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The Second World War -
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill
1948 to 1954 - Cassell and Co. Ltd., London - First Editions
‘I will leave judgements on this matter to history – but I will be one of the historians.’ - Winston Churchill.
A finely bound first edition set of Churchill’s complete six volume classic history on World War II - The Gathering Storm, Their Finest Hour, The Grant Alliance, The Hinge of Fate, Closing the Ring and Triumph and Tragedy. With numerous maps and plans, some folding.
Not since Julius Caesar and his Gallic Wars has there been a case of a great leader in war also being an able writer.
Churchill's most famous work continuing on from his earlier history of the First World War, 'The World Crisis'. The two together form, in Churchill's opinion, a comprehensive history of a second Thirty Years War.
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Price HK$ 22,000
1948 to 1954 - Cassell and Co. Ltd., London - First Editions
‘I will leave judgements on this matter to history – but I will be one of the historians.’ - Winston Churchill. A finely bound first edition set of Churchill’s complete six volume classic history on World War II - The Gathering Storm, Their Finest Hour, The Grant Alliance, The Hinge of Fate, Closing the Ring and Triumph and Tragedy. With numerous maps and plans, some folding.
Not since Julius Caesar and his Gallic Wars has there been a case of a great leader in war also being an able writer.
Churchill's most famous work continuing on from his earlier history of the First World War, 'The World Crisis'. The two together form, in Churchill's opinion, a comprehensive history of a second Thirty Years War.
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Price HK$ 22,000
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples -
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill
1956 - Cassell and Company Ltd, London - First Editions
A handsomely bound four volume set of fine first editions published shortly after Sir Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. This is the author's last great work, only available some twenty years after he wrote the first draft, which then lay dormant whilst he attended to National and Parliamentary matters.
‘The flash and dash of Churchill's zest will render these four volumes readable, humane, exhilarating, memorable and exemplary, few historians, moreover, have been gifted with a style of equal subtlety and vigour, a style at once classical and romantic, precise and imaginative, tolerant yet gently ironical, deeply sensitive to the tragedy of human failure and scornful only of those who are faithless to the virtue within them. These four volumes leave us with enhanced admiration for human character, and an added compassion for human fallibility. They are the legacy of a man of superhuman energy, great intellectual powers and utmost simplicity of soul.’ – Harold Nicolson, New York Times Book Review, 1958.
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Price HK$ 15,000
1956 - Cassell and Company Ltd, London - First Editions
A handsomely bound four volume set of fine first editions published shortly after Sir Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. This is the author's last great work, only available some twenty years after he wrote the first draft, which then lay dormant whilst he attended to National and Parliamentary matters.‘The flash and dash of Churchill's zest will render these four volumes readable, humane, exhilarating, memorable and exemplary, few historians, moreover, have been gifted with a style of equal subtlety and vigour, a style at once classical and romantic, precise and imaginative, tolerant yet gently ironical, deeply sensitive to the tragedy of human failure and scornful only of those who are faithless to the virtue within them. These four volumes leave us with enhanced admiration for human character, and an added compassion for human fallibility. They are the legacy of a man of superhuman energy, great intellectual powers and utmost simplicity of soul.’ – Harold Nicolson, New York Times Book Review, 1958.
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Price HK$ 15,000
The War Speeches of The Rt Hon Winston S. Churchill. Compiled by Charles Eade -
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill, Charles Eade (editor)
1951 - Cassell & Company Ltd, London - First Collected Editions
A finely bound three volume set of the definitive edition of the War Speeches, compiled by Churchill's literary assistant Charles Eade, (1903-1964), editor of the Daily Sketch and the Sunday Dispatch, and editor of Churchill's wartime speeches, speaking notes and the collected volume 'Churchill by His Contemporaries'.
Includes occasional facsimile manuscripts, typescripts and documents. Eade's Papers, diaries and biographical material on Sir Winston were gifted to the Churchill Archives Centre in 1998, and are owned by Churchill College, Cambridge. Together with four additional speeches that were not included in the original seven volume set published during the war.
Housed in a custom blue felt-lined slipcase with silk pull.
