Books

First US editions, first printings, scarce in the jackets and slipcases (the slipcases were only issued for the first four volumes); this set is from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Ronald Cohen. Winston Churchill was a direct descendent of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, who led allied forces to victory against Louis XIV during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1715). Churchill worked on his biography for almost a decade and had the advantage of exclusive access to the Blenheim Palace archives to research the book. On publication, the work "took its place at once among the classics of historical writing. As the story of his ancestor's leadership of a grand alliance to prevent the domination of the continent by a single power, it was also a source of inspiration to Churchill in his campaign against appeasement" (ODNB). The British editions, published in the same time span, preceded the US editions. Provenance: Ronald Cohen, with his ownership inscription in pencil on the front free endpapers. Cohen's Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, published in three volumes in 2006, is the authoritative source for collectors, librarians, and dealers. Six vols, octavo. Original green cloth, spines lettered in gilt. With dust jackets; first Four vols in 2 slipcases, as issued. Contents lightly foxed at beginning and end; jackets a little worn, more substantially to volume IV with loss to lettering, vol. VI price-clipped; slipcases rubbed and split along joints but still holding without repairs: fine copies in overall very good jackets and slipcases. Cohen A97.4(I-VI).a.

Marlborough: His Life and Times is a comprehensive biography of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, written by Winston Churchill. The work details the Duke's military campaigns and personal life.