Books

EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Crusade in Europe. Garden City: Doubleday, 1948. Thick octavo, original tan linen, cartographic endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut, original acetate wrapper, original slipcase. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $12,800. Signed limited first edition, number 455 of 1426 copies signed by Eisenhower at the bottom of his D-Day message to Allied troops; this copy additionally inscribed by him on the limitation leaf: "For Brigadier General Frank Coffey outstanding soldier in two World Wars, with best wishes and lasting regard to him and his wife, Louise, from their devoted friend, Ike Eisenhower." Eisenhower's memoir provides an important and unique perspective on the difficult command-level decisions that decided the outcome of World War II. Included are numerous battlefield and theater maps (a number in color), as well as photographic illustrations selected by Edward Steichen. Only light rubbing to slipcase edges; book and original acetate, often not present, both fine. An excellent presentation copy, inscribed to a fellow officer.