Author: GRAFFAGNINO, J. Kevin (editor)
Title: A Wisconsin Fifteen: Fifteen Notable Titles from the Library Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Description: Madison, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1998. Hardcover. 4to. Blue cloth spine with gilt lettering and blue paper over boards. xiii, 173pp. Illustrations. Fine. A tight, handsome first edition (no dust jacket, as issued) of this exploration of a handful of this institution's most intriguing books, each with an essay by an appropriate specialist -- Alan T. Nolan and Allan G. Bogue among them. On an inner flyleaf is a fine presentation inscription in black ballpoint: "To Merrillyn Hartridge / from the Wisconsin Historical Society - State Archivist Staff -- Peter Gottlieb / in appreciation -- 4/5, 02." GOTTLIEB was the Wisconsin State Archivist, and HARTRIDGE (1922-2011) was as noted Madison television show host and writer who'd been honored by the Society in 1998 for a nonfiction book she'd written. This copy bears another unique autograph addition, for tipped to an inner flyleaf is a Typed Note Signed by the books' best-known contributor, controversial historian and presidential biographer STEPHEN E. AMBROSE (1936-2002). 1p, 8¼" X 11", Baltimore, MD, n.y. (1960s) September 7. Near fine. Addressed to noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), officer of the New York City Civil War Round Table. On letterhead of the history department of "The Johns Hopkins University, Ambrose helps Gates arrange details for him to visit New York, likely to address the Round Table. Signed simply "Steve" in blue ballpoint. By the way, the book Ambrose discusses in his "Wisconsin Fifteen" essay is one penned by his Ph.D. mentor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, William B. Hesseltine, whose "Pioneer's Mission: The Story of Lyman Copeland Draper" was published in 1954. A superb copy with a most uncommon letter. .

Keywords: Illinois & Midwest Bibliography & Books About Books


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