THE WORLD CRISIS - FIRST EDITIONS INSCRIBED TO SIR ABE BAILEY

First editions, first printings, of Churchill’s highly rated history of the First World War. 5 Volumes. Inscribed by Winston Churchill in Volume Five. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine. All volumes are in very good or better condition, the bindings square and firm with a little bumping and slight rubbing or marking to the extremities. The contents are lightly spotted to the text block edges and to the prelims or margins throughout. An attractive set of Churchill's history of the First World War, with the supplementary The Aftermath in presentation state. There was a further supplementary volume The Eastern Front issued in 1931 (not present here). [Woods A31a)

Inscribed by Winston Churchill on a preliminary blank flyleaf of Volume 5 “Abe / from / Winston / with every good wish / 6th Mar 1929”. It is also signed by Abe Bailey on the front free endpaper in pencil and dated May 1929. Volume 1 is signed by Abe Bailey in ink and dated May 1923. Volume 2 has a presentation inscription from Bailey’s wife Mary “With Mary’s love to Abe/Nov 6th. 1923” on a preliminary blank flyleaf. (Presumably a birthday gift as he was born on November 6th 1864). Volumes 3 and 4 are signed in pencil by Abe Bailey on the front free endpapers. 

The recipient Sir Abraham Bailey, 1st Baronet, KCMG (1864-1940), known as Abe Bailey, was a prominent South African Randlord, diamond tycoon, politician, financier and cricketer. He was a good friend and sometime financial sponsor of Churchill and his son John married Churchill’s eldest daughter Diana in 1932. He was also active in the First World War, serving as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General to the South African forces and was involved in recruiting men for the army. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government and a baronetcy by the British one in recognition of these services. These features make the set an association copy of considerable importance and of especial interest to South African collectors.

Bailey’s second wife Mary (Westenra) Bailey, was the greatest British female aviator of her time. During the First World War, Mary volunteered as an aviation mechanic and served in Britain and France, associated with the Royal Flying Corps. Her most famous achievement was a solo flight from London to the Cape and back in 1928. Her return journey included many stops, but she was the first pilot to complete the outward and inwards journey solo. In 1928 she received a trophy from the International Aviation League for champion aviatrix of the world. In 1930 she was awarded a DBE (Dame of the British Empire) for her aviation achievements. Thus the volume inscribed by her to Abe is also of considerable interest.