Lord Randolph Churchill.

London: Macmillan and Co. Limited,, 1906. First edition, first impression, of Churchill's biography of his father, the Conservative Party statesman Lord Randolph Churchill. This copy, in the Times Book Club binding, is from the collection of Churchill's bibliographer Ronald Cohen. Lord Randolph was a significant figure in British political life during the 1880s, serving as Chancellor, Leader of the Commons, and Secretary for India, until his resignation from the Cabinet in 1886 on a point of principle stalled his political career. Winston's relationship with his father was respectful rather than warm; however, "when Winston later reread his father's letters, he realized how much he had thought and cared for him... [and] was determined to vindicate his memory. In 1906 he published a two-volume biography of his father, which remains the most detailed written up to the end of the twentieth century. Winston believed that he owed everything to his father" (ODNB). This copy is an example of the first edition copies which were rebound by the Times Book Club. The Club acted as a lending library in return for an annual subscription, and also allowed books to be bought at a discounted rate. They purchased 1,900 copies of the first edition in Macmillan's original bindings, to lend and sell at discount. In time, as their lending stock became worn, the Book Club rebound an unknown portion of their remaining stock in the present binding, more plain and functional than the original and with the Club logo at the foot of the spines. Provenance: Ronald Cohen, with his ownership inscription in pencil on the front free endpaper of each volume. 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. Two volumes, octavo. Contemporary red cloth (Times Book Club issue binding, see notes), spines lettered in gilt with Club logo at foot. Photogravure portrait frontispieces, 13 plates and 3 facsimiles, 1 folding, 1 double-page. Ownership inscription to front pastedowns dated 1962. Spines sunned as often, a little spotted, very light staining at head of opening leaves of vol. I. A very good copy. Cohen A17.3.