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CHURCHILL, Winston S.

[The Second World War, in Italian] La Seconda Guerra Mondiale.

[Vol. I, pts. 1 & 2, only]

First Italian editions, limited issue, one of 30 numbered sets signed by the publisher of a print-run of just 1030, this copy inscribed by the author to his literary agent in vol. I; "Inscribed for Emery Reves by Winston S. Churchill, 1948". Emery Reves had been instrumental in promoting Churchill's pre-War international profile by the world-wide syndication of many of his prophetic articles during the late 'thirties. Their association blossomed again after the War when Reves negotiated the sale of the US rights for The Second World War, and purchased the international rights himself, selling serialization to twenty-seven newspapers across the globe and securing book rights in eleven European countries. Churchill said of this feat, "I am sure that no one could have done it except Reves who buzzed around the world for nearly a year making contracts." They subsequently worked closely together on the book itself, Reves having what Martin Gilbert has described as "considerable editorial input". Mondadori, in keeping with both his anti-Fascist stance and his eye for commercial opportunity was one of the first to sign an agreement with Reves, and published just a week or so after Houghton, Mifflin put out Volume I in the USA, some three months ahead of Cassell's UK edition.

2 volumes only (of 12), octavo. Original blue leather-grain cloth, front cover blocked in blind with the author's name, spines with lettering panels blocked in gilt, top edges gilt, first volume in original marbled paper slipcase. Plates and maps. Front joint of part II splitting, slip-case a little rubbed, inscription bled onto the front free endpaper and the half-title, but overall very good.

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