Books

First editions, first impressions, both presentation copies, inscribed by the author on the half-title of Volume I, "To Ian Hamilton from Winston S. Churchill Nov. 1933", and the first blank of Volume II, "To Ian from Winston Oct 21. 1934". His military mentor and friend of more than 60 years, Ian Hamilton was one of the most significant figures in Churchill's life. Churchill first served with Hamilton, 21 years his senior, on the north-west frontier of India in 1897. As a friend of Churchill's mother, Hamilton helped obtain permissions for Churchill's participation in the India campaign, and the Boer War in South Africa. In April 1900 Churchill joined the column commanded by Hamilton as it advanced through the Orange Free State to the Transvaal, and he immortalized his commander in his second book on the conflict, Ian Hamilton's March (1900). Their names were to be linked again in less happy circumstances during the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, organized by Churchill and commanded by Hamilton. The failure of the campaign was to be a temporary setback for Churchill, but effectively ended Hamilton's career. They remained close until Hamilton's death in 1947, and in 1957 Churchill unveiled the memorial to him in St Paul's Cathedral, describing his friend as "a brilliant and chivalrous man". Churchill worked on the biography of Marlborough, his ancestor who led allied forces to victory against Louis XIV, for almost a decade, and was given exclusive access to the Blenheim archives. 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). Volume I was published 6 October 1933 and Volume II on 20 October 1934 (here inscribed the day before publication). Two further volumes were published in 1936 and 1938. A penciled note to the half-title of Volume I, possibly in Hamilton's hand, reads "NB p. 382 - 16 lines from foot" - the passage in question refers to Marlborough being kept in the shade while vexed "by the futile conduct of the campaign in Flanders". This may draw parallels with Churchill and Hamilton's Gallipoli Campaign, designed as an alternative military route than endless trench warfare on the western front. Provenance: the book comes from two of the greatest Winston Churchill collections: that of Donald Scott Carmichael ("DSC" initials to box in gilt) and the collection of Steve Forbes. READ MORE Two volumes, large octavo. Original purple cloth, spines lettered in gilt, Marlborough crest gilt to front covers, top edges gilt. With dust jackets. Housed together in red cloth chemises and solander box by James Macdonald. Paperclip blind impression to half-title of vol. II. Books bright and fresh, jackets worn with tape repair on verso, unclipped: near-fine copies in sound jackets. Cohen A97.2(I-II).a; Woods A40(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.