Marlborough: His Life and Times.

First editions of each volume in Churchill's magisterial biography of his notable ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Octavo, 4 volumes, original publisher's cloth with gilt titles to the spine and gilt coat of arms to the front panel, top edge gilt, illustrated with hundreds of maps and plans (many folding), plates and document facsimiles. Association copy, inscribed by Churchill on the front free endpaper of Vol. III in the year of publication, “To George Lloyd from Winston Churchill Oct. 1936.” The recipient, Lord George Lloyd was a British Conservative politician strongly associated with the “Diehard” wing of the party. From 1937 to 1941 he was chairman of the British Council, in which capacity he sought to ensure support for Britain’s position in the Second World War. Lloyd was one of the first British political figures to agitate for rearmament against Germany, as early as 1930, before Churchill became Hitler’s most vocal opponent. When Britain declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, Lloyd called together with Churchill for a “Balkan league” which would form a line to block any German expansion into the Balkans. When Churchill became prime minister in May 1940, he appointed Lloyd as Secretary of State for the Colonies and in December of that year he conferred on him the additional job of Leader of the House of Lords. Each volume is near fine in a near fine dust jackets. A fine association and exceptional example with the dust jackets in remarkable condition.