Laurance S. Rockefeller: Catalyst For Conservation

Island Press, 1997. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Notable for laid in materials: Two typed letters signed (TLS) by Laurance Rockefeller from Fifth Avenue sending thanks (and unexpected compensation) to one Elizabeth Enos for her part in organizing a "set-up" or archive related to his collection of photographs (the second is mainly in reply to birthday greetings). A third TLS from his assistant, Ruth Haupert, is dated 2004 and shares of Rockefeller's death; it details about how she came to work for Rockefeller and her plans now that he's gone, and has more the feel fo a general life update. As the book narrates, Laurance Rockefeller was a notable conservationist (Lady Bird Johnson in 1967 labeled him "America's leading conservationist"). He bankrolled the expansion of Grand Teton National Park and helped lead and fund the establishment or expansion of national parks in California, the Virgin Islands, Vermont, Maine and Hawaii. And much more. The book is not signed itself; it is only very good with a slightly cocked spine and foxing/dust soiling to edges of the text block. The jacket is similarly very good with soiling and rubbing. But very readable and a nice collection of materials within. // Wood (+) River (=) Books specializes in ecology, natural history, nature writing, the environment, and environmental literature, with a special passion for association copies and notable inscriptions.