Description
Inscribed by First Lady Nancy Reagan, a special edition of Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics from the library of Dr. William Longmire, Jr. This edition honors Nancy Reagan’s stepfather, Dr. Loyal Davis, who edited the journal for over 40 years.
Folio, 196pp. Full navy blue morocco, title in gilt on front cover. August 1983 publication: Volume 157, Number 2. A special edition, with “Special Issue in Memoriam to Loyal Davis” in gilt on front cover. Solid text block, touch of rubbing to corners, a fine example. The personal copy of Dr. William P. Longmire, Jr., with his name stamped in gilt on front cover.
Inscribed on a White House postcard: “Dear Bill – It’s a beautiful book and very meaningful to me as I’m sure you know – I’ll inscribe it – by now you know our trip has been cut short! Love to you and Jean / Nancy.” Additionally inscribed on the front free endpaper: “To Bill Longmire with my appreciation and affection for remembering my father in this way – Nancy Reagan.”
A beautiful association copy.
Dr. Loyal Davis (1896-1982), a neurosurgeon from Chicago, married Nancy Reagan’s mother, Edith, when Nancy was 8 years old. Davis was Nancy’s father figure, officially adopting her when she was a teenager. She spoke highly of him often, stating he was “a man of great integrity who exemplified old-fashioned values” (My Turn, pp. 74). He became the editor of the Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics scientific journal in 1938 and held the position until his passing in 1982.
The recipient of this copy, Dr. William Longmire, Jr., was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at UCLA from 1938 to 1982. Longmire, Jr. contributed an article to this volume titled “Loyal Davis’ Personal Qualities and Their Influence on American Surgery.”
