The first edition, second printing of The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer, signed by Hollywood activist and star of Citizen Kane, Dorothy Comingore.
Octavo, xiii, 176pp. Gray cloth, title on spine in black. Date code “E-A” on copyright page, lacking first edition statement. Foxing to endpapers, light soiling to cloth covers. Paired with the publisher’s second state dust jacket, $2.50 on front flap, reviews on rear panel, bright illustrations, a near fine copy. Signed in pencil on the front free endpaper by Dorothy Comingore.
Dorothy Comingore (1913-1971) was the breakout star of Citizen Kane, the critically acclaimed film by Orson Welles. As her fame grew, so did the FBI’s attention to her suspected communist activities. In 1952 she declined to answer questions when called in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA), resulting in her being blacklisted from Hollywood. She never worked in Hollywood again and struggled with alcoholism in her later years.
First edition, second printing of Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. From the library of Dorothy Comingore, Hollywood actress and star of Citizen Kane, later blacklisted for her communist sympathies.
Octavo, ix, [1], 278pp. Light blue cloth, title stamped in black and red on spine. Lacking Scribner’s A on copyright page. Light dust remnant along top edge, solid binding, dampstaining to lower corners, with no impact to text block. In the publisher’s dust jacket, $3.00 on front flap, chipping at top of spine, vibrant colors. Signed by Dorothy Comingore on the front free endpaper. An attractive example of one of the best-known works of South African literature.
Dorothy Comingore (1913-1971) was the breakout star of Citizen Kane, the critically acclaimed film by Orson Welles. As her fame grew, so did the FBI’s attention to her suspected communist activities. In 1952 she declined to answer questions when called in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA), resulting in her being blacklisted from Hollywood. She never worked in Hollywood again and struggled with alcoholism in her later years.
First edition of Lincoln Steffens Speaking, from the library of Hollywood actress and communist sympathizer, Dorothy Comingore.
Octavo, xii, 315pp. Black cloth, title stamped in silver. Stated “first edition” on the copyright page. Light wear to cloth, rubbing to spine, toning to leaves. Solid text block. In the publisher’s dust jacket, $2.50 on front flap, chipping to edges, some loss along top edge of front panel, a good example. Signed on the front free endpaper by Dorothy Comingore.
Dorothy Comingore (1913-1971) was the breakout star of Citizen Kane, the critically acclaimed film by Orson Welles. As her fame grew, so did the FBI’s attention to her suspected communist activities. In 1952 she declined to answer questions when called in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA), resulting in her being blacklisted from Hollywood. She never worked in Hollywood again and struggled with alcoholism in her later years.
Second edition of Seventeen Years’ History of the Life and Sufferings of James M’Lean, describing his time as an American under forced conscription in the British Navy.
Small octavo, 27pp, [18]. Three-quarter sheepskin, title in gilt on spine. Marbled paper over boards, with matching marbled endpapers. Stated “Second Edition” on title page. Solid text block, some soiling to covers, foxing to leaves with text printed. (Howes M153) (Sabin 43513)
M’Lean was born in Windsor, Connecticut. In 1798, while sailing in the West Indies, he was impressed into the British Navy. He saw action at the Battle of the Nile, escaped in 1799, and was again impressed and served until 1805 when he again escaped. Serving on a French letter-of-marque he was taken by the British and served in India, the Persian Gulf and in China. He escaped for the final time in 1813 and made his way back to Newport, Rhode Island.
Full title: Seventeen Years’ History of the Life and Sufferings of James M’Lean. An Impressed American Citizen & Seaman. Embracing But A Summary of What He Endured, While Detained In The British Service, During that Long and Painful Period, Written by Himself.
The first edition of Mr. Justice Brandeis, edited by Felix Frankfurter, with the publisher’s scarce dust jacket.
Octavo, vi, [4], 232pp. Green cloth, title stamped in gilt on spine. No additional printings noted. Light spotting to cloth on rear cover. Ownership notation of E.E. Shaw on front free endpaper. In the publisher’s near fine dust jacket, light soiling from handling, rare in this condition.
Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965) was a prominent American jurist and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, he immigrated to the United States as a child and became a naturalized citizen. He played a pivotal role in shaping constitutional law and championed the idea of judicial restraint. Serving on the Supreme Court from 1939 to 1962, Frankfurter’s opinions often reflected his commitment to preserving the Court’s integrity and the separation of powers. His writings include: The Business of the Supreme Court: A Study in the Federal Judicial System (1927), Mr. Justice Holmes and the Supreme Court (1931) – Frankfurter’s tribute to his mentor, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and Of Law and Men (1956).
