Book From House of Commons 1954
Gerald Cobb (1899 - 1986)
Category
Books
Date
30 Nov 1954
Materials
Leather, Paper
Measurements
450 x 310 x 30 mm
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1101276
Summary
The Book from the House of Commons 1954 presented to Sir Winston on his 80th birthday, November 30th 1954, by the House of Commons, and signed by all Members; the design by Mr. James Frere and the execution by Mr. Gerald Cobb and assistant, and the binding by Sangorski and Sutcliffe; in green leather with coat of arms and outer case.Formerly part of the Heirloom Collection.
Full description
To mark his 80th birthday members of both Houses subscribed 1000 guineas for the famous Graham Sutherland portrait that was later destroyed on Lady Churchill’s instruction, and all members present signed this memorial volume. He unveiled the painting and was presented with this volume in front of 2500 people at Westminster Hall. On 1 December The Times noted that following the unveiling of the Sutherland portrait by Clement Attlee, “Next, Mr. Grenfell, “Father” of the House of Commons, on behalf of the Lower House, presented the Prime Minister with an illuminated book signed by almost every member of the House. They paid their homage, he said, to one of the greatest of Parliamentarians, and paid him, too, a tribute of their affection. They wished him many years of health and – here a happy phrase – of peaceful coexistence. Sir Winston stood to turn over pages of the volume as it rested on a lectern, and plain to be seen on his features were the mixed emotions to which he confessed later – pride and humility coexisting without contradiction in his heart.” As Churchill said of the event in his speech of thanks, “There has never been anything like it in British History, and, indeed, I doubt whether any of the modern democracies abroad have shown such a degree of kindness and generosity to a party politician who has not yet retired and may at any time be involved in controversy.” There are BBC and British Pathé films of the event. Lady Soames speaks in her biography of her mother how moved her parents were by the warmth of feeling expressed in the ceremony.
Makers and roles
Gerald Cobb (1899 - 1986), publisher James Arnold Frere (1920 - 1994), designer Sangorski and Sutcliffe, bookbinder