![]() ![]() The signed Volume II, as well as the additional four volumes comprising the set, are British first edition, first printing.Ī seventh “volume” is a clamshell case housing the signed flight log book, presentation letter, and newspaper clipping. Volume I is the edition available at the time of presentation – that being the first printing of the second (revised with Churchill’s many corrections) edition, published November 1949. All seven volumes are housed in two red cloth slipcases. The entire set is finely bound in full red morocco with gilt decoration and print, raised spine bands, contrasting morocco title and author panels, top edges gilt, and marbled endpapers. The exceptional fine binding is newly commissioned by us from a highly skilled binder. Also included with the set is an original 13 January 1950 newspaper clipping with quotes from both Captain Evans and Churchill about the flight. Volume II is signed by Churchill on the front free endpaper in black ink.Ĭaptain Evans’ original flight log book is signed by Churchill in blue ink on the page logging his 12 January 1950 flight with Evans.Ī typed presentation letter on Chartwell stationery conveying the two signed books to Captain Evans is dated “28 March, 1950” and signed by Churchill’s private secretary, Cecily Gemmell. Volume I is inscribed in five lines in black ink on the front free endpaper: “Inscribed for | Captain Evans | by | Winston S. INSCRIPTION, SIGNATURES & PRESENTATION LETTER Happily, this set of books has also endured, and is a truly unique collection of signatures that physically connect to one of the many pivotal moments in Churchill’s long life.īefore this set passes from view into the hands of a collector, it seemed fitting to share. There are reportedly only two still flying today. More than 18,000 Liberators were built during the war. About the things which endure, the many which do not, and the role of chance in separating the former from the latter. About the constantly changing tides of human endeavor. Of course the connection is only tangential, but that does not keep it from kindling some imagination and reflection. One of the planes that Evans flew – the B-24 Liberator – was designed and built by Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, only a few short miles from where his inscribed books now sit in our library. During the Second World War he trained in Airspeed Oxford bombers, flew anti U-Boat patrols and gave instruction in Catalina flying boats, and flew Liberators used in troop transport. Evans enlisted at age 18 in 1941, earned his wings on 25 March 1942, and was demobilised with the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 25 July 1946. This set belonged to the pilot who flew Churchill to England from Madeira in a flying boat on 12 January 1950 for the run-up to the February 1950 General Election.Ĭaptain Andrew Cannon Treyer Evans (1923-2000) was an RAF pilot during the Second World War. We recently had the privilege to catalogue a compelling, inscribed set of Churchill’s history of the Second World War. ![]()
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