Churchill, Winston | Great Contemporaries, inscribed "with love" to his aunt Leonie

Churchill, Winston

Great Contemporaries. London: Thornton Butterworth, 1937

8vo. Publisher's blue cloth, gilt lettered; spine sunned, some light marginal soiling to covers. Slipcase and chemise.

First edition, first state, presentation copy inscribed by the author: "To Leonie from Winston October 1937 with all my love."

The Rechler copy.

Leonie Blanche (née Jerome), Lady Leslie, was the youngest sister of Churchill's mother Jennie. Churchill was especially fond of his aunt Leonie, particularly following his mother's death in 1921. They were daughters of Leonard Jerome and Clara Hall, who were American financiers from New York. The sisters holidayed in Europe and associated with the aristocratic elite of the day, eventually marrying Anglo-Irish husbands. Leonie married Sir John Leslie, the Irish baronet. She was also a lover of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Her sister Jennie married Lord Randolph Churchill. Leonie lived until 1943, long enough to witness her nephew's ascension to Prime Minister.

Churchill wrote this collection of biographical sketches about famous people over eight years. The first edition included 21 essays, including one controversially about Adolf Hitler.

Presentation copies with warm inscriptions are rare.

REFERENCE:

Cohen A105.1.a; Woods A43a

PROVENANCE:

Leonie Blanche (née Jerome), Lady Leslie (presentation inscription to half title) — Roger Rechler (his sale, Christie's New York, 11 October 2002, lot 48)