My Early Life. A Roving Commission. Keystone Library.

CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Published by London: Thornton Butterworth Ltd, 1934

First Keystone edition, first impression, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper "Inscribed by Winston S. Churchill July. 1936", noted in a different hand on the title page, "For Lady Moyra Cavendish", and likely specially bound for presentation. Cavendish (1876-1942) married Richard Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire, in 1895. She took up residence at the family's Holker Hall, where she is noted for redesigning the gardens, and took a prominent role in local institutions. The pair knew Churchill for decades, and correspondence from Moyra from 1903 to 1935 is preserved in the Churchill Archives. The duke served in Churchill's wartime government as a parliamentary under-secretary of state for India and Burma (1940-1942) and for the Colonies (1942-1945). My Early Life was first published in 1930. It was Churchill's only volume of sustained autobiography, covering his formative years from his birth in 1874 until his election as MP for Oldham in 1900. This edition reprinted the title as part of Thornton Butterworth's uniform Keystone series. Cohen A91.3a. Octavo (213 x 133 mm). Photographic frontispiece and 15 plates, of which 12 from photographs, folding map, 8 maps and 2 plans to the text. Contemporary red calf by Bumpus, spine lettered in gilt, compartments and covers ruled in gilt, gilt turn-ins, gilt edges. Spine a little darkened and rubbed, contents a little toned. A very good copy. Seller Inventory # 175782

Bibliographic Details

Title: My Early Life. A Roving Commission. Keystone...
Publisher: London: Thornton Butterworth Ltd, 1934
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: 1st Edition