“THE TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE STORY OF HIS SUCCESSFUL ESCAPADE”

CHURCHILL, Winston. London to Ladysmith via Pretoria. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1900. Octavo, modern full navy morocco gilt, raised bands, spine gilt-decorated with Churchill lion emblems, top edge gilt. $2000.

First edition of Churchill’s fourth book, with three folding maps (one printed in color), handsomely bound with the original pictorial cloth front cover bound in.

When the Boer settlers in South Africa rebelled against British authority, Churchill joined with the 21st Lancers and "secured an assignment as press correspondent to the Morning Post… He had scarcely arrived [in South Africa] before he was involved in a skirmish which found him 'in durance vile': a prisoner of war in Pretoria, unable to talk himself out of prison by claiming to be a reporter, and nearly mad over the lack of action. Typically, he made a daring escape… The true-life adventure story of his successful escapade dominates this book, one of the most gripping in the canon, making this one of his most popular books" (Langworth, 52, 53). With leaf advertising two previous Churchill works and 32-page publisher's catalogue at rear, dated 10/99. Cohen A4. Woods A4.

Scattered light foxing. A handsome copy.