[Rarebooks] FS: First Edition of Theodore Roosevelt's THE ROUGH RIDERS Inscribed to one of his Riders

[Charles Agvent]

One of several SIGNED first editions by Theodore Roosevelt featured in 
our upcoming Spring catalog and that we will be exhibiting in our booth 
D-26 at the New York Book Fair starting tomorrow through Sunday at the 
Armory on Park Avenue and 67th St.  See here for details: 
http://nyantiquarianbookfair.com/The_New_York_Book_Fair/ABAA__53rd_Annual.html

ROOSEVELT, Theodore (Teddy ROOSEVELT). THE ROUGH RIDERS Inscribed by the 
Colonel to one of his Rough Riders. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 
1899. First Edition. Olive cloth with gilt lettering and medal in gilt 
on front cover. Roosevelt's classic account of his experience as Colonel 
of the First U. S. Volunteer Cavalry, the "Rough Riders," during the 
Spanish American War. This copy is INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author on 
the front free endpaper to one of his Rough Riders: "To/Lt. Roger S. 
Fitch/with warm regards of/his old colonel/Theodore Roosevelt/June '99." 
Fitch, a member of Troop G of the Rough Riders, is listed on page 256. 
On page 297 in Appendix D, the penultimate page of the book, Fitch has 
marked a passage and written in pencil a brief signed note how the text 
was taken from letters written to him. Excerpts from a diary Fitch wrote 
while under Roosevelt's command were published in a 1997 edition of this 
book with additions by Richard Bak. The Rough Riders were the most 
widely publicized single regiment in American military history, perhaps 
equaled later by the Green Berets and more recently the Navy Seals. 
Roosevelt's most sought after book, very difficult to find signed, 
especially in the first edition. Professional paper repair to the 
hinges. Gilt bright on the front cover and spine. A Near Fine and 
exceptional copy.

Roosevelt recruited and commanded the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry in 
1898, and the flamboyant unit, popularly dubbed the Rough Riders, served 
in Cuba. An especially bold charge up Kettle Hill during the hot summer 
of 1898, near San Juan Hill, received widespread press coverage, and 
made Roosevelt a national figure. Fitch began his military career in May 
1898 when he joined the Rough Riders as a private. He was assigned to 
Troop G and participated in all the engagements in Cuba. Upon the 
recommendation of Colonel Roosevelt he was appointed a second lieutenant 
of Cavalry in the Regular Army on 1 June 1899 and assigned to the First 
Cavalry. With this regiment he took part in the Philippine Insurrection, 
seeing action in the Malvar Campaign and in the first and second Loboo 
Expeditions. While there he was promoted to first lieutenant. Roosevelt 
said of Fitch: "He was with me personally both at Guasimas and San Juan. 
He showed cool daring, resolution, initiative--in short every soldierly 
quality; excellent alike in battle, in camp and on the march." Fitch was 
eventually promoted to colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Service 
Medal for his service in France in the first World War. Colonel Fitch 
assumed command of the famed 11th Cavalry at the Presidio of Monterey, 
California, and at the completion of his two-year tour of duty there 
retired in October 1930. On the occasion of his retirement at that time 
General Douglas MacArthur announced: "the Army's loss is Monterey's 
gain!" Fitch returned to active duty and was assigned as Post Commander 
to the new Fort Ord in October 1940. He died in 1955, a decorated 
veteran of three wars, at the age of 78. (#016942)        $25,000.00

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/016942.jpg

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/016942.jpg
-- 

All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional: $10.00 for the first item; $5.00 for each 
thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania 
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and 
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 10 days of receipt for 
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior 
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a 
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century 
Literary First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, 
Illustrated Books, and the world's largest inventory of Limited Editions 
Club books. *We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be 
members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and 
the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel 
free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT
291 Linden Road
Mertztown, PA 19539-8750
610-682-4750
info at charlesagvent.com
Please visit our shop: http://www.charlesagvent.com