Signed, Presentation Set of U.S. First Editions

Author: Winston S. Churchill

This is a fine, jacketed, presentation set of U.S. first editions, first printings of Churchill’s Marlborough: His Life and Times, signed by Churchill in each volume for E.D. Coblentz, Supervising Editor of The Hearst Papers.

Volume I:  inscribed on the front free endpaper in blue ink in five lines:
“For | E. D. Coblentz | from | Winston S. Churchill | 1946”.

Volumes 2-6: The first free endpapers of the other five volumes each bear Churchill’s full signature in identical ink to that of the Volume I inscription.

Every indication is that the entire set was inscribed and signed at the same time for Coblentz.

Edmund D. “Cobbie” Coblentz (1882-1959) spent his whole working life with the Hearst Newspapers, from 1900 to his death in 1959, beginning as a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. He served as Managing Editor or Publisher for a number of Hearst publications from 1913 to 1937 before becoming Supervising Editor for Hearst papers during the critical pre-war years 1937 to 1940, eventually becoming “Editorial Consultant to the Hearst Papers” from 1950-1959.

The set is in fine condition with near-fine dust jackets. The green cloth bindings are bright and clean, with bright gilt titles. Each of the three slipcases houses two volumes, each volume residing in its own blue buckram folding chemise.

Item #273