LONDON TO LADYSMITH (VIA PRETORIA)

-First English Edition-

1900

First English Edition [1 of 10,000 copies]

By: Winston S. Churchill

Longmans, Green, & Co. Ltd. [London]

Biblio: (Cohen A4.1.a) (Woods A4a)

8vo (516 pages with 3 folding maps, 5 other plans and maps, 32-page rear publisher’s catalogue.)

Hardcover [Fawn pictorial cloth]

Item Number: 210662

$750.00

Collector's Guide

London to Ladysmith was the first of two Boer War volumes derived from Winston Churchill’s newspaper dispatches as a war correspondent in South Africa. It features a thrilling account of his escape from the Boers, an escape that would help launch young Churchill’s political career. The First English edition was published elaborately in fawn-colored cloth stamped with a striking cover illustration of the infamous armored train that Churchill was defending when he was captured. The American edition is an unadorned, though still handsome, red cloth binding with gilt lettering.

Description

This is a very good copy of the First English edition, with cloth that has darkened far less than is common for this book. The spine is just a touch ruffled and frayed. The binding is firm, the boards fresh, with sharp corners. The contents are fine and unfoxed, with all maps present. There is a large vintage bookplate on the front pastedown and the hinges, front and rear, are just beginning to give. Else fine.