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Price HK$ 15,000
1951 - Cassell & Company Ltd, London - First Collected Editions
A finely bound three volume set of the definitive edition of the War Speeches, compiled by Churchill's literary assistant Charles Eade, (1903-1964), editor of the Daily Sketch and the Sunday Dispatch, and editor of Churchill's wartime speeches, speaking notes and the collected volume 'Churchill by His Contemporaries'.Includes occasional facsimile manuscripts, typescripts and documents. Eade's Papers, diaries and biographical material on Sir Winston were gifted to the Churchill Archives Centre in 1998, and are owned by Churchill College, Cambridge. Together with four additional speeches that were not included in the original seven volume set published during the war.
Housed in a custom blue felt-lined slipcase with silk pull.
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Price HK$ 15,000
The Collected Essays of Sir Winston Churchill -
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill, Michael Wolff - General Editor
1976 - Library of Imperial History, London - First Editions
A finely bound four volume first collected edition of Churchill's essays and articles, beginning with his reports on the Cuban struggle for independence in the Daily Graphic, at only 20 years of age. Published to accompany the 34 volume Centenary Edition and not available in any other form.
‘On behalf of my family I wish to express my gratitude to the Library of Imperial History for having undertaken the major task of bringing together in book form my grandfather’s entire journalistic output. These articles are spread over more than half a century and, unlike his books which have always been readily available, have hitherto been unavailable to no one, bar a handful of research scholars. These lively and varied articles and essays illuminate another facet of his character, which I hope the reader of these volumes will find stimulating and enjoyable.’ - Winston S. Churchill.
Each volume has the publisher's presentation certificate to pastedown, noting that this set is number 163 of a limited edition (an uncommon extra). Together with the four page insert and short summary of Winston’s life up to his appointment as Prime Minister in 1940.
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Price HK$ 15,000
1976 - Library of Imperial History, London - First Editions
A finely bound four volume first collected edition of Churchill's essays and articles, beginning with his reports on the Cuban struggle for independence in the Daily Graphic, at only 20 years of age. Published to accompany the 34 volume Centenary Edition and not available in any other form.‘On behalf of my family I wish to express my gratitude to the Library of Imperial History for having undertaken the major task of bringing together in book form my grandfather’s entire journalistic output. These articles are spread over more than half a century and, unlike his books which have always been readily available, have hitherto been unavailable to no one, bar a handful of research scholars. These lively and varied articles and essays illuminate another facet of his character, which I hope the reader of these volumes will find stimulating and enjoyable.’ - Winston S. Churchill.
Each volume has the publisher's presentation certificate to pastedown, noting that this set is number 163 of a limited edition (an uncommon extra). Together with the four page insert and short summary of Winston’s life up to his appointment as Prime Minister in 1940.
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Price HK$ 15,000
A Treatise on Cobbett's Corn -
William Cobbett
1828 - By William Cobbett, London - First Edition
In 1820 on returning from the United States, were he had fled fearing arrest for his arguably seditious writings, William Cobbett established a plant nursery at Kensington, where he trialed a dwarf strain of maize he found growing in a French cottage garden which grew well in England’s shorter summer. To help sell this variety, Cobbett published Treatise on Cobbett’s Corn.
Charmingly written, including anecdotes of his travels through America, and the farming techniques and people he encounters there. The title and contents pages are printed on paper made from the husks and stalks of ‘Indian Corn’ (Maize).
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Price HK$ 2,500
1828 - By William Cobbett, London - First Edition
In 1820 on returning from the United States, were he had fled fearing arrest for his arguably seditious writings, William Cobbett established a plant nursery at Kensington, where he trialed a dwarf strain of maize he found growing in a French cottage garden which grew well in England’s shorter summer. To help sell this variety, Cobbett published Treatise on Cobbett’s Corn.Charmingly written, including anecdotes of his travels through America, and the farming techniques and people he encounters there. The title and contents pages are printed on paper made from the husks and stalks of ‘Indian Corn’ (Maize).
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Price HK$ 2,500
The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook Round the World. -
Captain James Cook
1821 - Longman, London -
A handsomely bound seven volume set of all of Cook’s three voyages. Illustrated with twenty five striking aquatint plates, including frontispieces in each volume, large folding map, and a table.
