The River War, An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan: Volume II (only)

by Winston S. Churchill

$1,000 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1900. First edition, third and final printing. Hardcover. This is Volume II only of the first edition, third and final printing, a particularly clean and bright copy. The River War is Churchill's second published book, issued in two volumes, the lengthiest from his time as an itinerant cavalry officer and war correspondent during the waning days of Queen Victorias reign. This first edition is not only compellingly written, but also physically beautiful. The two large, lavish volumes are decorated with gilt representations of the Mahdi's tomb on the spines and a gunboat on the front covers. Each volume is printed on heavy paper with a profusion of illustrations, maps, and plans. This third and final printing is not only the scarcest issue of the first edition, but also the last unabridged issue to be published until 2020. All three printings of the first edition (2,646 copies total) are virtually identical, issued respectively in November 1899, February 1900, and June 1900. Only 151 third printing copies were bound. This copy of the second volume is not only scarce, but particularly so thus, in very good plus condition, fully intact and unrestored. The illustrated cloth binding is square, clean, tight, and uncommonly bright. Shelf presentation is compelling, with no discernible color shift between the covers and spine, both of which retain rich navy hue and vivid gilt. Wear is minimal for the edition, trivial shelf wear substantially confined t

• Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co.
• Year: 1900
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: hardcover

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