My Early Life. A Roving Commission. London: Thornton Butterworth, 1930. First English edition, first issue, presumed advance proof copy (not so stated but see the bulking information in the footnote), signed in black ink by Winston S. Churchill on the half-title (according to a bookseller's note tipped into the box, signed November 28, 1955 at London). Plain grey wrappers, housed in a morocco-backed case. 8 5/8 x 5 1/2 inches (22 x 14 cm); 392 pp., plates. The front joint split, the rear wrapper detached, some wear, minor dogearing to the text, etc. The plate of Sir Ian Hamilton is not present opposite p. 172, apparently because it was not yet ready for publication.

An unusual early issue of this important Churchill desideratum, which bulks 1 1/2 inches rather than 1 1/8 inches for the published book. It is on a heavier, cheaper paper. A bookseller's description is pasted into the box, and a notation in ink at the foot gives the date when Churchill signed the book. Wood A37(a).