Bloody Williamson: A Chapter in American Lawlessness

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985. Hardcover. 8vo. Black cloth with silver spine lettering, pictorial price-clipped dust jacket. xiv, 300pp, xiv. 4 maps. Near fine/very good. Jacket faintly edgeworn only. Tight, attractive later (15th) printing of this uncommon 1952 study, described on front jacket panel "A chapter in American lawlessness" and "A shocking and hair-raising story of unparalleled violence and disorder" that occurred near Herrin in southern Illinois in 1922. Not only does this copy bear a "Compliments of the Author" card tipped to inner flyleaf, but tipped in facing this is a choice autograph addition: Typed Letter Signed from Angle, 1p, 8" X 11", Springfield, IL, 22 July 1940. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. Faint original mailing folds. On "Illinois State Historical Society" letterhead citing Angle as "Librarian," he thanks this admirer for a poem/essay booklet "Song of the Leaves: Quest for Johnny Appleseed": "I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Having been born and reared in Mansfield, Ohio, I cannot remember the time when I did not know the name and tradition of Johnny Appleseed." Boldly signed in full at the close in black ink. A delightful copy.