America’s Greatness (Gathered From The Works Of Woodrow Wilson), First Edition Compilation, 1931 🇺🇸📜🦁

This is a rare First Edition compilation of the essays and speeches of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. President.

The pamphlet was published in 1931, serving as a strategic rallying cry for "America's Greatness" at the height of the Great Depression.

Its value is secured by the presidential pedigree, its function as a historical morale booster, and the documented prior ownership inscription, which establishes its chain of history.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨ This softcover volume gathers core essays and philosophical arguments from Wilson's long academic and political career, with content copyrights ranging from 1896 through 1929.

The table of contents addresses profound themes on American governance and character, such as "The Habit of Democracy," "The Passing of the Frontier," and the critical essay "Men Fear Capital Now". The book features the powerful excerpt "The Flag of America," where Wilson famously likens the flag’s white stripes to "parchment upon which are written the rights of man" and the red stripes to "the streams of blood by which those rights have been made good".

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️ Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was an academic, reformer, and statesman who led the United States through World War I. His legacy is defined by the implementation of major Progressive Reforms (Federal Reserve, Clayton Antitrust Act) and his idealistic vision for the League of Nations.

This compilation was issued after his death, with copyrights held by his widow, Edith Bolling Wilson. The publisher, WM. H. Wise & Co., specialized in publishing compilations and reissues of important works. The work solidifies Wilson’s intellectual contributions to American political thought, separate from his controversial wartime decisions.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜 The publication date of 1931 places this volume at the historical nadir of the Great Depression, when unemployment was soaring and national confidence was shattered.

The book’s very existence is a testament to the publisher’s attempt to leverage the powerful, optimistic rhetoric of a past President to inspire confidence and national unity during the unprecedented economic crisis. It is a direct reflection of the public’s desperate search for historical authority and philosophical grounding amidst economic collapse. The essays themselves, written in the Progressive Era, offer a contemporary analysis of capitalism and democracy that resonated sharply with the challenges of the 1930s.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️ This pamphlet is an essential document for a curator of Presidential First Editions, Great Depression Americana, or 20th-Century Political Thought.

It is ideally suited for a collector who specializes in the literary legacy of Woodrow Wilson and the history of presidential rhetoric used during times of national crisis. The prior ownership inscription makes this copy a unique artifact with a traceable history, enhancing its value for genealogists and collectors of documented ephemera.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️ This is a First Edition compilation that is 94 years old, surviving from the depths of the Great Depression. Due to its format as a non-commercial softcover pamphlet, its survival rate is significantly lower than that of hardcover trade editions.

Its Bibliographical Scarcity is high due to its ephemeral format and the specific political context of its publication. The value is secured by the presidential pedigree and the documented inscription of "Berton L Chapman," which transforms a scarce copy into a unique association piece with a documented history.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨ The physical condition has been assessed directly from the provided high-resolution photography. The object is deemed to be in Very Good Vintage Condition, with cosmetic defects consistent with its age and softcover format.

• Covers: The outer softcover is intact and shows heavy, expected age-related toning.

• Binding: The binding is structurally sound, and the pages are firmly held.

• Interior Pages: The pages are clean and bright with clear type throughout.

• Inscription: Prior ownership inscription is present on the front flyleaf.

• Tears: There is a small closed tear visible at the base of the spine.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The Publisher's Intent: The publisher chose the title "America's Greatness" as a direct appeal to national morale in 1931, two years into the economic collapse of the Great Depression.

• Runnymede Analogy: In the excerpt "The Flag of America," Wilson compares the American flag to a "sort of floating charter that has come down to us from Runnymede," referencing the signing site of the Magna Carta.

• The Widow’s Copyright: The latest copyright, 1929, is held by Edith Bolling Wilson, the President's widow, indicating her control over the literary estate and the ongoing publication of his works.

• Presidential Seal: The title page features a stylized American Eagle above a shield, reinforcing the official, patriotic nature of the compilation.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Object Type: Presidential Compilation / Political Philosophy

• Title: America’s Greatness, Gathered From The Works Of Woodrow Wilson

• Author/Maker: Woodrow Wilson

• Year/Period: 1931 (Great Depression)

• Publisher/Foundry: WM. H. Wise & Co.

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: First Edition Compilation Softcover Pamphlet

• Rarity: Specialized / High Scarcity

• Verbatim Transcription (Inscription): Berton L Chapman