"THE MOST PROMISING CUB REPORTER THAT EVER CAME OUT OF HYDE PARK": FDR'S PUBLIC PAPERS AND ADDRESSES, PRESENTED AND INSCRIBED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Volumes I-V. New York: Random House, 1938. Octavo, original blue cloth, original cardboard slipcase. $9500.

First trade editions of the first five volumes of Roosevelt’s papers, in the original dust jackets and slipcase, the first volume inscribed by him: "For the National Press Club, from Franklin D. Roosevelt."

All the significant public speeches of Roosevelt during some of the most turbulent years of American history, including his fireside chats, messages to Congress, important executive orders and official promulgations from 1928 through 1936. The volumes are entitled: The Genesis of the New Deal 1928-1932; The Year of Crisis 1933; The Advance of Recovery and Reform 1934; The Court Disapproves 1935; The People Approve 1936. Each volume features an introduction by Roosevelt. Edited by Samuel I. Rosenman, Roosevelt's counsel while he was Governor of New York.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was awarded membership to the National Press Club in 1933, where he was humorously "assigned" to cover the White House. His job was to "report not only on the detailed doings of the President, but also to provide his fellow correspondents with carbon copies of every presidential pronouncement." He was described by fellow NPC members as "the most promising cub reporter that ever came out of Hyde Park." Roosevelt was notoriously friendly with the press, but was an expert at deflecting reporters' inquiries. Roosevelt's Public Papers ultimately totaled 13 volumes. These first five volumes were all published in 1938 and issued as a complete set, in a slipcase, which is present. Issued simultaneously with a deluxe edition limited to 500 copies bound in leather. Ink stamp "Property of National Press Club" to text block edges and endpapers. With a 1985 letter of provenance laid in.

Text clean, spine cloth darkened, with evidence of shelf labels and some fraying to spine heads, very good. Dust jackets with some minor chipping, toning and rubbing; Volume I with long closed split to front joint fold and to rear flap fold, very good. Original cardboard slipcase expertly repaired at seams. Desirable inscribed by Roosevelt and with an intriguing provenance.