Crusade in Europe.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1948 Stock Code: 140866
Ike's classic wartime memoirs inscribed to his personal physician
One of just a few copies for personal presentation bound up for Eisenhower from the limited edition sheets, with the signed leaf of the D-Day message to the troops, but without the limitation leaf. This copy warmly inscribed on the half-title to Dr. Hal Johnson, Ike's primary physician when he retired to Gettysburg in 1961, and who, with his wife Edie, became good friends of the Eisenhowers: "For Dr. C. H. Johnson with the warm regard of his friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower".These copies were not part of the 30 or so "official" presentations bound in red morocco and destined for such as political leaders and insiders, or command-level military colleagues, but are from of a still smaller group made for Eisenhower for presentation at a more intimate level to members of his personal suite.
As was the case with Churchill and The Second World War, Crusade in Europe made Eisenhower a rich man, "becoming one of the most widely translated and sold books of all time. It is often compared to Grant's memoirs as a classic of military writing" (American National Biography); The New York Times considering that it gave "the reader true insight into the most difficult part of a commander's life." A fine association copy of the rarest special edition of this important account.
Description
Octavo (238 x 155 mm). Contemporary blue crushed morocco presentation binding, title gilt direct to the spine, pinched, flat raised bands with dotted roll gilt, framed by single gilt rules, SHAEF flaming crusader sword of liberation in gold and silver to the front board, single fillet panel to both boards, top edge gilt, the others untrimmed, stylised gilt floral roll to the turn-ins, map endpapers printed in blue, title page printed in sepia and black. Housed in the original blue cloth, plush-lined leather-entry slip-case with blue petersham extraction ribbon.
Illustrations
16 black and white plates from photographs (selected by Edward Steichen), 4 double-page maps printed in sepia and black, and 38 full-page maps to the text.
Condition
Spine and slip case-entry a little tanned, the exterior of the case with light shelf-wear, and the plush interior a touch browned, slight tan ghosting to the endpapers, but the contents otherwise near fine, overall very good indeed.
DELIVERY
With the exception of framed items*, Peter Harrington offers free delivery on all UK orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website. Delivery to USA and the rest of the world is similarly free for orders over £200.
ABOUT US
Established in 1969, Peter Harrington is one of the leading rare book firms in the world. It is a proud member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association – along with ILAB, the PBFA and Lapada – and from shops in Mayfair and Chelsea, London, sells rare books, prints and ephemera to customers across the world.
Email: mail@peterharrington.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 0220