ADDITIONAL WAR SPEECHES PUBLISHED AS BOOKS
Four speeches or speech groups were hardbound in limited editions of special interest to collectors. They are mentioned here, as some collectors do not consider a collection of Churchill’s “books” complete without them.
Readers are referred to the Cohen Bibliography for a complete account of the many war speeches published as separate works singly or in groups. Some of these constitute the true first appearance of the speech, preceding their appearance in the war speech volumes.
ADDRESSES DELIVERED IN THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FORTY TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN, OF FRANCE, AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ENGLISH HOUSE OF COMMONS, BY THE PRIME MINISTER, WINSTON CHURCHILL
(Cohen A133 / Woods D[a]5)
Publisher: Grabhorn Press, San Francisco 1940
A limited edition of 250 copies published for Ransohoff’s Department Store in San Francisco by the Grabhorn Press. Bound in quarter beige buckram and orange cloth. 4to, 82 pages numbered (6+) (i) -(ii) and (1)-68 (+6) inclusive of free endpapers. Printed black and orange, the title page (i) containing a stylized Union Flag printed orange. Includes 1940 speeches of 13 May (excerpts); 19 May, 18 June, 20 August, 11 September and 8 October 1940 to the House of Commons; and the broadcast of 21 October to the French Nation. Published at $7.50.
This marvelous, huge (10 3/4 x 15 3/4″) large-type edition is not a reprint (per Woods) but the first appearance in volume form of these speeches, later published in Into Battle. This was recognized by Ronald Cohen, who includes the work in his Section “A”. Wrote the late Dalton Newfield: “Because they used ‘self-endpapers’ these books almost always have one or two gutterbreaks; Grabhorn should have known better. Still very desirable, though.”
The late Robert Hastings, whose famous Churchill collection was auctioned by Christie’s, had a handwritten letter from Robert Ransohoff (August 1960), stating that his store had requested 500 copies of this and the 1941 title following, but Grabhorn had refused, saying that would depreciate the value of the books. Ransohoff told Hastings that all 250 copies sold out by noon of the first day, and that Henry Morgenthau had wanted eighteen copies of this title for a British Embassy reception. Page 10 of 16 COLLECTED/SELECTED WAR SPEECHES Ransohoff’s filled Morgenthau’s order by begging copies back from customers who had bought more than one, including himself and his brother! The price stated above is from this letter. Grabhorn produced many such limited editions for Ransohoff’s.
Variant
Robert Hastings owned a copy with a large Union Flag blocked gilt on the top board, perhaps one of Morgenthau’s eighteen.
Comments and Appraisal
Highly desirable, and prices will probably go higher, since Ronald Cohen recognizes this work as a full-fledged “Section A” title.
BROADCAST ADDRESSES TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN, ITALY, POLAND, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, WINSTON CHURCHILL
(Cohen A157 / Woods D[a]8)
Publisher: Ransohoffs, San Francisco, 1941
A limited edition of 250 copies by the Grabhorn Press, bound in quarter beige buckram and light blue cloth. 4to, 78 pages numbered (8+) (i) -(iv) and (1)-60 (+6) inclusive of free endpapers. Printed black, medium blue and gold, page (i) containing the British Royal Arms printed blue and gold. Includes the 23 December 1940 broadcast to the Italians and the following 1941 world broadcasts: 9 February, 27 April, 3 May (“to the Polish People”), 22 June and 24 August. Published at $7.50.
A companion to the previous Grabhorn production, also classified by Ronald Cohen as an “A” title. A third color makes it even more elaborate than its predecessor. Equally desirable, though slightly more common than the first Grabhorn book, the BROADCASTS also command stiff prices. See publishing details under previous title.
AN ADDRESS BY THE RT. HON. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL, PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN, DECEMBER 26TH, 1941
(Cohen A163.7 / Woods A84[c])
Publisher: Overbrook Press, Stamford, Connecticut, 1942
A limited edition of 1000 copies bound in red cloth (not buckram per Woods). 16mo, 28 pages numbered (i) -(vi) and (1)-(17) (+5) printed black and dark red. Paper title label ranged upper left on top board. A pretty little piece, by no means the first appearance of the famous speech to Congress: “What kind of a People do they think we are?” Its appearance and status as a limited edition caused many to be saved over the years. It was preceded by both British Library of Information and American Government Printing Office editions, but is the only version of the speech in hardbound form.
[AN ADDRESS BY WINSTON S. CHURCHILL, PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN]
(Cohen A181.4 / Woods A93[b])
Publisher: Overbrook Press, Stamford, Connecticut, 1943
A more limited and much scarcer edition of 600 copies printed (per a publisher’s note on page 21) “For the members of the Congress, facing vast new responsibilities.” 16mo, 22 pages numbered (1)-(21) (+1) printed black and dark red. Bound in black paper covered boards with red paper title centered in top half of top board containing the title AN ADDRESS BY | WINSTON S. CHURCHILL | Washington – 19 May 1943 | The Overbrook Press : Stamford Connecticut, surrounded by decorative border, all gilt.
Churchill’s second speech to Congress is here published, not in its first appearance but certainly its most luxurious. Despite the lower run of the Ransohoff works, this is the hardest to find of the four speech volumes mentioned herein.
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