A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie: The Selected Letters of James K. Newton.
Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1961. Hardcover. Edited by Stephen E. Ambrose. 8vo. Blue cloth with gilt spine lettering and decoration, pictorial dust jacket. xviii, 188pp. Illustrations, maps. Near fine/very good. Faint jacket edgewear. Item #43789
A superb, tight and scarce first edition of the first book to bear noted historian Ambrose's name -- here as editor. (His first solo title, a biography of Henry Halleck, was published the following year.) Not only that, but this lovely copy bears a fine autograph addition: Tipped facing the title page is a Typed Letter Signed from Ambrose (1936-2002), 1p, 8¼" X 11", Madison, WI, 2 March 1959. Addressed to noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar Arnold F. Gates (1914-93). Near fine. On letterhead of "The State of Wisconsin State Historical Society," Ambrose tells this long-time officer of the New York Civil War Round Table "I have been asked by the editor of the Wisconsin Magazine of History... to prepare an article on the Civil War Round Tables of the country" and asks Gates "if you will be good enough to help me in my preliminary research by filling out the enclose questionnaire....." Boldly signed in full in blue ink. An exceptionally early letter predating by two years Ambrose's first teaching position -- and a handsome first edition of one of his first academic endeavors.
Price: $150.00