Books

One of just a few copies bound for personal presentation by Eisenhower, warmly inscribed on the half-title "For: Joseph H. S. Winne with best wishes and warm regard from his friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower". Winne was the Pennsylvania Railroad's passenger agent in Washington, responsible for making travel arrangements for many in the White House, presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy among them. These copies, which are bound from the limited-edition sheets, with the signed leaf of the D-Day message to the troops but without the limitation leaf, the copyright page stating "First Edition" not "First Trade Edition", 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. They 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" (ANB); 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. Octavo (238 × 155 mm). Contemporary presentation binding of blue crushed morocco, spine lettered in gilt, 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 cover, single fillet panel to both covers, stylized gilt floral roll to turn-ins, map endpapers printed in blue, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Housed in original blue cloth plush-lined leather-entry slipcase with blue petersham extraction ribbon. Title page printed in sepia and black, 16 uncoloured plates from photographs (selected by Edward Steichen), 4 double-page maps printed in sepia and black, and 38 full-page maps in text. Spine sunned as often, covers rubbed, slight tanning to endpapers, but the contents otherwise near-fine, case with minimal external shelf-wear, plush interior a touch browned; overall, very good indeed. .