A SAILOR'S LOG: Recollections of Forty Years of Naval Life; [Inscribed to a British counterpart and with Autograph Letter Signed laid in]

New York: D. Appleton, 1908. Later printing, presumably the second. INSCRIBED BY EVANS on title page, "For Captain Keyes with my best/ wishes,/ R. D. Evans/ Rear Admiral/ U.S.N." Robley "Fighting Bob" D. Evans (1846-1912) -- a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy who served in both the Civil and Spanish-American Wars -- was considered "One of the Navy's Most Picturesque Characters in War and Peace" [NY Times 1/7/1912]. Roger John Brownlow Keyes (1872-1945), a Royal Navy officer, served on slavery suppression missions early in his career and went on to serve in both WWI and WWII, rising to Admiral of the Fleet. Laid in the book is an AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY EVANS TO KEYES dated May 23, 1910, and written on a single folded leaf with Washington D.C. address printed at head. The letter thanks Keyes for his kindness to his daughter "Mrs. Marsh" [Charlotte Evans Marsh], recommends his book as a cure for insomnia, mentions traveling "in Mexico in company with Sir Percy Scott" who he found "excellent fun" [Admiral Sir Percy Moreton Scott (1853-1924) was a pioneer in modern naval gunnery who retired in 1913 only to be recalled to service by Churchill in WWI] though noting "he is not over fond of my friend Beresford" [British Admiral Lord Charles Beresford (1846-1919), who was "Fighting Charlie" to Evans' "Fighting Bob" in both the U.S. and Britain]. 8vo gilt-stamped green cloth; top edge green; 467 pages. Keyes bookplate on front pastedown. Rear endpaper somewhat inexpertly repaired at hinge otherwise very good to near fine with a bit of rubbing to tips. An excellent association copy.