Naval Sketches of the War in California. Reproducing Twenty-Eight Drawings made in 1846-1847 by William H. Myers, Gunner on U.S. Sloop-of-War Dale. Descriptive text by Capt. Dudley W. Knox, U.S.N. Introduction by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

ROOSEVELT, Franklin D.

Edité par New York: Random House, 1939

A propos de cet article

First edition, first printing, one of 1,000 copies. Presentation copy, inscribed by Roosevelt on title page, "Franklin D. Roosevelt, for Robert M. Morgenthau". Morgenthau (1919-2019) was the son of Roosevelt's friend and Secretary of the Treasury during Roosevelt's presidency, Henry Morgenthau, Jr (1891-1967). At the time of presentation Robert Morgenthau, who grew up living nearby the Roosevelts, was serving as a lieutenant-commander in the Navy. He later served seven years as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, followed by 34 years as District Attorney for New York County; winning nine elections to retain his post, and serving until he was 90 years old. "In many years of collecting sketches, paintings, and engravings relating to the navy of the United States," FDR writes in his Introduction, "I had found virtually none which had connections with naval operations in the Pacific in 1846 and 1847 (during the war with Mexico). When, therefore, I had the opportunity a few years ago of acquiring the original sketchbook of Gunner William H. Myers, U.S.N., I realised its historical value". The sketchbook's original "monetary" value was $900, the highest price FDR ever paid for an item in his naval collection. Compelled to publish the "pictorial record" because of "its historical value," FDR convinced Random House of its importance, volunteered to supply an introduction, designated his secretary Missy LeHand as his liaison to the Grabhorn Press and commissioned Captain Dudley W. Knox (who had previously edited several volumes on naval history, for which FDR provided forewords) to write the text. Folio. Original marbled paper boards, backed by white paper stamped in imitation of white morocco, titles gilt to recent red label to spine, grey endpapers, top edge trimmed, others untrimmed. Colour frontispiece, title page and text printed in blue, red, and black, with 27 colour plates. Marks to spine and rear cover, wear to extremities, short closed tear to first blank, small glue residue mark to rear free endpaper; a very good copy.

N° de réf. du vendeur 190135

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Naval Sketches of the War in California. Reproducing Twenty-Eight Drawings made in 1846-1847 by William H. Myers, Gunner on U.S. Sloop-of-War Dale. Descriptive text by Capt. Dudley W. Knox, U.S.N. Introduction by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Éditeur: New York: Random House, 1939
• Édition: Edition originale
• Signé: Signé par l'auteur