“There is nobody alive today whom all the Kennedy’s respect and admire as they do you.” – Eunice Kennedy Shriver to President Herbert Hoover in 1953.
This is a first printing of The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover, inscribed to Eunice Kennedy Shriver upon her marriage to Sargent Shriver.
Octavo, xi, 496pp. Red morocco, title in gilt on spine, decorative bands. Stated “first printing” on copyright page. Some wear to edges of spine. Red endpapers. This leather-bound copy is likely sets specially produced for President Hoover’s personal use, but there is no record of how many were printed for him. Inscribed on the light blue front endpaper by President Herbert Hoover: “To Eunice Kennedy – The daughter of a great American and my constant friend. This is also to mark my good wishes to you, in this the greatest adventure in life that can come to you. Herbert Hoover.”
Comments: In 1953, President Herbert Hoover was invited to the wedding of Eunice Kennedy to Sargent Shriver. He sent his regrets, but inscribed a full set of his personal memoirs to Eunice Kennedy. She treasured the gift, writing to Hoover that “these books are the proudest possession of our married life…” According to Hoover Library records, President Hoover inscribed this volume (Years of Adventure 1874-1920) and signed the other two volumes. The other two volumes are not included in this lot.
Signed first edition of War Or Peace by John Foster Dulles, inscribed to Life Magazine photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Octavo, vi, [2], 274pp. Blue cloth, title printed in red on spine and front cover. Stated “first printing” on copyright page. In publisher’s very good dust jacket, $2.50 on front flap, wear along edges, fold to top edge of rear panel, exceptionally bright colors. Inscribed by the author: “To Alfred Eisenstaedt, With best wishes from John Foster Dulles. April 18, 1950.”
In early 1950, Life Magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt accepted an invitation by John Foster Dulles to photograph him at his Duck Island retreat on Lake Ontario. Dulles had just finished his short appointment as Senator from New York and had finished this book, War or Peace, a critical analysis of the American policy of containment. Within a few years of Eisenstaedt’s photographs, President Dwight D. Eisenhower would select Dulles to serve as his Secretary of State in 1953.
First edition of The FBI Story: A Report to the People by Don Whitehead, inscribed by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to the founder of the AFL-CIO, George Meany.
Octavo, xiv, 368pp. Gray cloth over black hardcover, title stamped in gilt on spine. Stated “first printing” on copyright page. Top edge dyed pink. Remnant of dampstain to rear endpaper, solid text block. Light rubbing to cloth, wear along bottom edge of front board. In publisher’s near fine dust jacket, retail price on front flap, bright colors and illustrations. Signed on the front free endpaper: “To George Meany, With cordial regards, J. Edgar Hoover. 11.16.56.”
George Meany was an American labor leader for most of his life. He was a key figure in the creation of the AFL-CIO, serving as its first president from 1955-1979. Meany was an ardent anti-Communist. His address to the FBI Graduating Class of 1956 is featured in this book, where he says “any system of government in which a party is the government – particularly when there is only one party with absolute power over every walk of life – cannot be government by law.” His anti-Communist stance and efforts to fight Mafia influence in organized labor were supported by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. George Meany died in 1980.
Limited edition of the Memoirs of Harry Truman, in slipcases, inscribed to American historian and author, Thomas Fleming.
Thick octavo, [in two volumes], xi, 596pp; xi, 594pp. Blue leather, title in gilt on spine of each volume. Top edge gilt. Each volume in a publisher’s cardboard slipcase, title on label affixed to side. This leather-bound set was produced for the personal use of President Harry Truman when he maintained an office at the Truman Presidential Library. Only a handful of signed sets are known to exist, all given to close associates and family members of President Truman. The remaining volumes were eventually sold by the library as unsigned sets. (Burns 0016)
Inscribed in Volume I: “To Tom Fleming, With kindest regards and appreciation of his friends, Harry S. Truman.” Additional inscription in Volume II: “To Tom Fleming, Best of luck and a happy life. Harry S. Truman.”
