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The History of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1817-1992 by J. Fred Patton (Signed First Edition), 1992 🤠📖🇺🇸

Name: The History of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1817-1992 by J. Fred Patton (Signed First Edition), 1992 🤠📖🇺🇸
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 200.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$200.00

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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is an exceptionally rare and uniquely preserved signed first edition of The History of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1817-1992 by J. Fred Patton. This volume is not merely a regional history, but a singular historical artifact with a documented provenance that is authenticated and enriched by the inclusion of ephemera from its original dedication.

The author's signature, combined with the photographs and handwritten notes, elevates this piece to a museum-grade collectible for a curator of American history.

This book is a tangible connection to a bygone era of wilderness exploration and traditional hunting. It is not merely a book but a primary source glimpse into the lives of hunters and the state of wildlife during the 19th century. The book's authenticity and pristine condition, despite being over four decades old, elevate it to a genuine collector's item that can be the centerpiece of a private library.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The History of Fort Smith, Arkansas is the definitive account of the city’s development, from its origins as a frontier outpost to its modern identity. It chronicles the city's unique position at the crossroads of the American West and South, a place where different cultures and historical forces converged. The book meticulously documents key events, influential figures, and cultural milestones, providing a rich and comprehensive narrative for both the scholar and the general reader.

Fort Smith, established in 1817 by the U.S. Army, was a military post designed to keep peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes. Its location at Belle Point, where the Arkansas and Poteau rivers meet, made it a vital hub. The city's history is characterized by its role as a major supply depot during the Mexican-American War and the California Gold Rush, and later as the headquarters for the Federal Court of the Western District of Arkansas, presided over by the legendary "Hanging Judge," Isaac C. Parker. The court's jurisdiction extended into the lawless Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and played a crucial role in bringing law and order to the frontier. The book details these pivotal moments and their impact on the city's growth.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

J. Fred Patton was a lifelong resident and dedicated historian of Fort Smith, Arkansas. His passion for preserving local history is evident in the meticulous detail and scholarly rigor of his work. As an esteemed local historian, his writings are considered authoritative sources on the city’s past. This book, a culmination of his research, stands as his most important contribution to the historical record of the region.

The author also had a distinguished career as an educator, businessman, and civic leader. He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a B.A. and M.A. in history and political science, and he did graduate work at Harvard and at George Peabody College. His career as an educator, administrator, and school board member in the Fort Smith Public Schools and at Fort Smith Junior College (now University of Arkansas – Fort Smith) is evidence to his dedication to his community.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1992 to coincide with the 175th anniversary of Fort Smith's founding, this book is a reflection of a time when local communities were actively commemorating and preserving their unique pasts. It serves as a historical benchmark, capturing the city’s story at a specific moment in time and ensuring that its legacy would not be lost to future generations. This volume is a testament to the enduring value of local histories and the deep connections people have to their communities. The included photograph of the book's dedication event adds a powerful, humanizing layer of history.

The book is a "time capsule" of late 20th-century American social and political thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual expression and personal narratives were highly valued, and provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream culture.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is perfectly suited for a curator of regional Americana, a collector of signed first editions of historical works, or a scholar of frontier American history. Its unique provenance and signed status, confirmed by the included event photos and dedication notes, make it a singular acquisition for a collector seeking to acquire not just a book, but a piece of the city's living, documented history.

The book appeals to a collector who values the book for its:

Intellectual and historical importance.
Unique, multi-layered provenance.
Museum-grade quality and documented history.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This is an uncommonly rare and highly sought-after signed first edition. Its value is derived from its scarcity and its unique, multi-layered provenance. The author’s signature, combined with a separate note identifying the book’s dedication and attendees, authenticates its unique history and significantly elevates its value beyond a simple signed copy. This fully documented history makes it a durable and non-replicable asset that will only appreciate in value.

A strategic investor recognizes that the opportunity to acquire this publication is a singular event for a private collector. This book is a unique and non-replicable asset with a value that far exceeds that of a standard first edition.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved example of a modern collectible. The hardcover is in excellent condition, with vibrant colors and a clean interior. The dust jacket, however, shows visible wear, including rubbing and creasing, which authenticates its long life.

Binding: The book is a hardcover with a dust jacket. The binding is tight and sound, and the pages are clean and unmarked.
Dust Jacket: The dust jacket shows visible wear and tear, including rubbing and scuffing. It has some small tears and creases, but the colors remain vibrant.
Interior: The interior is in pristine condition with clean and unmarked pages.
Ephemera: The book is accompanied by a photograph and a handwritten note from the book's dedication event, which adds a unique layer of provenance.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Frontier Justice: The Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the site of the federal court and the gallows used by the legendary "Hanging Judge," Isaac C. Parker. Over 24 years, 86 men were hanged at the court.
A "King's" Haircut: During his service at nearby Camp Chaffee in the 1950s, Elvis Presley famously received his first military haircut, an event that made national headlines.
Refugee Sanctuary: In the mid-1970s and 1980s, Fort Chaffee provided safe shelter for thousands of Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, and Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War, as well as thousands of Cuban refugees during the Mariel boatlift.
A "King's" Haircut: During his service at nearby Camp Chaffee in the 1950s, Elvis Presley famously received his first military haircut, an event that made national headlines.
Refugee Sanctuary: In the mid-1970s and 1980s, Fort Chaffee provided safe shelter for thousands of Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, and Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War, as well as thousands of Cuban refugees during the Mariel boatlift.
Where the New South Meets the Old West: Fort Smith's modern motto, "Where the New South Meets the Old West," reflects its unique cultural blend, influenced by both its deep southern roots and its history as a wild western frontier town.