Winston S. Churchill - Speech in the House of Commons, 2nd of August, 1944

Description: Mr. Churchill's Speech in the House of Commons, 2nd of August 1944 Winston S. Churchill Stockholm, Sweden: Ivar Haeggstroms Boktryckeri A.B., 1944 First Swedish (English-language) edition, only printing Condition: Better than Very Good Normal 0 false false false EN-CA JA X-NONE This unusual and scarce wartime item is the only printing of the Swedish (English-language) edition of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s 2 August 1944 speech to the House of Commons on the war effort. Bound in wire-stitched paper wraps, the pamphlet measures 8.25 by 6 inches (21 x 15.2 cm). The contents are printed on 15 pages featuring dense type in two columns of up to 60 lines per column, liberally interspersed with subject headings in larger, bold font. Churchill’s Bibliographer, Ron Cohen, records only two stand-alone editions of this speech – this Swedish edition and the Berne British Legation edition – with no publication precedence assigned. Condition is better than very good. Both binding staples are firmly intact with no corrosion and the paper wraps are complete, with no loss or tears. The wraps show age-toning to the perimeter, light wear to the corners, and a faint stain to the bottom fore edge corners. The contents are bright with no previous ownership marks or spotting. Churchill's preeminence as a historical figure owes most to his indispensable leadership during the Second World War, when his soaring, trenchant, and defiant oratory sustained his countrymen and inspired the free world. Of Churchill, Edward R. Murrow said: "He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle." Churchill’s 2 August 1944 speech is a wartime exemplar, lengthy and broad in scope. The prospects for the outcome of the war had turned considerably more favorable for the allies, but the politics and compromises of alliance were in many ways as fraught, complex, and consequential as military exigencies. Moreover, the war was still far from won. The last week of July had brought “much concern in the War Cabinet about the impending German V2 rocket attacks”. (Gilbert, VII, p.866) As testimony to this concern, Churchill’s speech dwelt at some length on the “flying bomb”, detailing its impacts, while simultaneously praising the resilience of Londoners and the overwhelming counter pressure of the Allied bombing campaign, ultimately using the V2 attacks as another psychological lever to motivate his people. Interestingly, Churchill was almost always mindful of distinguishing between the German people and the Nazis and envisioning a just and constructive peace even in the midst of bloodiest struggle. But the V2 must have struck a nerve, because neither distinction nor conciliation was on display: “The only result of the use of this indiscriminate weapon as far as they [the Germans] are concerned, will be that the severity of the punishment which they will receive after their weapons have been struck from their hands by our fighting men will be appreciably increased.” Toward the end of his speech, Churchill also referenced the famous 20 July “Operation Valkyrie” bomb plot against Hitler by German Officers: “The highest personalities in the German Reich are murdering one another, or trying to, while the avenging armies of the allies close upon the doomed and ever-narrowing circle of their power.” Churchill closed his speech echoing the clarion calls of 1940: “Let us go, then, on to battle on every front, thrust forward every man who can be found, arm and equip the forces in bountiful supply, listen to no parley from the enemy, vie with our valiant allies to intensify the conflict, bear with unflinching fortitude whatever evils and blows we may receive, drive on through the storm now that it reaches its fury, with the same singleness of purpose and inflexibility of resolve as we showed to all the world when we were all alone.” Churchill then heeded his own exhortation. He promptly returned to his Map Room, run by Captain Richard Pim, to find Pim listening to a wireless report of the speech. Churchill, eager to learn what information had come in while he was giving his speech, “sat down in his chair, and starting a fresh cigar said, ‘Now, Pim, tell me all about the war.’” (Pim, recollections of 2 August 1944). Reference: Cohen A195.2 Ref #: 006736 CHURCHILL BOOK COLLECTOR We are Churchill Book Collector, a professional bookseller specializing in books and other published works by and about the great twentieth century statesman and acclaimed writer, Sir Winston Churchill. We offer both a singular inventory and approachable expertise. The integrity of our inventory is backed by our membership in the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA). Churchill's official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, rightly called Churchill's long life "remarkable and versatile". Statesman, soldier, war correspondent, ardent social reformer, combative cold warrior, painter - Churchill was many things, but perhaps above all a master wordsmith. We’re here to help Churchill’s words find your shelves. Our extensive inventory features some of the rarest material offered – including fine first editions and inscribed copies – as well as reading copies and works about Churchill’s life and time. While we specialize in Churchill, our inventory also includes noteworthy first and collectible editions by other authors, ranging from Xenophon to T. E. Lawrence, spanning exploration and empire to twentieth century fiction. We are able to help with anything from finding individual books to assembling full collections, working closely with individual collectors to identify and accommodate their preferences and budget. We are also able to commission preservation cases and fine bindings. Please contact us if you have books to sell. We buy, and in some cases consign, fine and collectible individual items, as well as whole collections.

Price: 360 USD

Location: San Diego, California

End Time: 2024-12-01T14:20:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15 USD