“COMPLIMENTS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT, GOVERNOR”

ROOSEVELT, Theodore. Public Papers of Theodore Roosevelt, Governor. Albany: Brandow, 1899, 1900. Two volumes. Octavo, original brown cloth. Housed together in custom slipcase. $2200.

First editions, presentation copies, of the public papers from Roosevelt's two years as Governor of New York, each volume with tipped-in printed presentation slip reading: “Compliments of Theodore Roosevelt, Governor.”

An official New York State governmental publication including messages, proclamations, addresses, appointments, vetoes, pardons, commutations, other official material, and Roosevelt's 1899 speech, "The Strenuous Life," which he gave to the Chicago Hamilton Club. Roosevelt's tenure as governor of New York "foreshadowed his presidency. He deferred to the Republican leadership on small matters, fought it on large ones, and imbued officials with a heightened sense of public trust. Convinced that many social and economic problems were beyond the capacity of cities and towns to solve, he inclined more and more toward centralized, interventionist government" (ANB). Evident in the materials contained in these volumes of papers from 1899 and 1900, those tendencies remained strong throughout his presidency.

Neat repair to inner paper hinge of Volume I. Minor wear to spine ends, gilt lettering darkened. An extremely good presentation copy.