August 9, 2013

Finest Hour 120, Autumn 2003

Page 44

“A VISUAL PHILOSOPHY OF WINSTON CHURCHILL”

In Finest Hour 117 we pictured sixteen of a what remain an unknown variety of intaglio drawings by Curtis Hooper, published by Sarah Churchill in the 1970s as “A Visual Philosophy of Winston Churchill,” from the Jaffa Collection at Hillsdale College. We failed to publish the descriptive material sent us by the college, which follows herewith; please compare with FH 117.

We continue to find additional examples of the Churchill/Hooper intaglio prints, two of which are published above. We are determined eventually to publish a set of thumbnails showing every last one of them. The search continues!

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The larger of two sizes of prints produced are limited editions of 350-400. Each measures about 22.5 x 34.5 inches, signed in pencil and numbered by Sarah Churchill. Each is accompanied by an engraving, which sometimes coincides with the print. Here are descriptions in the order in which they appeared:

FH 117, PAGE 40:

1)”In War: Resolution / In Defeat: Defiance / In Victory: Magnanimity / In Peace: Good Will.” Young Winston as war reporter. Engraving of old WSC with cane and cigar. Number 145/350.

2) “I have no fear of the future Let us go forward into its mysteries.” Three images of Churchill: boy, middle-aged, elderly with cane. Engraving of WSC with cigar. Number 306/400.

3) “‘I shall believe I am to be preserved for future things.’ / Boer War 1899.” Churchill in overcoat with top hat and cane. Engraving of WSC on horseback during the charge at Omdurman (clearly the title does not apply either to the print or the engraving). Number 279/350.

4) “I can manage a machine with ease in the air—enough to appreciate and understand the future.” Large image of the older Churchill, smaller image of WSC in pilot’s gear with pre-WWl airplane. Engraving of elderly WSC. Lettered “AP” (artist’s proof).

5) “Courageous men meet on equal terms.” Lawrence of Arabia and WSC flanking a camel rider in front of pyramid. Engraving shows WSC with top hat, cane, pocket watch. Number 44/400.

FH 117, PAGE 41:

1) ‘”I was overpowered by a sense of deep and irreparable loss.’ / On the death of FDR.” Churchill with a seated Roosevelt, from a photograph taken at Quebec. Engraving shows a soldier’s helmet and holster or belt resting upon a cross grave marker with the words “And so were we…” to the right of the cross. Number 270/350.

2) “The priority of any politician. . .is to prevent war.” Churchill in front of a microphone. Engraving shows him in a fedora raising cigar to mouth. Number 60/400.

3) “We shall never, never give in” (a misquote). Churchill in the uniform of honorary colonel, 4th/5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, from a wartime photograph. Engraving shows a battle near railroad tracks, possibly the Boer ambush of the armoured train in 1899. One figure (presumably WSC) is crouched, elevated and forward from the group. Number 185/350.

4) “I was a child of the House of Commons” (possibly Harold Wilson’s statements not WSC’s). Churchill and Bracken silhouetted in the bombed Commons. Engraving of WSC with hand to chin. Number 203/350.

5) “Never Flinch, / Never Weary, / Never Despair, / …Carry On.” Head shot of Churchill in the uniform of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Engraving shows WSC with top hat held above his head with his cane. Number 97/400.

FH 117, PAGE 42:

1) “Time spent in the saddle is never wasted.” Churchill riding to hounds, from a late 1940s photograph. Engraving shows WSC on horseback playing polo. Number 139/400.

2) “My marriage was the most joyous event in my life.” Clementine Churchill superimposed on a silhouette of Winston. Engraving shows WSC and CSC walking together. Number 142/350.

3) “I have achieved a great deal to achieve nothing in the end.” An aged Churchill cupping hand to ear so as to hear better. Engraving shows WSC looking over his Chartwell lakes, from the 1950s photo by Philippe Halsman. Lettered “AP” (artist’s proof).

4) “By Honorary Citizenship / ‘We mean to honor him, but his acceptance honors us far more.’ JFK.” Head shots of Churchill and Kennedy. Engraving shows WSC leaving 10 Downing Street, smoking cigar. Lettered “AP” (artist’s proof).

5) “I look to the children—What would lie before them if God wearied of mankind.” Atomic bomb mushroom cloud flanked by a young boy and Churchill. Engraving of WSC speaking, hand on waist, jacket pushed back. Number 48/400.

6) “It was the nation and the race…that had the Lion’s heart. /1 had the luck to be called upon to give the roar.” An older Churchill flashing the V-sign, black background. Engraving pictures WSC against the London skyline. Number 22/350.

Note: for a photo similar to this print, see page 42.