Great Contemporaries.

London: Thornton Butterworth Ltd,, 1937. Rare pre-publication copy, from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Advance proof copy of Churchill's collection of essays on the outstanding figures of his age, including reflections on T. E. Lawrence, Trotsky, and Hitler. This copy is from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Ronald Cohen. The contents of the proof are apparently identical to the published book, including all the plates and a completed index and contents section. The rear wrapper contains a blurb similar to that printed on the front flap of the published book, although the published version omits one line - "have been written by Mr. Churchill at intervals during the last few years" - and contains other minor wording and punctuation changes. The publication date and price is given as September at 18 shillings, whereas the work was actually published in October at 21 shillings. Proof copies of Churchill's single volume pre-war works are very rare - we could trace no proof copy of this title in auction listings since 1977. Provenance: Ronald Cohen, with his ownership inscription in pencil on the front free endpaper. Cohen's Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, published in three volumes in 2006, is the authoritative source for collectors, librarians, and dealers. Octavo. Original yellow wrappers, front and rear cover lettered in black. Housed in a burgundy cloth flat-back solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. With 21 half-tone photographic plates. Contemporary inscription ("Early Proofs") to front wrapper. Light chipping at spine ends, front wrapper skilfully re-attached, edges spotted. A very good copy. Cohen A105.1.a (for the first edition; Cohen does not cover proof copies. This copy has his first state uncorrected text on p. 53).