The Menace of Land Monopoly

Melbourne, Australia: The Henry George Foundation, 1941. Paperback. This pamphlet is a wartime reprint of extracts from two Churchill speeches delivered in the House of Commons on 4 May 1909 and at King's Theatre, Edinburgh, 17 July 1909. The publisher's introductory note states: "In now publishing these extracts it is hoped that Mr. Churchill's eloquent and emphatic criticism of the present Land System will not be lost sight of in the post-war reconstruction for a New Social Order of which so much is being heard." There were two impressions - a first of 5,000 in January 1941 followed by this second printing of 10,000 in June 1941. Both, of course, are now scarce, particularly in this condition.

The pamphlet measures 7.125 inches tall x 4.75 inches wide. It is sixteen pages in length with stapled paper wraps, the front cover bearing a head and shoulders image of Churchill. This is a superior, near-fine copy, notable for the fact that the gray-green wraps maintain their original color, with only a hint of toning at the edges. The wraps are complete with no losses or tears and sharp corners. Both binding staples remain intact with no rust. There is a small circular stain to the rear cover, a faint crease at the upper rear corner, and trivial wear along the spine. The contents are clean and bright. The pamphlet is protected in a removable, archival mylar sleeve.

Reference: Cohen A140.1.b, Woods A14(c).