London to Ladysmith via Pretoria

London: Longmans, Green and Co, 1900. First edition. Very Good. First edition, handsomely bound, of Churchill's account of his experiences as a war correspondent in the Second Boer War; "a splendid book both aesthetically and from a literary standpoint, the Ladysmith is one of the most sought-after titles in the canon" (Langworth, p. 54). Octavo (184 x 122 mm). Colour folding map frontispiece, 2 folding maps; 32-page publisher's catalogue at rear. Mid-twentieth-century blue half morocco by Bayntun, spine lettered in gilt, blue cloth sides, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Bookplate of John Thoburn Williamson (1907-1958), Canadian diamond magnate who built a significant book collection. Spine sunned with some soiling, very light rubbing. A very good copy.

"The volume essentially consists of 27 letters and telegrams to the Morning Post written between 26 October 1899 and 10 March 1900... It is, as Churchill said in his Introductory Note, 'mainly a personal record of my adventures and impressions during the first five months of the African War. It may also be found to give a tolerably coherent account of the operations conducted by Sir Redvers Buller for the Relief of Ladysmith'"(Cohen). A major component is Churchill's imprisonment in a prisoner of war camp and his daring escape, which enthralled readers at the time and helped to cement his reputation as a man of action and character.

Cohen A4.1.a; Hackett, South African War Books, p. 2; SABIB I p. 548. Very Good.