Thomas Fleming (1927-2017) was a well-known historian and author in 1970 when he was selected to assist Margaret Truman in writing and researching her biography of her father, President Harry Truman. Over a period of 8 days in 1970, Fleming and Margaret Truman sat with President Truman in his library in Independence, Missouri, going over the intimate details of his life. It was an informal affair but provided the background needed to write the biography. The biography, simply titled Harry S. Truman, would go on to become a national bestseller in 1972. Fleming would assist Margaret Truman in her research for subsequent books, including Women of Courage (1976) , Bess W. Truman (1986) and First Ladies (1995).
Handwritten letter from former President Jimmy Carter to American naturalist and wolf expert, Richard McIntyre, dated September 14, 1981.
Framed letter, measures 30″ x 16″. Buckram cloth matte, museum glass, includes two color photographs and two dry flies. Framed in Bozeman Montana. The letter is thanking Mr. McIntyre for making Carter’s visit to Montana so enjoyable. While in Montana, President Carter, Amy Carter and Rosalynn Carter went fly fishing at Poindexter Slough, one of the finest spring creeks in North America. President Carter was on his way to a three-week stay in China, with this short stop in Montana for some relaxation. A fine piece.
The recipient of this letter, Mr. Richard (Rich) McIntyre, is a celebrated wolf experts in North America. McIntyre has spent his life working for the National Park Service, and in 1994, he arrived at Yellowstone National Park. His wolf expertise has led him to be featured on 60-Minutes and NPR.
He is the author of numerous books including Denali National Park: An Island in Time (Albion, 1986), Grizzly Cub: Five Years in the Life of a Bear (Alaska Northwest, 1990), A Society of Wolves: National Parks and the Battle over the Wolf (Voyager Press, 1993, 1996) and War against the Wolf: America’s Campaign to Exterminate the Wolf (Voyager Press, 1993, 1996).
First edition of Hunting at High Altitudes by George Bird Grinnell, in the scarce dust jacket.
Octavo, 511pp. Red cloth, title in silver on front cover and spine. No additional printings listed on copyright page. Solid text block, silver rubbed on spine, previous ownership stamp on front free endpaper, a near fine example. Complete with 16 full-page plates, including frontispiece with tissue. In the publisher’s scarce dust jacket, $2.50 retail price on spine, foxing to rear cover, professional restoration on verso to flap folds, spine, and edges.
George Bird Grinnell (1849-1938), Ph.D. dedicated his life to the study of Native American life and conservation work, both through legal steps and personal exploration. The Boone and Crockett Club was established in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell, with the goal of ethically managing and conserving wildlife.
The Theodore Roosevelt Classics Library of Hunting & Outdoor Adventure by The Palladium Press, the complete 15-volume set.
Octavo, [15 Volumes]. Publisher’s full brown leather, title in gilt on spine and front cover. All edges gilt, marbled endpapers. A few points of shelf wear, a near fine set. Complete in 15 volumes from The Palladium Press. Includes the following 15 volumes: African Game Trails, Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman, Life Histories of African Game Animals (Volume I and II), Through the Brazilian Wilderness, Forgotten Tails and Vanquished Trails, Trailing the Giant Panda, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, A Sentimental Safari by Kermit Roosevelt, A Book-Lover’s Holiday in the Open, The Wilderness Hunter, The Happy Hunting-Grounds, Good Hunting, and Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail.
Theodore Roosevelt served as the 26th President of the United States. He was a prolific author, writing more than 18 books during his lifetime, beginning with The Naval War of 1812 in 1882. His other notable works include The Winning of the West, African Game Trails and The Rough Riders. This is a complete collection of all his writings, in 24 separate volumes, produced after his death in 1919.
The first American edition of War by Ludwig Renn, in the publisher’s scarce first state dust jacket.
Octavo, [4], 342pp. Black cloth, title stamped in white and red on cover. No additional printings noted on copyright page. Appears unread. Top edge dyed red. Illustrated endpapers, previous ownership inscription on front endpaper. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $2.50 on front flap, bright illustrations, a fine example.
Ludwig Renn (pseud. Arnold F. V. von Golßenau) authored the novel “War” (“Krieg”), first published in 1928 by Verlag Die Schmiede in Berlin. This work is a fictional account based on Renn’s personal experiences as a German officer during World War I. The narrative offers an unvarnished portrayal of the life of soldiers in the trenches, and the brutal realities of war. “War” has been recognized for its anti-war stance and realistic depiction of military life, contributing significantly to the genre of war literature.
First American Edition of Beyond Tears by Irmgard Litten.
