Ethics in Government

Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1953. Hardcover. 8vo. Mustard and black cloth with black spine lettering. ix, 114pp. Near fine. Lacks dust jacket. An attractive, tight first edition of this 1951 Harvard University Godkin Lecture, a compilation of three talks by the noted politician. This lovely copy bears a fine senatorial connection, as it hails from the library of Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III (1930-2021) -- son of the governor, great-grandson of the vice president -- and tipped to front flyleaf is a sheet of his personal engraved Chicago letterhead. In addition, tipped to the blank leaf facing the title page is a unique frontispiece, a fine heavy stock 5" X 3" signed tremulously in old age by Douglas in black ballpoint, which he dates 28 January 1970 at upper right -- appropriate, as this was the same year that Stevenson became U.S. Senator from Illinois! Douglas (1892-1976) was not only a respected Illinois senator (1949-67), but also a distinguished economist, author of "The Theory of Wages" (1934), "Economy in the National Government" (1952), "In the Fullness of Time" (1972) and other titles. Laid in is the ideal bookmark: Douglas's original signature transmittal envelope.