RARE PRESENTATION COPY OF MR. PRESIDENT,
LIMITED EDITION, ONE OF ONLY 250 COPIES, TWICE INSCRIBED BY TRUMAN,
TO MASTER SERGEANT CREW MEMBER OF AIR FORCE ONE

(TRUMAN, Harry) HILLMAN, William. Mr. President. New York: Farrar, Straus and Young, (1952). Quarto, original full blue leatherette gilt, top edge gilt, original slipcase. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $6500.

Signed limited first edition, number 183 of only 250 copies, with tipped-in limitation leaf inscribed by Truman, "To: M. Sgt. Eugene E. Bishop, From: The President," additionally inscribed by the President in the wide margin of the frontispiece portrait: "Kindest regards, Harry Truman."

This rare presentation copy, twice inscribed by President Truman, is one of only 250 copies in a limited edition, specially bound, drawn from Truman's personal diaries, private letters, papers and interviews. "Never has a President allowed such a personal revelation while still in office as President Truman has in turning over his personal diaries, memoranda and private papers to William Hillman. The book is historic and it is candid." "I want the people to know the Presidency as I have experienced it and I want them to know me as I am." With inscribed limitation leaf tipped in between frontispiece and title page. Issued in the same year as the trade edition. With numerous photographic plates, many in color. Recipient Master Sergeant Eugene Bishop served Truman on his presidential plane called "The Independence." This rare presentation copy, twice inscribed by Truman, is accompanied by three items of memorabilia: a black-and-white photographic print (8 by 10-inches) showing Bishop aboard the presidential plane; a blank leaf of cream letterhead stationary (6-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches) displaying the printed "The Flying White House" beneath the plane's color logo and presidential seal, and a souvenir booklet (8-1/2 by 11 inches) of The Independence.

A fine presentation copy, twice inscribed, in scarce slipcase.