First Appearance of Churchill's "Iron Curtain" Speech

[Churchill, Winston S[pencer]. (1874-1965)]

[The Sinews of Peace] Westminster College Bulletin, April, 1946

Fulton: Westminster College, 1946. Black and white photographs. Stapled wraps. Quarto. [24 pages]. Covers have a few slight extremity rubs, otherwise near fine.

Here is the rare first appearance of Winston Churchill's speech "The Sinews of Peace," in which he first used the term "Iron Curtain" to describe the Soviet Union's establishment of control over Eastern Europe immediately following World War II.

Mr. Churchill had been invited to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, by its President, Franc Lewis McClure--through President Truman--to deliver the college's John Findley Green Foundation Lecture for 1946. The program of events for the day is covered here, including several photographs. President Truman and Mr. Churchill were both given honorary degrees from Westminster, and their individual remarks in response are also included herein.

Churchill's "Iron Curtain" phrase brilliantly described the Soviet Union's totalitarian nature, and immediately became a lasting catchphrase of what was just then being recognized as the Cold War.

This important Churchill piece is scarce in institutions, with OCLC showing just 15 holdings--all but 5 of which are in Missouri. Rare in commerce.

Ref. WOODS C472.

Item #1443

Price: $1,500