“I THINK MY CORRECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE OVERRULED BY THE PROOF READER WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST EXPLANATION”: TWO-PAGE TYPED LETTER TO THE CHIEF EDITOR AT GEORGE G. HARRAP SIGNED BY CHURCHILL REGARDING CORRECTIONS TO THE TEXT OF MARLBOROUGH, WITH FOUR PAGES OF PROOFS HEAVILY ANNOTATED BY CHURCHILL IN RED

CHURCHILL, Winston. Annotated proofs for Marlborough. WITH: Typed letter signed. London, 1934. Four-page set of annotated proofs measuring 6 by 9 inches, and two-page typed letter signed measuring 8-1/2 by 10 inchess. WITH: Handsomely bound 4-volume first edition set of Marlborough.

Signed two-page typed letter addressed to publisher George G. Harrap’s chief copy editor C.C. Wood regarding Churchill’s reactions to proposed corrections to the manuscript of Marlborough, signed by Winston Churchill, together with four pages of proofs heavily annotated by Churchill in red.

Churchill wrote Marlborough: his Life and Times, a history of his famous ancestor, to refute earlier criticisms of Marlborough by Macaulay. This signed typed letter is hand-addressed by Churchill to “Mr. Wood,” the chief copy editor at Churchill’s London publisher, George G. Harrap. The letter, dated 21st August 1934 and typed on Churchill’s Chartwell, Westerham, Kent stationery, promises Wood the rest of the proofs and offers a few additional corrections. However, Churchill focuses primarily on his conflict with the proof reader. He writes, in small part: “Your proof reader has in five or six places refused to give effect to my alterations and I see my corrections have been simply struck out in red pencil… I have been taking the very greatest trouble about these proofs and generally about this book and have spared no effort. I think my corrections should not be overruled by the proof reader without the slightest explanation. I feel sure these proofs have escaped your notice. I send you a specimen sheet in order that you may see the condition in which my proof is returned to me. [signed] Yours sincerely, Winston S. Churchill.” The letter features red diagonals marks across the text—possibly checks—likely written by the publisher. The accompanying four pages of proofs (or specimen pages) feature extensive red and blue markings and annotations by both Churchill and the proof reader. The proofs are from Chapter XXVII, “The Mortified Adventurer, pages 599-602. Accompanied by a handsomely bound 4-volume set of the first editions of the work.

Signed letter extremely good, with faintest foxing, small closed tear, and paper clip rust to edge. Proofs near-fine, with hole punch and paper clip rust. Scarce and desirable.