Savrola by Winston S. Churchill - 1908

London: George Newnes, Limited, 1908. First Illustrated edition. Paperback. This is the first illustrated edition of Churchill's third book and only novel. A very young Churchill was exuberant about publication at the time. Even though Savrola was his third published book, it was actually the first book he undertook and the second he completed. He would later make deprecating comments about the work. In his 1930 autobiography he wrote, "I have consistently urged my friends to abstain from reading it [Savrola]." However, his mixed feelings about his only novel did not keep Churchill from writing a foreword to a new edition in 1956, in which he said: "The preface to the first edition in 1900 submitted the book 'with considerable trepidation to the judgment or the clemency of the public.' The intervening fifty-five years have somewhat dulled though certainly not changed my sentiments on this point." Irrespective of Churchill's feelings about his book and his limitations as a novelist, this novel certainly provides insight into the early perspective and sentiment of the then very young Churchill.

This very early paperback reprint was issued as part of publisher George Newnes' "Sixpenny Novels Illustrated" series. The front cover bears a blue printed illustration of Savrola and Lucille. Two full-page illustrated interior plates on coated paper - at the frontispiece and opposite p.30 - make this the "first illustrated" edition. As a 100 year old paperback, it is obviously quite scarce, most often seen with significant wear, damage, and losses. Offered here is a typical example, priced commensurate with condition. The text is clean and complete with no spotting and no inscriptions, but age-toned as is inevitable. The spine is still mostly intact and legible, with loss only to the "S" in "SAVROLA". The front cover is present, but detached and with some chipping to the edges. The rear cover is detached and missing. Protected in a removable, archival quality mylar sleeve.

Reference: Cohen A3.5, Woods/ICS A3(c), Langworth p.43