Here is the Course We Steer
London: National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, 1945. "Political edition," only printing. Pamphlet. This is the only printing of the "Political" edition of this striking wartime speech pamphlet. Published in April, 1945, by the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, this was a campaign piece for the forthcoming General Election, containing Churchill's March 15, 1945 address to the Party Conference at Central Hall, Westminster. It attests to the fact that, as the war in Europe drew toward an inexorable close, the suspended tensions of domestic politics intruded ever more urgently on the politically unified war effort, fracturing the wartime coalition that had acknowledged Churchill as its indispensible Prime Minister.
According to Cohen (Vol. I, A200.2), there were two similar editions - the so-called "Popular" and "Political" editions. The only distinguishing difference is the lack of a title page in the latter. Here is a very good example of the Political edition. The pamphlet is bound in wire-stitched paper wraps, measures 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches and is 16 pages in length. The bright orange wraps remain complete, firmly attached, and bright apart from a .75 inch vertical strip of moderate toning and soiling at the fore edge of the front cover and a clean one inch closed tear at the upper spine. Both binding staples remain firmly intact with minimal corrosion. The only previous ownership marks noted are two dates in pencil on the upper front cover: "3/15/1945" and directly below what appears to be "11/1/61" but is difficult to decipher. The contents remain crisp and clean. The pamphlet is protected within a removable, clear mylar sleeve.
Having done so much to win the war, Churchill faced frustration of his postwar plans when his wartime government fell to Labour in the General Election of July 1945. He would remain Leader of the Opposition until the General Election of 1951, which returned the Conservative Party to Parliamentary majority and Churchill to Downing Street for his second and final Premiership at the age of 77.
Reference: Cohen A200.2, Woods A106. Item #006434
Price: $150.00