Mr. Churchill on the Peers

London: The Liberal Publications Department (in connection with the National Liberal Federation and the Liberal Central Association), 1910. 1st Edition. Paperback. Here is the scarce first edition, only printing of Churchill's letter to his constituents of 14 November 1910. This letter addressed to Sir George Ritchie was published by the Liberal Publication Department as a single-sheet, double-sided "Leaflet No. 2358" on 18 November 1910, measuring 8 x 5.25 inches. In 1910 Winston Churchill was a young lion of the Liberal Party, vexing the British establishment and helping Lloyd George lay the foundations of the modern welfare state. Churchill's 14 November speech is in vehement opposition to the veto power of the House of Lords.

This leaflet captures the young radical Churchill in full flower. "Was ever inequality more scandalous? Was ever injustice more glaring? All classes are to have votes; but only Tory votes are to count. WE CAN SUBMIT NO LONGER TO THIS USAGE. THIS IS OUR LAND AS MUCH AS IT IS THEIRS." The small number of original Churchill leaflets and pamphlets available to collectors from the Pre-WWI decade beginning in 1904 frequently owe their survival to the fact that they were bound in annual compilations by the Liberal Publication Department.

This leaflet appears to have been disbound, but is in superlative condition - crisp and bright with no spotting or markings of any kind and with only slight wrinkling along the left edge. The leaflet is protected by a black hard case stamped in gilt on the front cover that completely enfolds the pamphlet within. The case is in perfect condition, with a previous owner bookplate on the inside front cover.

Reference: Cohen A33.1, Woods A18.