"HE INDICTED NO LESS THAN 20 OF HIS FELLOW-TOWNSMEN"

CHURCHILL, Winston. Coniston. New York: Macmillan, 1906. Octavo, three-quarter russet calf, marbled boards and end papers, top edge gilt, uncut. $250.

First edition, third printing, of the best-selling seventh novel by the noted American writer, with 30 illustrations by Florence Scovel Shinn, handsomely bound.

The historical novel Coniston takes New Hampshire politics as its subject; American novelist and playwright Winston Churchill, although born in St. Louis Missouri, spent most of his life in New Hampshire. Churchill shared his first and last names with the legendary English Prime Minister; in correspondence between the two men, the English Churchill proposed that he add his middle name (Spencer) or the initial S. to his own writings, in order to avoid confusion, since the American Churchill had no middle name (Winston S. Churchill, My Early Life). The American Churchill, who achieved literary success earlier than his contemporary, wrote mainly novels and plays, whereas the English Churchill was a prolific writer of nonfiction. Both were politicians, both had served in the military, and both were amateur painters. The novel was first published in June 1906, and reprinted in July and August (as with this copy) of the same year; it was also issued in a signed limited edition in the same year. Armorial bookplate.

Interior fine; light toning and two marks of staining to spine. A near-fine copy, handsomely bound.