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Crusade In Europe [Korstag I Europa]

Crusade In Europe by Dwight Eisenhower, first swedish edition.

The first Swedish edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight Eisenhower, inscribed by his influential special assistant, Kevin McCann.

Octavo, 583pp. Brown leather spine, marbled boards, title in gilt over red morocco label, embossed bands. Top edge pink. Intermittent edgewear with 1 cm closed tear along top edge of spine. Illustrated endpapers with typical first edition maps of WWII Europe, in Swedish text.

Book is from the library of Kevin McCann, who served as advisor and speechwriter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Inscription on front endpaper reads: “Despite page 511, the correct way to spell my name is Kevin McCann.”

Kevin McCann met future President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1946, while he was serving as Army Chief of Staff at the Pentagon. He followed General Eisenhower to Columbia University, then to Paris when Eisenhower was appointed the Supreme Allied Commander. In Paris, McCann served as special assistant to the General, assisting in the preparation of his influential memoirs, Crusade in Europe.

McCann was appointed President of Defiance College in 1951, but soon took a leave of absence to follow Eisenhower to the White House as a speech writer.

When President Eisenhower retired to Gettysburg, PA, McCann and his wife moved to the Eisenhower farm to serve as Special Assistant to the former president, helping to write his memoirs. According to records from the Eisenhower Library, there were 32 limited edition copies of Crusade In Europe, bound in red morocco, delivered to world leaders and influential supporters in 1948. People on this list included Winston Churchill, George C. Marshall, Omar Bradley and Kevin McCann.

Crusade in Europe

“…with the hope that she will not find this book, by an old solider, a complete bore. With best wishes, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, with a great inscription to the daughter of William E. Robinson; Eisenhower’s longtime friend who persuaded him to write this book.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, a few points of soiling within the text block. In the publisher’s dust jacket, $5.00 on front flap, shelf wear to covers, rubbing to heel of spine, light foxing to verso, solid hinges and bright illustrations.

Inscribed on the dedication page: “For Wilma Robinson – with the hope that she will not find this book, by an old solider, a complete bore. With best wishes, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

This copy is inscribed to Wilma, the daughter of William E. Robinson, a newspaper executive with the New York Herald Tribune, and President of Coca-Cola, Inc., from 1954-1961. General Eisenhower met Robinson in 1944 in Europe, where they began a close friendship that would last until their deaths in 1969. Shortly after the war, Robinson persuaded Eisenhower to write this memoir, Crusade in Europe, and made arrangements for its publication in 1948. Shortly after the publication of this book, Robinson arranged Eisenhower’s first trip to Augusta National Golf Club.

As an executive at the Herald Tribune, Robinson prevailed upon the owner, Helen Rogers Reid, to have the newspaper support the presidential candidacy of General Eisenhower, prior to his nomination in 1952. Robinson remained a trusted friend of Eisenhower throughout his presidency, one of the few friends who did not seek personal or political gain from being close to the president. The recipient of this copy, Wilma Ellen Robinson Ewert (1931-2019) was a graduate of Syracuse University and the only daughter of Mr. Robinson.

Crusade In Europe

Deluxe limited edition of Crusade In Europe, signed and inscribed by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Octavo, [4pp], xiv, [2pp], 559pp, [2pp blank], blue morocco, gilt title on spine, five raised bands, illustration of flaming sword on cover. Top edge gilt, uncut edges. Minor toning to blue morocco on spine, as is typical with this type of binding. Stated first edition on copyright page. Includes 16 photographic plates, 4 color maps and 38 illustrated maps. Endpapers with color maps of Europe and Mediterranean theaters. Housed in original slipcase, with cloth a bit faded and some shelf wear. Signed by Dwight Eisenhower on facsimile D-Day order, bound in before title page. Additional signature on half title by Dwight D. Eisenhower: “To Captain E.P. Aurand / with all the best from his friend / Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Captain Evan Peter (E.P.) Aurand was a Naval Aide to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. His duties included running Camp David and the White House Mess.

There were two presentation bindings of Crusade in Europe produced for distribution by author, Dwight D. Eisenhower. One presentation edition was bound in red morocco shortly after publication in 1948 and given to influential world leaders and supporters. It is believed that 26 copies of the red morocco binding were produced. The blue morocco presentation binding, this book being one of those, was produced by the Whitman Bennett Bindery. It is believed that only 11 copies were produced in blue morocco.

Crusade in Europe

First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, inscribed to his friend and WWI comrade, G. Gray Garland.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, light rubbing to spine. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, very good condition, $5.00 on front flap, wear along top edge, short closed tear to front panel, light toning to spine, a bright example.

Signed on the half-title: “For Gray Garland – with best wishes and warm regard from a comrade and friend of The First World War. Dwight D. Eisenhower. January 1, 1949.”

During World War I, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower served alongside the recipient of this book, Captain G. Gray Garland, becoming lifelong friends. The two officers were stationed together at Camp Colt in Gettysburg, PA, which was Eisenhower’s first command, training tank crews for combat in France. This signed copy of Crusade in Europe was set aside to be inscribed by General Eisenhower, with records from the Eisenhower Library showing that it was the 124th copy personally signed by the author. “There are mighty few men as busy as Ike who would take the time to remember and write an old friend. I have never known a finer character. I hope to see him in the White House.” G. Gray Garland, 1948.

