Description
Signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, the first edition of his State of the Union Address, delivered to both houses of Congress on December 3, 1907.
Octavo, [2], 63pp. Publisher’s blue cloth, title stamped in gilt on front cover. Uncut and unopened leaves. Light wear to cloth covers, wear at tips of spine.
Signed by President Roosevelt at the end of the address, on page 63. A scarce work, exceptionally rare signed.
This work is the seventh annual message that President Roosevelt delivered to Congress. It was read in full to both houses but not by Roosevelt himself, as later State of the Union addresses would be. The 30,000 word address touched on numerous priorities of the Progressive Era, including: labor reforms and the eight-hour workday (p. 21), new child labor laws (p. 23), establishment of the National Gallery of Art (p. 41), and fitness standards for the military (p. 49). Roosevelt also addressed statehood for Oklahoma, which had been created only days prior, on November 16, 1907. On the international front, Roosevelt pushed for loan relief with China and improved relations with Chinese students.
