INSCRIBED BY FDR ABOARD THE “FLOATING WHITE HOUSE” TO HIS PERSONAL PHYSICIAN, ADMIRAL ROSS T. MCINTIRE

(ROOSEVELT, Franklin D.) GOWANLOCH, James Nelson. Fishes and Fishing in Louisiana. Including Recipes for the Preparation of Seafoods. New Orleans: Department of Conservation, February 1933. Octavo, original pictorial stiff paper wrappers, contemporary full limp black morocco gilt, marbled edges. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

First edition of this report on the fresh and saltwater fish of Louisiana, presentation-association copy, specially bound for Franklin D. Roosevelt and inscribed by the president to his personal physician, “For Ross T. McIntire, on board U.S.S. Potomac, May 1, 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

Gowanloch—“poet, stamp collector, a considerable researcher and a splendid teacher” and chief biologist of Louisiana’s Department of Conservation (Waite, 39)—presents “this account of our fresh and salt water fishes… [to] emphasize the charm and pleasure that Louisiana affords the angler as well as the remarkable richness of the commercially important fish life of our State.” This copy, as the front board states, was specially bound for Roosevelt’s April 1937 fishing trip to Louisiana. “Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong fisherman. After his mobility became limited when he contracted polio in 1921, FDR spent a great deal of his leisure time either sailing or fishing. Dr. Ross McIntire, Roosevelt’s personal physician when he was President”—and the person to whom FDR inscribed this copy—“advised Roosevelt to go on as many vacations as possible to improve his health. McIntire later recounted, ‘Despite our bargain about regular vacations, I doubt, however, if he would have kept the agreement except for his love of the water and fishing” (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum). With numerous black-and-white photographs and in-text illustrations, 10 color plates and two large folding maps, printed in black and red: a 19 by 19-1/2 inch map of Lake Ponchatrain and its surroundings, and a 17-1/2 by 26 inch map of Louisana’s fish and game preserve. Bulletin No. 23 from Louisiana’s Department of Conservation. President Roosevelt inscribed this copy aboard the U.S.S. Potomac (Roosevelt’s presidential yacht, the so-called “floating White House”) to his personal physician (from 1932-45), Ross T. McIntire. McIntire rose to the rank of Vice Admiral and Surgeon General of the Navy.

Interior clean, front inner hinge expertly reinforced. Light rubbing to spine head. Gilt bright. A near-fine copy, very desirable with Roosevelt’s inscription.