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.
Publisher’s dummy copy of On Our Way by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Octavo, 11pp, [unpaginated blanks]. Blue cloth, title in gilt on spine, signature of author in gilt on front panel. Copyright page dated 1934, lacking publishers device found in first trade edition. Red top stain. Contains “Chapter VII” of the forthcoming book, with multiple pages of subscription blanks. In publishers “dummy copy” dust jacket, with $2.50 on front flap, light chipping at edges and toning to spine. Dust jacket differs from trade edition with blurb on front flap noting: “The most significant book of the year,” which was later changed to “This book by the President of the United States is required reading for every citizen.” This edition is not listed in Halter. The only known copy with the scarce dust jacket
Provenance: Originally sold by Swann Auctions in 1952 to Mr. Frederick B. Adams Jr, the director of the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City and respected bibliophile. Includes sales receipt from The Rosenbach Company in 1952 and letter from Jacob Blanck to Mr. Fred Adams with commentary about first edition points.
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.
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.
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.
First edition of The Cincinnati Directory, published in 1819.
Twelvemo, [x], 11-156. Full calf, gilt bands on spine, title rubbed off, some cracking to spine. Lacking the map of Cincinnati. Paper is toned. Includes almanac for 1820.
(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.
Full title: The Cincinnati Directory: Containing Names, Profession And Occupation Of The Inhabitants Of The Town, Alphabetically Arranged; With The Number Of The Building Occupied By Each. Also, An Account of Its Officers, Population, Institutions And Societies, Public Buildings, Manufactures, &c.