First edition of The Cincinnati Directory, published in 1819. Twelvemo, [x]11-156. Original publishers leather binding, gilt bands on spine, title rubbed off, some cracking to spine. Missing map on front endpaper. Paper is toned. Includes almanac for 1820.
First edition of Felix Frankfurter Reminisces: Recorded In Talks With Dr. Harlan B. Phillips and inscribed by Justice Frankfurter.
Octavo, ix, 310pp. Blue cloth, title stamped in gilt on spine over red print. The first printing, with no additional printings noted on copyright page. Bookplate on front endpaper, internally clean. In the publishers first state dust jacket, price clipped, no additional printing noted on front flap, light sunning to spine, a near fine example.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “For Elizabeth Kenney, whose horizons are evidently wider even than the vast reaches of the Supreme Court, with the good wishes of Felix Frankfurter / June 2, 1960.” Elizabeth Kenney was the secretary to Associate Justice Potter Stewart.
Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965) was a prominent American jurist and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, he immigrated to the United States as a child and became a naturalized citizen. He played a pivotal role in shaping constitutional law and championed the idea of judicial restraint. Serving on the Supreme Court from 1939 to 1962, Frankfurter’s opinions often reflected his commitment to preserving the Court’s integrity and the separation of powers. His writings include: “The Business of the Supreme Court: A Study in the Federal Judicial System” (1927), “Mr. Justice Holmes and the Supreme Court” (1931) – Frankfurter’s tribute to his mentor, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and “Of Law and Men” (1956).
The surest way to guarantee you’re getting an authentic signed copy of a presidential book is to seek out a limited edition printing. At first glance, you’ll come across material from Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Richard Nixon, who were prolific signers during and after their presidency.
Its common to find a signed limited edition from President Nixon, number XX of 2500. But when you’ve been researching this field for many years, you’ll realize that unique limited edition items do exist. Here are some examples that got us excited when we came across them.
- Mr. Citizen by President Harry Truman. This signed book can be found on the market in a limited edition of 1000 copies, but this edition here was held back for the author. Only 100 were printed for Mr. Truman.
- That Shining Hour by Patricia Kennedy Lawford. This unassuming book was produced for members of the Kennedy Family and supporters shortly after the death of Robert Kennedy. Most are signed by a member of the Kennedy family but unsigned, they are still a unique presidential item.
- Read My Lips: No New Taxes by Dan Ostrander. This book, which details the 1990 budget deal, was published in limited edition form by Butte College Press in 1990. There were 175 signed copies of the clothbound edition, signed by President Bush. An additional 26 copies, bound in leather, were produced as gifts for the publishers. This was a surprise after years of collecting George Bush limited editions.
- Address of the President at the Opening of the Conference on the Japanese Peace Treaty by Harry Truman. This limited edition of 60 copies was bound by the Government Printing Office as Christmas Gifts for President Truman. These have occasionally surfaced on the market, but are rare, to say the least.
- Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy. Published as a gift for family and political allies, 100 copies of President Kennedy’s important inaugural addresses were printed and signed. One of the most unique limited editions available on the market.
The first Cincinnati Directory, published in 1819, with the scarce “Plan of Cincinnati” map.
Twelvemo, [x], [11]-156pp, [3]. Period tree calf, title in gilt on spine, decorative gilt bands, both hinges starting. Printed by Morgan, Lodge & Company. Mount St. Joseph Library label on front free endpaper, no other indications of library usage. Boards heavily worn. Occasional toning and foxing throughout. Includes almanac for 1820 at preface, as expected. Complete with the “Plan of Cincinnati”, dated 1819, with two tape repairs, minimal toning, solid hinges, a bright example. Housed in custom green cloth clamshell. A scarce work.
(Thompson, 196) (Howes C409) (Sabin 13085)
This first directory of Cincinnati details the local government, distilleries, canal systems, shipping project and prominent citizens. It was followed by a second edition in 1825, but only a small number were printed, making them exceptionally scarce.
