ROOSEVELT, Theodore (1858–1919). The Naval War of 1812; or, The History of the United States Navy During the Last War with Great Britain. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1882.
8vo. Numerous diagrams in–text by the author. Original textured green cloth [Binding B, no priority stated] with a central gilt device of a full–rigged ship on upper cover over beveled boards, gilt–lettered spine, brown coated endpapers (few spots of rubbing at extreme ends, upper cover fore edge frayed near corner, else fine). Provenance: Norman Stanley (engraved bookplate); Frank W. Stanley (book label).
FIRST EDITION of the young Roosevelt’s first book published when he was just 23 years old, the first chapters being written while Roosevelt was in his senior year at Harvard. The work was highly praised and was “recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as ‘the last word on the subject,’ and a classic of naval history. Within two years of publication, it went through three editions, and became a textbook at several colleges. In 1886, by special regulation, at least one copy was ordered and placed on board every U.S. Navy vessel…Today Naval War remains the definitive work in its field” (Morris, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt p. 154).
A BRIGHT COPY, rare on the market and even more exceptional in this condition. Cole & Vail A3a; Howes R431.