Liberalism and the Social Problem

There were only 465 copies of this U.S. first edition of Churchill's third book of speeches (following Mr. Brodrick's Army and For Free Trade), making it among the smallest issues of any Churchill first edition. This copy is noteworthy not only for its inherent scarcity, but also for unusually clean condition, very good overall with an exceptionally bright appearance. This U.S. first edition was actually printed and bound in England and supplied to the New York publisher, George Doran. The publication date of this U.S. first edition was 1910, following the November 1909 publication date of its British counterpart. The smooth, burgundy cloth binding with its thin boards (possibly to keep weight down for overseas shipment) did not wear well, so superior copies are elusive. This copy is an exception. The binding is square, tight, clean, and unfaded. The burgundy cloth shows no appreciable color shift between the covers and spine. Modest shelf wear is substantially confined to a little fraying at the spine ends and corners. The contents, though mildly age-toned, are entirely free of both spotting and previous ownership marks. Even the fore and bottom edges are notably clean, the top edges showing only light shelf dust. The title page shows a small blemish at the head and a partial split at the gutter. There is likewise a cosmetic split to the endpapers at the rear pastedown gutter which does not affect binding integrity. In 1904, Churchill quit the Conservative Party and joined the Liberals, beginning a dynamic chapter in his political career that saw him champion progressive causes and be branded a traitor to his class. In 1909, when Liberalism and the Social Problem was published, Churchill, in his mid-30s, had just been promoted to a Cabinet position. His 21 speeches in this volume address a broad range of social issues still topical today, with the young Churchill trying to chart a progressive course between reactionary conservatism and radical socialism. This was a balance the Liberal Party ultimately failed to sustain; Churchill would remain a member of the Liberal Party until their ruinous electoral defeat in Britain’s 1922 General Election. Churchill rejoined the Conservatives in 1924.Reference: Reference: Cohen A29.2, Woods/ICS A15(ab), Langworth p.93.