In the News: Palm Beach Bookstore Exhibits Rare Churchill Memorabilia

Now on display at Raptis Rare Books: “A Leader For All Times: Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Churchill’s Charge” opening on May 13, 2020 and running through May 22, 2020 in our Worth Avenue gallery.

The following article was published by the Palm Beach Daily News on May 14, 2020 at 2:10 p.m. By Carla Trivino. Photos by Meghan McCarthy/PalmBeachDailyNews.com

An exhibition honoring Winston S. Churchill at Raptis Rare Books in Palm Beach will feature rare first edition books, photographs and cigars.

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A first edition of “The World Crisis” by Winston S. Churchill is for sale at Raptis Rare Books May 13, 2020 in Palm Beach. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachdailynews.com]

Matthew Raptis and his cigar-smoking buddies have become a Worth Avenue staple. The small cigar-club, composed of local store owners, is usually seen smoking and exchanging friendly passerby greetings on a sunny day.

But there are a few cigars in Raptis’ collection that don’t see the light of day. Such is the case with a rare unsmoked Winston S. Churchill brand La Corona Cigar, which will be on exhibit at his bookstore starting Thursday.

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A menu signed by Winston S. Churchill is on display at Raptis Rare Books. The store is holding an exhibition of Winston S. Churchill to celebrate the 80th anniversary of his appointment as the Prime Minister of England at the onset of WWII. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachdailynews.com]

While local cultural centers remain closed, Raptis Rare Books is hosting an exhibition of rare first edition books, photographs and cigars related to Churchill. The exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of Churchill becoming prime minister on May 10, 1940.

“I love Churchill,” Raptis said of the inspiration behind the exhibition. “I smoke cigars and he did as well. And he’s also a great leader, one of the most important leaders of the 20th century.”

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A cigar and signed photo of Winston S. Churchill that was presented to his children’s nanny is on display at Raptis Rare Books May 13, 2020 in Palm Beach. The store is holding an exhibition of Winston S. Churchill to celebrate the 80th anniversary of his appointment as the Prime Minister of England at the onset of WWII. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachdailynews.com]

Raptis Rare Books Churchill Exhibition May 2020_2

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Raptis Rare Books is holding an exhibition of rare first edition books, photographs, and cigars related to and signed by Winston S. Churchill to celebrate the 80th anniversary of his appointment as the Prime Minister of England at the onset of WWII. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachdailynews.com]

Raptis Rare Books Churchill Exhibition May 2020

[5/5] Raptis Rare Books is holding an exhibition of rare first edition books, photographs, and cigars related to and signed by Winston S. Churchill to celebrate the 80th anniversary of his appointment as the Prime Minister of England at the onset of WWII. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachdailynews.com]

“Romeo Revisited” Signed limited edition print by Churchill’s granddaughter Edwina Sandys

All exhibition pieces are for sale including the paintings by British artist and Churchill’s granddaughter Edwina Sandys.

Exhibition items include the $28,000 cigar, which was a gift from Churchill to his governess Mary Dorgan and comes with a black and white photograph inscribed by Churchill, a $9,500 signed portrait of Churchill by Walter Stoneman, a $4,000 complete first edition set of Churchill’s “The Second World War,” and a $9,200 rare Cartier-printed program signed by Churchill from a March 15, 1946 dinner held in his honor at the Waldorf Astoria.

The exhibition runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 22.