Description
First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, inscribed by Eisenhower while President of the United States to a Chicago Industrialist.
Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “First edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, faint rubbing to printed title on spine, a near fine example. Recipients name stamped above signature on the half-title. In the publisher’s dust jacket, $5.00 on front flap, a few short closed tears, solid hinges and bright illustrations.
Inscribed on the half-title: “For Leonard S. Florsheim / with best wishes / from / Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
Includes a TLS from Ann C. Whitman, Personal Secretary to President Eisenhower, on White House stationery, thanking Mr. Florsheim for his letter and acknowledging that President Eisenhower signed his copy of the book.
The recipient of this copy, Leonard S. Florsheim, Jr., was the son of Leonard Florsheim, Sr. (1880-1964), a Chicago based industrialist, who founded the Yellow Cab Company, the Chicago Motor Coach Company and the Omnibus Corporation. The Omnibus Corporation, whom Florsheim founded with his friend, John Hertz, would become the nationwide automobile rental company, the Hertz Corporation. Florsheim, Jr. was a graduate of Dartmouth University and the President of Robertson Photo-Mechanix, Inc.