Crusade in Europe

First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, inscribed to Rep. Carl Vinson, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, heavy rubbing to spine, wear to cloth at top edge of spine. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, likely matched with the book, in very good condition, $5.00 on front flap, chipping at spine, light toning to spine, a bright example. Housed in custom blue leather clamshell.

Signed on the half-title: “For The Honorable Carl Vinson – with admiration and high esteem to a statesman who has effectively interested himself for more than three decades in the security of our country. From his friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower.” An exceptional association copy, which was gifted to Vinson’s Pentagon liaison from the Air Force in 1964, then passed down through the family.

This signed copy of Crusade in Europe was set aside to be inscribed by General Eisenhower, with records from the Eisenhower Library showing that Rep. Carl Vinson and his entire committee received personalized copies. Representative Carl Vinson (1883-1981) served for more than 50 years in the House of Representatives. As chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, he was called “the Father of the Two-Ocean Navy,” as he was responsible for the expansion of the United States Navy in the buildup to World War II. Vinson worked closely with Eisenhower in the years following World War II, continuing to advocate for military preparedness. For his contributions to the nation, the USS Carl Vinson was named in his honor, being christened in 1980.

Crusade in Europe

Signed copy of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Twelvemo, 573pp. Maroon cloth, tan spine, title stamped in red on spine. Known as the “Garden City Books Edition 1952,” as stated on copyright page. Eisenhower postage stamp affixed to front pastedown endpaper, illustration by Norman Rockwell affixed to rear pastedown endpaper. Some general toning, a near fine example. In the publisher’s dust jacket, $1.25 on front flap, chipping along both edges, tape repair to verso, sunning to spine, a very good example. This copy is signed on the front free endpaper: “For David C. Ebaugh – with best wishes. Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

A scarce signed printing of President Eisenhower’s Crusade in Europe, with only two other known copies appearing on the public market.

Crusade in Europe

Signed first edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, signed by First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, very good condition, $5.00 on front flap, wear along top edge, light toning to spine. Signed by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower on the half-title. An exceptionally scarce copy signed by the First Lady.

Crusade In Europe

Limited edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Octavo, [xiv], 559pp, tan buckram, gilt title over black on spine. Illustrated endpapers. Top edge gilt, uncut edges. In publisher’s original glassine jacket, with some chipping at top edge from handling, otherwise a nice example. Lacking the slipcase. This book is from a limited edition of 1426 copies signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This copy is number 1392 of 1426.

Crusade in Europe

Signed limited edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Tan buckram, gilt title over black on spine. Illustrated endpapers. Top edge gilt, uncut edges. In the publisher’s original acetate jacket, chip along top edge, light toning to spine, a very good example. Lacking slipcase.

This book is a limited edition of 1426 copies signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is number 1054 of 1426. A fine example.

An excellent example of this important work by President Eisenhower.

Crusade in Europe

First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Lacking dust jacket.

A fine example.

Crusade in Europe

Signed first edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Rubbing to the spine, with some loss to the black title label. Solid text block. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $5.00 on front flap, light sunning and chipping to the tips of the spine, wear along top edge, a very good example. Signed on the half-title: “For Stephen J. Antosy, with best wishes, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Stephen J. Antosy III was a World War II combat veteran, participating in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he was a war correspondent for the Armed Forces Network, covering the Nuremberg Trials. He and his wife eventually settled in Pasadena, CA.

Crusade in Europe

Signed limited edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, inscribed to his lead nurse at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in 1955 after suffering a heart attack .

Octavo, xiv, 559pp. Tan buckram, gilt title over black on spine. Illustrated endpapers. Top edge gilt, uncut edges. In the publisher’s original acetate jacket, light toning at spine, chip to lower edge, a near fine example. In the publisher’s slipcase, light soiling to all panels, some shelf wear, solid seams. From a limited edition of 1426 copies signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this being number 468.

Additional inscription by President Eisenhower: “For: Lieut. Lorraine Knox – With lasting appreciation of devoted and competent service at Fitzsimons Hospital in the autumn of 1955; – and with kindest regard and best wishes from her friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower.” An exceptional association copy

On September 24, 1955, President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while vacationing in Denver, Colorado. He was taken to Fitzsimons Army Hospital, where he spent the next seven weeks convalescing. During his time at Fitzsimons, his lead nurse was Army 1st Lt. Lorraine P. Knox, who devoted herself to his care. At the request of Eisenhower, the two remained friends after leaving the hospital, frequently exchanging gifts and letters. In one letter from March 1956, two days after announcing his plans to run again for president, Eisenhower wrote to Lt. Knox: “There have been times, these past few weeks, when I could have wished myself back on the 8th Floor, under your care. Cross word puzzles are not as difficult a job as I had. D.” Copies of correspondence from the Eisenhower Presidential Library are included with this book.

Crusade in Europe

Signed edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a custom deluxe binding.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Full blue morocco, decorative raised bands, presidential seal in gilt on side panel. Five gilt-decorated raised bands, title in gilt on spine. Stated “De Luxe Bound Edition” in gilt on spine, a custom binding. Illustrated endpapers. Some wear along joints, faint rubbing to corners. Solid text block.

Signed on the half-title: “For Josephine Murray / with best wishes and warm greetings from Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Crusade in Europe

First edition of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

A near fine example.

Crusade in Europe

Signed first edition, first printing of Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition, which was published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, internally clean, a fine example. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, price clipped, bright illustrations, a near fine example.

Signed on the half-title: “For James _, with best wishes, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

An exceptional copy.