Restoration of Ford's Theatre

Washington, DC: United States Department of the Interior, 1963. Hardcover. Small 4to. Blue cloth with gilt lettering and decoration. xvii, 138pp. Numerous illustrations. Very good. Faintest of binding edgewear. A tight and nice first edition of this thorough account, with a fine, boldly pencilled inscription on front flyleaf: "After Dedication / May 20, 1969 / of my / Heroic Lincoln Monument / from Olaf Anderson / of Nat Park Service / Wash D.C. / Carl Tolpo." Tolpo (1901-76) was a noted sculptor and painter best remembered for his busts and statues of Lincoln. Tipped below this is Anderson's National Park Service business card. This copy has been extra-illustrated: Title page notes "Prepared Under the Direction of Conrad L. Wirth, Director, National Park Service" -- and tipped to facing page is a heavy stock 5" X 3" pre-printed "Civil War Round Table" reservation card which Wirth has signed large and bold in blue ballpoint, adding he cannot attend the June 3, 1967 meeting in question and adds, "Greatly regret, but will be unable to attend." Wirth (1899-1993) headed the National Park Service from 1951 to 1964 and was a noted conservationist and landscape architect. The title page also notes "And the Technical Supervision of Randle B. Truett, Chief Historian, National Capital Region" -- and tipped opposite the half-title page is an Autograph Letter Signed from Truett, 1p, 5½" X 8½", Arlington, VA, 1962 May 14. Addressed to noted Lincoln scholar Arnold F. Gates (1914-93). Near fine. On custom letterhead, Truett chats about guiding Gates's Civil War Round Table group through the Lincoln museum and the Peterson House. Truett (1904-78) was the long-time custodian of the Lincoln Museum and a noted Lincoln writer. A superb copy of this book with all kinds of interesting associations.