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 The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, inscribed by President Johnson to Bill Jordan, the Administrative Assistant to Senator Richard B. Russell.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Light rubbing to spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, short closed tear to rear panel. Some separation of glassine cover along the back panel, which is typical with this dust jacket.
This copy is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on a bookplate: “For Bill Jordan, Without whom it couldn’t have been – And in whom I take great pride and pleasure. With affection and gratitude. Lyndon B. Johnson.”
William “Bill” Jordan (1929-2015) served for 13 years as the Administrative Assistant to Senator Richard B. Russell. Senator Lyndon Johnson was the prot?g? of Richard Russell, with Russell helping to pave the way for Johnson to become Senator Majority Leader. Johnson and Russell often dined together, with Bill Jordan being a frequent companion and first-person witness to history. Jordan went on to serve on the professional staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, retiring in 1980.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Light rubbing to spine, dust remnant along top edge of text block. Stated “First Edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, short closed tear to rear panel, some separation of glassine cover along back panel, which is typical with this dust jacket, faint dampstain to verso of jacket but no impact to book. Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with laid-in First Edition Circle bookmark.
Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
Signed limited edition copy of The Vantage Point by President Lyndon Johnson, with an additional inscription to his friend, Jay Taylor of Texas.
Octavo, x, [2pp], 636pp. Red padded vellum, title stamped on spine, initials and decorative band in gilt on cover. Cracking along hinges of cover, stable binding. Cracking of hinges is common with this limited edition due to the vellum used during production. Internally clean. Housed in custom red cloth clamshell, title in gilt on spine over black morocco label.
A scarce limited edition printing signed by President Johnson for supporters and members of his administration. This is number 89 of 300 signed copies.
Additional inscription on dedication page: “For Jay Taylor / a dear friend through the years – one who went all the way – all the time – cheerfully and without apology – with affection / Lyndon B. Johnson / ‘Xmas ’71.”
Jay Littleton Taylor (1902-1982) was a lifelong friend, benefactor, and political advisor to President Lyndon Johnson. Taylor began his career as a truck driver for Halliburton, working his way up to Executive Vice President by the time he was 30 years old. During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt appointed Taylor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and later the Chairman of the Texas Reserve Bank. Later in life, he went into cattle ranching, becoming the President of the American National Cattlemen’s Association. Taylor was a frequent guest at the Johnson White House and at the LBJ Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Taylor died in 1979.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated first edition on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, short closed tear to front hinge, some separation of glassine cover, which is typical with this dust jacket, a very good example. Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with laid-in First Edition Circle bookmark.
Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
Signed first edition of The Vantage Point by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated first edition on copyright page. Foxing along top edge of text block, light internal foxing. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, some separation of glassine cover along the spine, which is typical with this dust jacket.
This copy is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on a presidential bookplate: “To Don Duncan / from his friend / Lyndon B. Johnson / Xmas ’72.”
Signed limited edition copy of The Vantage Point by President Lyndon Johnson, with an additional inscription to Gov. Carl E. Sanders of Georgia.
Octavo, x, [2pp], 636pp. Red padded vellum, title stamped on spine, initials and decorative band in gilt on cover. Cracking along hinges of cover, stable binding. Cracking of hinges is common with this limited edition due to the materials used during production. Internally clean. Housed in custom red cloth clamshell, title in gilt on spine.
This is a scarce limited edition printing signed by President Johnson for supporters and members of his administration. This is number 53 of 300 signed copies. Additional inscription on dedication page: “For Betty & Carl Sanders – Devoted, dependable & enlightened friends who give their all – All the time – with gratitude & love – Lyndon B. Johnson / LBJ Ranch / ‘Xmas ’71.”
Carl E. Sanders (1925-2014) was the democratic governor of Georgia from 1963-1967, the youngest governor in the nation. He was considered a progressive on racial and segregation politics for his time, embracing federal laws, but refusing to denounce segregationists. He was term limited and ran for another term as governor in 1970, losing the democratic primary to Jimmy Carter.Provenance: Ahlers & Ogletree Auctions, Lot 1401. The Estate of the 74th Governor of Georgia, Carl and Betty Foy Sanders.
Signed first edition of The Vantage Point by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, price clipped, some separation of glassine cover along the spine, which is typical with this dust jacket.
This copy is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on a presidential bookplate, affixed to the half-title.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson. Includes the publisher’s wraparound band.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, some separation of glassine cover along back panel and spine, which is typical with this dust jacket. Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with the scarce wraparound band.
Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Light rubbing to spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, short closed tear to rear panel, some separation of glassine cover along back panel, which is typical with this dust jacket. Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with laid-in First Edition Circle bookmark. Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, inscribed to WWII combat pilot and corporate attorney, Maj. General Ramsay D. Potts.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, some separation of glassine cover along the spine, which is typical with this dust jacket. This copy is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on a presidential bookplate: “To Ramsay D. Potts, Jr. Best Wishes. Lyndon B. Johnson.”
This copy is inscribed to Ramsay D. Potts, Jr. (1916-2006), a decorated WWII combat pilot and Washington DC corporate attorney. During WWII, Potts received numerous promotions, becoming the group leader of the 453rd Bomb Group and later the Director of Strategic Bombing Operations for the 8th Air Force. After the war, he served as special assistant to Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington and president of the Military Air Transport Association. In 1958, he formed a Washington DC firm known as Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge, retiring in 1986.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson and Senator Ted Kennedy.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Light rubbing to spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, verso reinforced with archival tape repairs, rubbing along top edge. Some separation of glassine cover along the back panel, which is typical with this dust jacket. This copy is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with laid-in bookmark. Additional signature of Senator Ted Kennedy below the LBJ signature, dated 1999. A unique piece.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Light rubbing to spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap. Some separation of glassine cover along the spine, which is typical with this dust jacket. Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago, with laid-in First Edition Circle bookmark. Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. Foxing along top edge of text block. In publisher’s first state dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, light shelf wear. Some separation of glassine cover at hinge on spine, which is typical with this dust jacket.
Signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago. Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank.
Books signed for The First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
First edition of The Vantage Point by Lyndon B. Johnson, signed by President Johnson.
Octavo, x, [2], 636pp. Red cloth, title printed on spine over blue print. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s first edition dust jacket, $15.00 on front flap, some wear along top edge and separation of glassine cover, which is typical with this dust jacket. Book is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on tipped-in blank. Includes laid in bookmark from the “1st Edition Circle” at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago.
Comments: Books signed for the First Edition Circle at Kroch’s & Brentano’s of Chicago were personally signed by President Lyndon Johnson shortly after the publication of his memoirs.
