Behind the Guns: The History of Battery I, 2nd Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery.
Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, [1965]. Hardcover. Edited with a foreword by Clyde C. Walton. Preface by W.G. Putney. Small 4to. Grey and blue cloth with gilt and red spine lettering, grey and blue pictorial paper over boards slipcase. xxv, 180pp. Illustrations, maps, tables. Fine/fine. Item #45204
First edition, with colophon leaf at rear noting limitation to 1000 numbered copies (this #599) signed boldly by sponsor James S. Schoff. This copy bears a fine autograph addition: Tipped to inner flyleaf is a superb, lengthy, meaty Typed Letter Signed from editor Walton, 2pp, 8½" X 11", Iowa City, IA, 20 September 1955. Addressed to noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar Arnold Gates (1914-93). Near fine. Two horizontal original folds. On "Civil War History" letterhead, Walton as editor of a new scholarly journal writes to this officer of a newly-formed group to thank him for "the booklet on the Civil War Round Table of New York, for which you produced the art work" -- and with ulterior motive (in part): "We have intended that Civil War History be an illustrated journal; the second issue contained maps which we thought admirably illustrated the military maneuvers involved in the accompanying articles. I had hoped, however, that we could illustrate by line drawings, each article which we published.... Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure drawings which I felt were good enough to use in CWH.... would it possible for you to consider helping to illustrate the articles which will appear in Civil War History? I have no particular feelings as to style, nor would I attempt to dictate which points should be illustrated.... If it happens that you are by profession an artist, I wish to withdraw my offer. I believe firmly that too many professional people are taken advantage of because of friendship or pseudo-professional friendships. I would not think of asking a medical doctor to examine me without sending me a bill...." Boldly signed in jet black ink at the close. Walton was a respected historian and author and served as Illinois State Historian and Illinois State Historical Society executive director. An outstanding, out-of-the-ordinary copy of this handsome production.
Price: $150.00