Theodore Roosevelt: National Strength and International Duty, Inscribed to His Son. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1917. 8vo. [4], 1-103, [1, blank], [4, ads, rectos only] pp. Publisher's blue cloth lettered gilt. FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY TO ROOSEVELT'S SON, WITH RARE INSCRIPTION "FROM FATHER."

The intimate inscription is dated Dec 10th 1917; just seven months later, in July 1918, the addressee, Roosevelt's youngest son, Quentin, was killed in aerial combat on Bastille Day--the only child of a U.S. President to have been killed in action. He had joined the war at the prompting of his father, who was profoundly affected by his death. This miraculous presentation copy to Quentin "from father" offers an intimate memento of the President's affectionate relationship with his favorite and most rambunctious son, who once carved a baseball diamond onto the White House lawn and defaced the presidential portraits with spitballs. 

Light rubbing and soiling, corners bumped and spine caps pushed. Endpapers toned with small tear to front gutter and scattered minor edge wear. Else fine.