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.
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. Some foxing along edges of text block. In publishers first edition dust jacket, price clipped, some wear along top edge and separation of glassine cover, otherwise a bright jacket. Book is inscribed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on presidential bookplate to John M. Carroll.
The Vantage Point by President Lyndon Johnson, a signed limited edition copy, inscribed to FBI deputy director Cartha DeLoach.
Octavo, x, [2pp], 636 pp. Red faux-leather covers, title in gilt on spine, initials and decorative band in gilt on cover. Cracking along hinges of cover. Cracking of cover is common with this limited edition. Internals are clean. This is a scarce limited edition printing, with 300 copies signed by President Johnson for supporters and members of his administration. This is number 154 of 300 signed copies. Additional inscription on dedication page: “To Cartha “Deke” DeLoach / a good friend – an efficient and conscientious public servant who gave all he had. Lyndon Johnson.”
Cartha DeLoach, known as Deke, was the deputy associate director of the FBI. He was the third most senior official at the FBI, after J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson. Shortly after the assassination of John Kennedy, President Johnson requested that DeLoach be assigned to the White House as an intermediary between himself and Hoover. Mr. DeLoach was considered a member of Johnson’s “inner circle,” with some historians believing that he provided Johnson with critical information on Barry Goldwater and Senator Robert Kennedy. Mr. DeLoach passed away in 2013.
Octavo, 636 pp. Red faux-leather covers, title printed on spine. Cracking along hinges of cover, tear on front panel with tape repair. Cracking of cover is common with this limited edition. Internals are clean. This is a scarce limited edition printing, with 300 copies signed by President Johnson for supporters. This is number 153 of 300 signed copies. Additional inscription on half title to “J. Edgar Hoover, whose service I honor – Lyndon Johnson.” Custom made clamshell case for shelf presentation, in fine condition.
Comments: J. Edgar Hoover was the director of the FBI from 1935 – 1972. His tenure as FBI Director spanned the administrations of six presidents, including President Johnson. The two men were not known to have a warm working relationship during their tenures, so the historical irony of this presentation copy makes it unique.
Octavo, x, [2] 636pp. Contemporary brown leather binding, title in gilt on spine over black label. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. Occasional wear throughout book, with copyright page showing signs of handling. Book is inscribed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the students of Burnet Junior High School, located outside Dallas, Tx. Inscription reads: “To all the students of Burnet Junior High School – Best Wishes – Lyndon B. Johnson.” Includes laid-in condolence card from Lady Bird Johnson after the death of President Johnson in 1973.
Comments: This book was rebound in an attractive brown leather after being recovered from a library binding. An attractive copy.
Octavo, 636pp. Original red cloth bindings, printed title on spine and cover. Original dust jacket in good condition. Light foxing to fore edge. Inscribed by President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson to Senator Ralph Yarborough on dedication page: “To Richard Yarborough / from his friend through the years – Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson / LBJ Library Dec 20, 1971.” Provenance: Inscribed by Senator Yarborough opposite the inscription with the note: “20 Dec. 71 – Inscribed by President Johnson in my presence at LBJ Library. RWY.”
Comments: Senator Ralph Yarborough served in the Senate from 1957 until 1971. He was a Democratic Senator from Texas, with strong ties to former President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was with President Kennedy in Texas, during his November 1963 visit. He initially refused to ride with Vice President Johnson in the motorcade, forcing President Kennedy to have a “heated exchange” with Johnson, demanding that he get Yarborough in line. Johnson acquiesced, and Yarborough was in the motorcade behind President Kennedy on that fateful day. Yarborough would go on to call that day in Dallas “the most tragic day of my life.” In the 1964 senatorial election, he ran against future President George H.W. Bush, prevailing in the election and setting Bush on a path that would eventually lead him to the Presidency. He lost his seat in 1970 Lloyd Bentsen, returning to private life.
Signed first edition of Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Octavo, xii, [2], 432pp. Black cloth, title in gilt on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. In publisher’s dust jacket, $12.50 retail price on front flap, light shelf wear, wear at top edge of spine, overall a very good example. Signed by Doris Kearns Goodwin on the front endpaper.
Historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin was a ghost writer for the memoirs of Lyndon Johnson, titled The Vantage Point. This book was her first presidential biography, which drew on her conversations with Lyndon Johnson during his presidency and short retirement in Texas.
