Churchill in Charge | 80th Anniversary

Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Great Britain on May 10, 1940, soon after Germany invaded France. On the 80th anniversary of this occasion, Sotheby’s, in partnership with Chardwell Booksellers, presents Churchill in Charge, an auction of rare books, manuscripts, and photographs from Churchill’s life and career. Included in the sale is one of the most famous photos of Churchill, in which he appears to be scowling at the camera (The Angry Lion). The image was captured by Yousuf Karsh, and the print is signed by the artist. The auction house states that this image is rarely seen at this scope and scale.

Among the rare volumes up for bid is a presentation set of the first English edition of The War Speeches. The set includes a note written by Churchill: “Inscribed by Winston S. Churchill, 18 February 1941, For Mrs. Johnston, In these great days.” Epistolary items from the sale include a typed letter to Than Von Ranck, an editor at The New York Journal-American. In this letter, Churchill tells Von Ranck that the story of his having been struck by a car in New York was a closed matter. Also for sale is a personal note written four days after the birth of Churchill’s first child, thanking Lady Pentland for her letter and declining an invitation to dinner. View any of these lots and register to bid by visiting Sotheby’s.