Octavo, xxiv, 266pp. Red cloth, title printed in yellow on spine and cover. Illustrated endpapers with maps of South Pacific naval operations. Stated “fourth printing” on copyright page. Publishers dust jacket, near fine, with $4.50 price on front flap, illustrated on both sides of dust jacket, small nicks along edges, light toning to spine, shelf wear along top edge of front panel. Inscribed on dedication page: “To Mr. + Mrs. Stanley Kresge. Courtesy of Sky Pilots of America.” Additional signature by Japanese flyer, Mitsuo Fuchida, on slip affixed to dedication page.
Comments: Mitsuo Fuchida was a notorious Japanese flying ace, who commanded the air attack against Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. After the war, he converted to Christianity and become a United States citizen.
First edition of The Vantage Point by President Lyndon B. Johnson, inscribed to Governor George Romney, just days before Johnson’s death.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. Remnants of tape on copyright page, title page and front endpaper. Two folded pages (204-5), possibly an error by the publisher. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, faint toning to spine. Some separation of glassine cover along top edge, which is common with this dust jacket.
The book is inscribed: “For Governor George Romney, Whose concern for his fellowman excites me. With admiration & respect, Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ Ranch. Jan. 9, 1973.” Also includes two paragraphs of notes by George Romney, detailing his meeting with Lyndon Johnson in 1973.
At this point in his career, former Governor George Romney was serving as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for President Richard Nixon, but with Nixon winning a second term, Romney had decided to resign.
The following are the notes from Governor George Romney regarding his January 9th, 1973 meeting with President Johnson at the LBJ Ranch.
Notes are written opposite the title page: “Flying from L.B.J. Ranch to Dallas. / President Johnson visited with me for three hours. He indicated the largest amount of legislation in history, passed by a single Pres. (passed by him) was as a result of crisis. He indicated that even though he had support of most groups, it took a crisis to get action. This included the open housing legislation passed following Martin Luther King’s assassination. Three weeks before he had refused the request of all Civil Rights leaders to issue an open housing executive order and told Clarence Mitchell it would take ten years to get such legislation. / Pres. Johnson said when I talked about basic reform being dependent on a crisis he almost interrupted to say ‘amen.’ The Concerned Citizen Movement I outlined he described as being as being [sic] ‘right on target.’ He gave me names and was willing to advise on the organizing leadership group. / In describing his problems as President he said his greatest problem was communication. That Nixon was better – deserved an A – compared to D for him – but that Nixon is now in trouble. / Of great interest was his account of almost withdrawing from re-nomination a day before the 1964 Convention and Lady Bird’s letter to him while in a Nat. Security Meeting. George Romney.”Â
Full Text of George Romney inscription.
First edition of Eisenhower and Berlin, 1945: The Decision to Halt at the Elbe by Stephen Ambrose.
Small octavo, 119pp. Red cloth, title stamped in gilt on spine. Stated first edition with full number line on copyright page. From The Norton Essays in American History collection. In publisher’s near fine dust jacket, $4.00 on front flap, small chip at corner of spine, otherwise a fine example.
One of the earliest works by noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose. In 1964, Ambrose was hired by Johns Hopkins to organize and publish the papers of Dwight D. Eisenhower. While doing so, he wrote an article in critical response to The Last Battle by Cornelius Ryan, defending Eisenhower. This article was expanded in 1967 into this book, one of the earliest by the famed historian. He would go on to write the influential D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climatic Battle of World War II, Citizen Soldiers, Undaunted Courage and Band of Brothers.
Octavo, light brown calf, gilt title on cover. 100s of black and white illustration of Union Terminal. Rebound copy in leather local Cincinnati citizen. An attractive copy.
Comments: An interesting piece of Cincinnati history in an attractive presentation.
Khrushev: A Career by Edward Crankshaw, signed by the son of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushev, Sergei Khrushev. Octavo, 31pp. Black cloth, title printed in green and gold on spine. In a near fine book club edition dust jacket. Signed on the front free endpaper by Sergei Khrushev and dated 4/28/94.
Comments: Sergei Khrushev is a retired Russian engineer and author. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1999. He authored Khrushchev on Khrushchev ? An Inside Account of the Man and His Era, by His Son, Sergei Khrushchev and numerous other books on his father.
First edition of Eisenhower and Berlin, 1945: The Decision to Halt at the Elbe by Stephen Ambrose. Illustrated paperback, 119pp. Illustrated boards, light wear along top edge. Stated first edition with full number line on copyright page. From the Norton Essays in American History collection.
Comments: One of the earliest works by noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose. He would go on to write the influential D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climatic Battle of World War II, Citizen Soldier, Undaunted Courage and Band of Brothers.
