The Organization of Agriculture.
New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1904. Hardcover. 8vo. Green cloth with gilt lettering. xi, 403pp. Very good. Very faintest of binding wear, with hand-lettered paper shelf label near foot of spine; tight and internally fine, with endpapers a tad age toned. Item #50832
First U.S. edition of this study by the English author and journalist (1854-1922) of the growing modernization and improved arrangement of many countries' agriculture industry, offered country by country and including a chapter on the U.S. -- along with some related chapters such as "A Dissertation on Eggs" and "Do the Railways Help the Farmers?" From the collection of William B. Allison (1829-1908), the powerful Iowa Republican who, as U.S. senator from that state (1873-1908), was one of the "big four" who controlled the Senate. Early 20th century bookplate on front pastedown notes "This book is part of Allison Memorial Collection Gift of Mrs. Jennie A. Brayton" and until deaccessioned was part of Allison's non-circulating collection at his hometown public library across the street from his Dubuque residence. According to Leland L. Sage in his 1956 biography "William Boyd Allison: A Study in Practical Politics," Allison owned "hundreds of books on government, economics, history, banking, finance, and the tariff [as well as] volumes of American and English literature. An omnivorous reader, Allison doubtless read most of these volumes, if only for relaxation from the strain that accompanied his efforts to solve the many problems facing the Nation." Near the top of the front pastedown, Allison signs large and bold, dating it 16 June 1904 beneath.
Price: $175.00