Description
A limited edition printing of The Inaugural Address of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, limited to 150 copies, printed by The Harbor Press for private distribution.
The first appearance of his first inaugural address in book form.
Octavo, [1], 14pp, [2]. Gray wrappers, bound at spine with linen thread. Title printed on front cover. Title page with black text and blue decorative illustration. Uncut edges, printed on gray paper stock. Blemish on back cover, not affecting text. Issued without dust jacket. A fine copy, designed by John S. Fass for Roland Wood. (Halter T-548) From a limited edition of 150 copies, not individually numbered. (Horowitz, 47).
This printing of the 1933 Inaugural Address followed a limited edition presentation edition of 10 copies, bound in full calfskin, for the personal use of FDR. (Halter T-546) No copies of the full calfskin edition have appeared on the market since publication.
Provenance: From the private collection of Frederick B. Adams, bibliographer of President Roosevelt and director of the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. His collection was sold by Sotheby’s in 2001.
From Halter: The Harbor Press edition of FDR’s First Inaugural was taken from a stenographic transcript and thus incorporated the many last-minute changes Roosevelt made to his text. It “is therefore the first appearance in book form of the First Inaugural as listeners actually heard it delivered.”
Upon receipt of the books, President Roosevelt wrote to The Harbor Press, noting: “This volume reflects high credit upon the producers. The quality of this publication, both from the standpoint of binding and typography, is outstanding. I shall treasure it.”
