Signed book: The Democratic Book: 1936. Gilt-stamped leather (including “Brooks Hays,” the original owner), 11.5 x 14.5, 384 pages. Limited edition (limitation unspecified; this copy No. 2127), signed by Roosevelt on the limitation page beneath a color vignette of the White House. A lavishly produced promotional “year book” for the Democratic Party, with features on accomplishments by Democrats, images of FDR’s cabinet, and ads. The selling of advertising space—and the selling of the book itself to corporations, at $250.00 per copy—aroused much controversy at the time, and objections were raised that these de facto corporate contributions violated the Corrupt Practices Act. Hays (1898–1981, an Arkansas congressman from 1943 to 1959, was characterized by columnist Drew Pearson as “one of the foremost experts in psychological warfare against communism.” A staunch evangelical, Hays sponsored House Resolution 60 in 1953, creating within the Capitol building “a place of retreat as an encouragement to prayer.” He is also listed on page 345 of the book as the DNS’s National Committeeman for Arkansas. Rubbing and wear to extremities (scuffs, cracks, and small chips to edges; losses to spine ends), and light toning to endpapers, otherwise fine, clean condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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