Author: HOWLETT, Michael J.
Title: Keepers of the Seal: A History of the Secretaries of State of Illinois and How Their Office Grew
Description: Springfield, State of Illinois, 1977. Hardcover. 8vo. Green cloth with gilt lettering. 176pp. Illustrations, color pictorial endpapers. Fine. Pristine first edition of this collection of thumbnail biographies of these Illinois state office holders, from its pre-statehood territorial secretaries to all those who followed, including its 33rd office holder who authored this book. Interestingly, the 23rd Secretary of State (1914-17) was Lewis G. Stevenson -- father of Illinois Governor Adlai E. Stevenson II and grandfather of U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III, from whose collection this hails. Also of interest is that this special copy is extra-illustrated, for tipped-in facing the title page is a unique frontispiece -- a Typed Letter Signed from 20th Secretary of State JAMES A. ROSE (1850-1912). 1p, 8½" X 10½", Springfield, IL, 5 April 1899. Addressed to Robert Mather, General Attorney for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway. Very good. Faint mottling to top 1"; 2-punched at top; original folds. On ornate Secretary of State letterhead, Rose tells this railroad company's counsel that he wishes to send his bookkeeper to El Reno, Oklahoma, and asks "if you would kindly procure transportation for him from Chicago to El Reno and return over the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad I would take it as a great favor and hope to be able to reciprocate to the road or yourself in some way from this office." Large, full signature at the close. Classic you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours request! A fine association copy from the grandson of an Illinois Secretary of State and with interesting letter from another. .

Keywords: Illinois & Midwest


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