‘The famous accounts of Captain Cook’s three voyages form the basis for any collection of Pacific books. In three great voyages Cook did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than all his predecessors had done together. He was really the first scientific navigator and his voyages made great contributions to many fields of knowledge’. [Hill]
On his first voyage, 25 August 1768 to 12 July 1771, Cook circumnavigated New Zealand and for the first time explored the east coast of Australia, of which he took possession for Great Britain; he also sailed through the straits separating New Guinea and Australia. On the second, and historically most important, voyage (13 July 1772 to 30 July 1775) he began by cruising as far south as possible around the edge of the antarctic ice. He again visited New Zealand and, cruising through the Pacific, discovered, or explored again, many of the islands, in particular New Caledonia, Palmerston and Norfolk Islands, Easter Island, the Marquesas, New Hebrides, Tonga, the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia. The third voyage (11 July 1776 to 4 October 1780) was undertaken to find the North-West Passage from Europe to the East. After again visiting Tasmania, New Zealand and many Pacific Islands, Cook sailed on to North America, discovering on the way the Cook Islands and the Hawaiian group. He charted the North American coast from Oregon as far north as the Bering Strait, where ice turned him back. On the way back the great explorer was killed [in 1779] in a fight with natives in Hawaii.
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Price HK$ 52,000
1821 - Longman, London -
A handsomely bound seven volume set of all of Cook’s three voyages. Illustrated with twenty five striking aquatint plates, including frontispieces in each volume, large folding map, and a table.‘The famous accounts of Captain Cook’s three voyages form the basis for any collection of Pacific books. In three great voyages Cook did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than all his predecessors had done together. He was really the first scientific navigator and his voyages made great contributions to many fields of knowledge’. [Hill]
On his first voyage, 25 August 1768 to 12 July 1771, Cook circumnavigated New Zealand and for the first time explored the east coast of Australia, of which he took possession for Great Britain; he also sailed through the straits separating New Guinea and Australia. On the second, and historically most important, voyage (13 July 1772 to 30 July 1775) he began by cruising as far south as possible around the edge of the antarctic ice. He again visited New Zealand and, cruising through the Pacific, discovered, or explored again, many of the islands, in particular New Caledonia, Palmerston and Norfolk Islands, Easter Island, the Marquesas, New Hebrides, Tonga, the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia. The third voyage (11 July 1776 to 4 October 1780) was undertaken to find the North-West Passage from Europe to the East. After again visiting Tasmania, New Zealand and many Pacific Islands, Cook sailed on to North America, discovering on the way the Cook Islands and the Hawaiian group. He charted the North American coast from Oregon as far north as the Bering Strait, where ice turned him back. On the way back the great explorer was killed [in 1779] in a fight with natives in Hawaii.
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Price HK$ 52,000
The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook, with "The Death of Captain Cook" Plate -
James Cook, John Hawkesworth, James King
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.
There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
Natural History of the Strait of Magellan and West Coast of Patagonia -
Robert O. Cunningham
1871 - Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh - First Edition
A superior example of the first edition, illustrated with folding colour map and 21 lithograph plates, some in colour.
‘The Scottish naturalist Robert O. Cunningham (1841-1918) began his 1866 voyage to South America in inclement weather, and, by the eleventh day of travel, noted a 'pond' forming in his tiny cabin aboard HMS Nassau. With never-failing humour, Cunningham presents here a record of the zoological, botanical and geological observations made across the three years he spent at sea.
As the ship's naturalist (recommended for the post by Joseph D. Hooker), his time was given wholly to research and exploration, and his findings are both fascinating and thorough. Included are his anecdotal records of seamen's slang, research into the history of the changing landscapes he visited, which had been previously documented by travellers as diverse as Drake and Darwin, statistical data on various species of animals and plants, and numerous original images. An absorbing testament of the breadth of the explorer-naturalist's interests. [C.U.P.]
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Price HK$ 10,000
1871 - Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh - First Edition
A superior example of the first edition, illustrated with folding colour map and 21 lithograph plates, some in colour.‘The Scottish naturalist Robert O. Cunningham (1841-1918) began his 1866 voyage to South America in inclement weather, and, by the eleventh day of travel, noted a 'pond' forming in his tiny cabin aboard HMS Nassau. With never-failing humour, Cunningham presents here a record of the zoological, botanical and geological observations made across the three years he spent at sea.
As the ship's naturalist (recommended for the post by Joseph D. Hooker), his time was given wholly to research and exploration, and his findings are both fascinating and thorough. Included are his anecdotal records of seamen's slang, research into the history of the changing landscapes he visited, which had been previously documented by travellers as diverse as Drake and Darwin, statistical data on various species of animals and plants, and numerous original images. An absorbing testament of the breadth of the explorer-naturalist's interests. [C.U.P.]
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Price HK$ 10,000