A History of the American People, Signed by Woodrow Wilson, Alumni Edition #29 of 350, Five Volume Set, 1902

Woodrow Wilson. A History of the American People. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1902. Alumni Edition #29 of 350 copies. Volume I signed by Woodrow Wilson on limitation page. 5 Volumes. Large octavos. Rebound in ¼ leather and marbled paper sides, with raised bands, gold tooling, titles, and stamps to spines.

Presented is a signed and numbered “Alumni Edition” of A History of the American People by Woodrow Wilson. Wilson's monumental narrative history of the United States spans the time period from settlement to 1900. He completed the series at Princeton University in the early summer of 1902, a few months before he was sworn in as President of the University by a unanimous vote. This is a highly appealing five volume set, numbered #29 of only 350 copies and signed by Wilson in blue ink on the limitation page of Volume I. This signed, limited "Alumni Edition" was issued the same year as the first edition, and is profusely illustrated throughout with hundreds of portraits, maps, and in-text illustrations.

As a writer, Wilson "propounded his own frontier thesis to explain American history. Influenced by conversations and correspondence with historian Frederick Jackson Turner, Wilson...credited the frontier, more than the Anglo-Saxon heritage, with the rise of freedom and democracy in the New World" (ANB). "As a lecturer and writer Wilson had a genius for simplification, for the clarification of the complex and the explanation of the relation of things. These qualities he carried into his political speeches and they account in part, at least, for the effect he exercised upon men's minds" (DAB).

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. 5 volumes. Large octavos. Numbered #29 of 350 copies printed, numbered in red ink. Volume I signed by Woodrow Wilson in blue ink on limitation page. Vol I- 350 pp. Vol. II- 369pp. Vol.III- 348 pp. Vol. IV- 343 pp. Vol. V- 338 pp. Paper is healthy, save minor toning and foxing on some pages, due to age. Top edge gilt. Deckled fore edge.

All five volumes have been rebound in ¼ leather and marbled paper sides, with raised bands, gold tooling, titles, and stamps to spines. The books come with a new, archival slipcase, lined with ribbon pull,  with Wilson’s portrait inlaid on the front. Dimensions (with slipcase): 11 1/4” H x 11” W x 7 1/4” D.