Octavo, xviii, 325pp. Blue cloth, title in gilt on spine. Top edge pink. No additional printings listed on copyright page. Ownership bookplate affixed to front end paper. In publisher’s scarce first edition dust jacket, $2.75 price on front flap, toning to spine, some loss at top edge of spine but not affecting text.
This work was originally published in France, but was quickly translated to English, with the first American edition being published the same year as the English edition, titled A Mother Fights Hitler.
Beyond Tears is the story of Hans Litten, a German lawyer who represented opponents of the Nazi Regime, as told by his mother, Irmgard Litten. Hans notoriously subpoenaed Adolf Hitler in 1931, where he cross-examined him for 3-hours. Hitler was so rattled by the experience that he refused to allow the Litten name to be spoken in his presence. During the aftermath of the Reichstag fire in 1933, Hans was rounded up and sent to a concentration camp, where he would spend the rest of his life.
First edition of Whilomville Stories by Stephen Crane. Octavo, vi, [2], 199pp. Publishers original green cloth, gilt title on spine, color illustration on front. Toning to spine, shelf wear at ends. All first edition points present. (Williams/Starrett, 26).
Comments: Stephen Crane was a prolific American writer during the late 19th century. Most notable for his works in the “realist” tradition, he was an inspiration for writers throughout the 20th century, including Ernest Hemingway. He lived a short life, dying at the age of 29 in 1900.
Octavo, 278pp, 8 illustrations. Publishers original red cloth binding, gilt title on spine, gilt and silver swords on cover. Sunning to spine. Former owners bookplate on front endpaper.
Comments: Stephen Crane was a prolific American writer during the late 19th century. Most notably known for his works in the “realist” tradition, he was an inspiration for writers throughout the 20th century, including Ernest Hemingway. He lived a short life, dying at the age of 29 in 1900.
First edition of Pipetown Sandy, signed by the author and composer, John Philip Sousa.
Octavo, 383pp. Olive green cloth, gilt title on spine, illustrations on front cover. Illustrations throughout (12). Shelf wear to covers and spine. Inscribed on title page by John Philip Sousa, dated 1926.
John Philip Sousa was an American composer, best known for creating “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Semper Fidelis” for the Marine Corps. Sousa wrote three novels throughout his life, including this one, Pipetown Sandy.
First American edition of Samuel Johnson’s Journey To The Western Island Of Scotland, published in 1810. Twelvemo, [iv], 284pp. Leather binding, gilt title over red morocco on spine. Significant wear to spine, cracking at hinges. Evidence of prior water damage to rear endpapers. Text generally clean, light toning as expected with age. Bookplate from “Cony Female Academy” of Augusta. Pencil marks on front free papers.
Comments: This book follows the travels of Samuel Johnson as he explored Scotland in the late summer and autumn of 1773. He was accompanied on the voyage by James Boswell, who would later go on to write The Life of Samuel Johnson, a notable biography.
First edition of The Horsecatcher, signed by Mari Sandoz. Octavo, 192pp. Light brown cloth, printed title on spine, illustration of horses on front cover. Dust jacket near fine, light shelf wear, small tear along spine seam, price of $2.75 on front flap. Ex-library copy, with withdrawn stamp on title page. Signed by the author on front end paper.
Comments: Novelist Mari Susette Sandoz was one of the 20th centuries foremost writers on Western pioneer life and the Plains Indians. Originally from Nebraska, she moved to Denver and then New York City after controversial writings about the people of her home state. She is best known for her biography of Crazy Horse, written from the viewpoint of the Lakota Indians, a novel concept at the time. Story Catcher was Sandoz’s first novel about American Indians.
Small octavo, 118pp. Red cloth, printed title on spine, illustration of Sioux on front cover. Publishers dust jacket in very good condition, price clipped, chipping to top edge, bottom of spine, shelf wear. Signed by the author on front end paper.
Comments: Novelist Mari Susette Sandoz was one of the 20th centuries foremost writers on Western pioneer life and the Plains Indians. Originally from Nebraska, she moved to Denver and then New York City after controversial writings about the people of her home state. She is best known for her biography of Crazy Horse, written from the viewpoint of the Lakota Indians, a novel concept at the time. These were the Sioux was written during a time of great interested in Native American history.
