Description
The National Old Trails Road: The Great Historic Highway of America, inscribed by former president Harry S. Truman. Truman served as president of the National Old Trails Association during his rise in politics.
Octavo, 284. Textured brown cloth, title stamped in gilt on cover and spine. Solid text block, free of marks or notations. Includes large fold-out map of Route 40, affixed to rear endpaper, measures 15″x 45″. Map has a few short tears at hinges, delicate at folds, but stable.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “To W.H. Edwards, with kind regards and happy memories of the Old Trails. Harry Truman / Independence / March 25, 1958.”
“This is almost like campaigning for President, except that the people are making promises to me instead of the other way around.” – Truman in a letter to Bess, as he traveled the “Old Road” as president of the association. In 1925, following his second defeat for Jackson County Judge, Harry Truman was 41 years old and “completely broke.” He took jobs selling memberships to the Kansas City Automobile Club and as president of the National Old Trails Association. His travels for the Old Trails Association brought him closer to his political constituents and sharpened his political campaigning skills, all necessary for his eventual run for the Senate in Missouri, and future political fortunes.
The National Old Trails Road Association was founded in 1912 to promote the National Old Trails Road, a transcontinental highway running from Baltimore, Maryland to Los Angeles, California. The road follows historic routes, including the National Road and the Santa Fe Trail. The association’s primary objectives included advocating for the road’s improvement and maintenance, facilitating cross-country travel and commerce, and preserving the historical significance of the route. Harry S. Truman, who later became the 33rd President of the United States, served as president of the association from 1926 to 1942.
