I recently acquired Painting as a Pastime, reprinted 1965.  Across  from the title page is the memorable photo of Mr. Churchill at an easel.   Under this photo is his signature.  The signature seems authentic,  however I am not an expert and am unsure.  For this edition, is there a  signature that has been printed under the photo?  —W.R.

Yes; it’s a printed signature, present in every copy of the book. When Churchill actually signed copies, it would usually be on the first free endpaper, or occasionally on the title page. 

Painting as a Pastime, Churchill’s charming essay on his chief hobby (and other hobbies—he is also big on books) was first published in The Strand magazine in 1921, reprinted in Thoughts and Adventures, and finally published as a volume in its own right in 1948. It has nothing whatever to do with war or politics, and everything to do with having fun. Numerous reprints make it readily available.

For lovers of his paintings, the best book available is Sir Winston Churchill: His Life and His Paintings, by David Coombs and Minnie Churchill, which documents all 550+ paintings, traces their whereabouts, and pictures most of them in full color. 

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