happened to be acquainted with famed film producer…