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First English Edition Set. The ultimate source work about Sir Winston Churchill and the longest biography ever published (the actual Guiness record holder). Begun by Churchill's son Randolph (Volumes I and II), the eight-volume set was completed by Sir Martin Gilbert (Volumes III-VIII), whose great achievement it remains. This First English edition set, in dust jackets, is one of the more extraordinary examples of the Official Biography that we have ever encountered; signed in sequence by Randolph Churchill, Clementine Churchill and Martin Gilbert. Volumes I and II are inscribed and signed in ink on the title pages by Randolph Churchill to the Hollywood film star Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (whose bookplates appear on the front pastedowns). Volumes III-V are each signed in ink on the front free endpapers by Clementine Churchill: "Inscribed by Clementine Spencer Churchill."Volumes VI and VII are signed in ink: "Martin Gilbert" on their title pages.The inscription in Volume I reads: "Inscribed for Douglas Fairbanks by Randolph S. Churchill, Nov. 66." The inscription in Volume II reads: "Inscribed for Douglas Williams [sic] by Randolph S. Churchill" (Randolph may well have been in his cups).The words: "April - 92 age" are jotted just above Clementine Churchill's signature in Volume IV, which dates the signature to 1977. Clementine Churchill was born on April 1, 1885 and died on December 12, 1977 at the age of 92.) Though the hand is shaky, the fact that Clementine did indeed sign volumes of the Official Biography is quite surprising. These may, in fact, be unique. All volumes are English First editions in correct dust jackets, as issued. The dust jackets for MAIN Volumes I-IV are lightly edge-worn with some chipping and shelf-wear, but they are all unfaded and unclipped,save for Volume VI, which is neatly price-clipped. The remaining MAIN Volume jackets are virtually mint and unclipped. The contents of Volumes V-VIII are mint. The contents of Volumes I-IV do exhibit varying degrees of wear and age, with some scuffing to the prelims, some fading to the topstains, a whisper of scattered foxing to the fore-edges of Volumes I and II, paper clip shadows on the signature page of Volume III, and a professionally repaired front hinge break in Volume IV. All COMPANION Volume jackets are in very good condition, with bright faces and unfaded spines; unclipped, save for Volume I Part 1, Volume III Part 2 and Volume IV Parts 1-3, which are price-clipped. Overall, this is a first class set in terms of condition and a singular rarity in terms of signatures; quite possibly beyond compare.
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