CHURCHILL et la France – Churchill and France – A one-time publication presenting Churchill’s unwavering loyalty and support for France and the French people throughout the war years – featuring numerous photographs. Issued in France toward the end of the war with the goal of strengthening “Free France” and the French Resistance forces. Published by S.E.N. C.O.L., France, 1945 – the copy of French resistance fighter Daniel Cordier, with his handwritten signature on the title page. Extremely rare.
On the cover, a quote from Churchill reads:
“La Restauration de la France comme grande puissance européenne est un devoir sacré dont la Grande-Bretagne ne se laissera jamais détourner…” – “The restoration of France as a great European power is a sacred duty from which Great Britain will never be diverted…”
Throughout the booklet are numerous photographs of Churchill at various events in support of France, from 1938 through the end of the war, accompanied by quotes from speeches he gave about the unbreakable alliance between Britain and France. For example, in 1939: “I can assure you that, as things stand, we need help from France no less than the French need help from Great Britain. For several years, I have felt that the main hope for freedom and security lies in the close union of British and French democracy.” In 1940: “For my part, I have unshakable confidence in the French army. Whether it is every officer or soldier, every brigade or division that seizes the enemy by the throat wherever he meets him, he will contribute unmistakably to the final outcome.” The booklet also highlights Churchill’s worldview that the Vichy regime was, in fact, forced upon France. In 1941, he said: “And everywhere, in occupied France and in unoccupied France (for their fate is the same), these honest people, this great people, the French nation, are rising again. Hope is reawakening in the heart of this warrior race, even disarmed…”. The booklet is filled with countless photographs of Churchill during his visits to France and at events held in support of France throughout the war years.
Daniel Cordier (1920–2020) – French resistance fighter, historian, and art dealer. As a member of Camelots du Roi, he fought for Free France. In June 1940, while with his family in Bescat, Cordier was listening to the radio when Philippe Pétain announced France’s surrender to Germany and the signing of the armistice. In a fit of rage, he distributed a pamphlet against Pétain, and from that moment on, his resistance activity never ceased. He served as secretary to Jean Moulin from 1942 to 1943. He was among the founding members of the National Council of the Resistance on May 27, 1943, and was awarded the title Companion of Liberation in 1944 (a title granted by General de Gaulle to “reward individuals or military and civilian communities who distinguished themselves in the task of liberating France and its empire”). After the war, he became a renowned historian and art collector.
See also item 126.
Extremely rare. The booklet does not appear in the WorldCat global library catalog.
[9] pp. Very good condition.
