What I Said About the Press

London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1957 . Hardback. Good. 9" by 6". None. An amazing assocaition signed presentation copy with a signed letter from W. Somerset Maugham regarding the resulting court case. An amazing association copy of this work from journalist, writer and politician Randolph Churchill, the son of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.This work, about the British press, resulted in a libel case, which resulted in Randolph being awarded £5,000 in damages in 1958. It was widely remarked that he was impressively quick witted under cross-examination.Flat signed to the front free endpaper: 'Eddie from Randolph to help his cause. White's - 21 May 57',White's being the oldest gentleman's club in London set up in 1693 as a hot chocolate shop in Mayfair. With a loosely inserted signed letter from novelist and playwright W. Somerset Maugham, dated '4 July'. The letter reads 'My dear Ward, I enclose herewith the book you lent me. I had it with [...] witness. Randolph was wonderful in the witness box. Yours sincerely W. S. Maugham'.With the stamp of 'Country Bumpkins Ltd' to the front pastedown. This was the private company Randolf set up to market this work. In the publisher's original paper covered boards. Significant loss of paper to head of rear board, with significant tide mark to rear pastedown and free endpaper. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with rubbing to joint. Inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Good