Winston Churchill Directs "Marlborough: His Life and Times" Editor From Cannes Painting Trip

A telegram sent from Winston Churchill (1874-1965), the British writer and politician, signed in PRINT by him as "CHURCHILL" at the conclusion of the wired message. August 22, 1934. Cannes, France. Churchill's message was as follows: "IMPORTANT CORRECTION PAGE 107 POSTED TODAY KINDLY ACKLOWLEDGE [sic] RECEIPT CHURCHILL." The partly printed telegram is pencil-docketed at upper left; and a clerk has noted the recipient's correct street address as "Parker St." (not "Carker Street") at upper right. Expected wear and weathering including folds, wrinkles, scuffs, and a slightly chipped right edge. Else very good. 8.5" x 7.25."

Churchill's telegram was sent to Charles C. Wood (1875-1959), the chief copy editor at George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd. This was the London publishing house which had published in 1933 the first volume of Churchill's monumental ancestral biography, "Marlborough: His Life and Times" (London: George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd., Vols. I-IV, 1933-1938). It is unclear whether Churchill's discussion of pg. 107 pertains to the imminent publication of the second volume of "Marlborough," or the third volume of the series, published much later. Churchill's ambitious work chronicles his lineal ancestor, John Churchill, 1st first Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722). "Marlborough: His Life and Times" was published in four volumes: Volume I in 1933; Volume II in 1934; Volume III in 1936; and Volume IV in 1938.

Churchill had been enthusiastically touring and painting the French Riviera since the 1920s. Between 1933-1939, Churchill frequently stayed at the home of his friend Maxine Elliott (1868-1940), the American actress and socialite. Elliott had commissioned the construction of her cliff-clinging mansion, L'Horizon, near Vallauris, partway between Antibes and Cannes, France, in 1932. Churchill sent this telegram while staying there since the British press reported in mid-August 1934 that he was headed for Elliott's. Churchill loved sojourning at L'Horizon, for here, he had the chance to work on drafts of "Marlborough" while painting, swimming, eating, relaxing, and socializing with friends. Churchill's ideal leisure activity consisted of painting from morning until night, and the Provençal scenery at L'Horizon provided him with ample opportunity.

Charles C. Wood had joined the publishing firm of George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd., in 1912. He served as chief copy editor of Churchill’s "Marlborough." In 1948, Churchill hired the retired Wood to proofread his massive multi-volume work, "The Second World War." Wood joined Churchill’s staff of secretaries, research assistants, and advisors, becoming “an essential member of the team…no error escaped his eye.” Wood was as abrasive as Churchill was demanding, and Churchill once called Wood “indefatigable, interminable, intolerable.” The exacting process of proofreading both "The Second World War" and "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples" was called “wooding."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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