The Story of Illinois

Garden City: Garden City Books, 1956. Hardcover. Illustrations by John N. Barron. 4to. Glossy pictorial paper over boards, pictorial dust jacket. 56pp. Numerous line drawings, map/pictorial endpapers. Near fine/very good. Faint jacket edgewear. A bright and tight and lovely first edition of this slim state history for young adults -- with choice autograph addition: Tipped opposite the title page is a Typed Note Signed from Hansen, 1p, 8½" X 11", New York, NY. 11 March 1959. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar and long-time officer with the New York Civil War Round Table. Very good. Faint original folds. On "The World Almanac" letterhead citing him as editor, Hansen tells the Round Table officer "I did not use the three dinner tickets last night. Can you give me a credit on future meals? My guests mistook the hour and we had to get dinner outside." Signed boldly in full in black ink. Hansen (1884-1977) was the long-time and widely-syndicated "Chicago Daily News" literary editor (1915-45) whose views and reviews on bookish topics became well known and highly regarded; he was also a noted radio book-talk personality and guest panelist; he edited many volumes, including many of the WPA state guides.