Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times by A. K. McClure, First Edition, in Original Boards, 1892

McClure, Alexander Kelly. Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times: Some Personal Recollection of War And Politics During the Lincoln Administration. Philadelphia: The Times Publishing Company, 1892. First Edition. Octavo. In the publisher's original green cloth boards, with gilt embossed Lincoln portrait and title to front board, gilt titles to spine. Illustrated. New archival slipcase with inlay. 

Presented is a first edition printing of Alexander Kelly McCure’s Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times: Some Personal Recollections of War and Politics During the Lincoln Administration. The book was published in 1892 by The Times Publishing Company, printed in Philadelphia. It is in the publisher’s original green cloth boards, with the title stamped in gilt on the spine and an illustration of Lincoln and title gilt embossed on the front board. It is illustrated profusely inside, with a frontispiece portrait of Lincoln and more than twenty additional plates throughout. 

Written from a Republican powerbroker and a close associate of Lincoln, this book offers an intimate view of the president’s relations with military generals and top politicians. As stated in the preface, the book is not a biography of Lincoln or history of his administration. Rather it was written “simply to correct some popular errors as to Lincoln's character and actions. So much [had] been written of him by persons assuming to possess information obtained in the inner circle of his confidence, and such conflicting presentations of his personal attributes and private and public acts have been given to the public, that [McClure] deemed it a duty to contribute what little [he] could from personal knowledge, to correct some common errors in estimating his character, ability, and efforts.” By exposing Lincoln’s interactions with prominent figures like Ulysses S. Grant, William Sherman, George B. McClellan, as well as political figures like James Buchanan, Salmon Chase, and John Nicolay, the book is a valuable source for understanding the complexities of Lincoln's presidency. It exposes how he shrewdly navigated and handled the strong, moody, ambitious personalities of those around him, to lead those in his party, an army, and a nation during the Civil War.  McClure also offers insight into the election campaigns of 1860 and 1864. 

Alexander Kelly McClure was a prominent Pennsylvania politician, journalist and editor, and staunch supporter of the Republican cause. A state senator and an early backer of Abraham Lincoln, McClure played a pivotal role at the 1860 Republican National Convention, where he and Governor Curtin helped steer Pennsylvania’s support away from Simon Cameron and William Seward to secure Lincoln’s nomination. As chairman of the Republican State Committee, McClure was instrumental in rallying the state behind Lincoln’s presidency. During the war, McClure served as an assistant adjutant general with the rank of major, helping to raise seventeen Pennsylvania regiments before resigning his commission in 1863.

A passionate opponent of slavery and Democratic corruption, McClure used his Franklin County newspaper to advocate for Republican policies and criticize Confederate aggression, an act that made him a target during the war. During the war, Confederate forces burned his home in Chambersburg. In 1864, he relocated to Philadelphia, opened a law office, and continued his political work, aiding Lincoln’s successful reelection that same year. McClure remained an influential figure in Pennsylvania politics, winning a seat in the state House of Representatives in 1865 as a member of the Union Party. He was also a frequent visitor to the White House and later published memoirs and anecdotes about Lincoln and the Civil War, preserving firsthand insights into a pivotal period in American history.

CONDITION: 

Good condition overall. Octavo. In the publisher’s original green cloth boards. Gilt embossed title and illustration of Lincoln on the front board, and gilt embossed title to the spine. Light wear to the spine, bumping to top and bottom, and small areas of rubbing to the cloth. A generally bright example. New joints. Interior pages are healthy and clean, with only light toning. Complete with frontispiece portrait of Lincoln and more than 20 illustrated plates. Presented with an archival green cloth slipcase, with inlay on the front. 

Book Dimensions: 9" H x 6 3/16" W x 1 11/16" D. Slipcase Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 6 3/8" W x 2" D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.