Description
Deluxe limited edition of The Democratic Book 1936, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Large folio, 384pp. Full mottled brown steerhide, gilt-lettered title on cover. Archival repairs to spine, lower corners of front panel. Silk endpapers, gilt top edge. Presentation plate on front pastedown endpaper. Front hinge reinforced with linen piece at the title page. Multiple color advertisements throughout. Signed on limitation page by President Franklin Roosevelt, below watercolor portrait of White House, with tissue cover. This is number 517 of 2500 signed copies. This copy is stamped on the cover San Antonio Brewing Association.
This book was published by the Democratic National Committee to raise funds for the party. It was sold for $250, which marked the first time a sitting president had actively helped raise funds for a political party. It created a minor scandal at the time, with Republicans attempting to exploit it to their political advantage during the 1936 election. (Halter T-119) According to Halter, it was likely printed in 1937 and mailed to supporters who contributed.
