By These Words – Paul M. Angle – 1954 Rand McNally Hardcover

A wonderful vintage 1954 hardcover of By These Words: Great Documents of American Liberty, Selected and Placed in Their Contemporary Settings, edited by Paul M. Angle and illustrated by Edward A. Wilson.

The photographed title page identifies the book as By These Words and credits Paul M. Angle, with illustrations by Edward A. Wilson. The copyright page confirms 1954, Rand McNally & Company, and that the book was printed in the United States of America.

The book presents important documents from American history alongside historical context intended to place each document in its contemporary setting. Contemporary reviews describe the work as covering documents from the Mayflower Compact of 1620 through President Eisenhower's 1953 inaugural address, with an emphasis on the development of democratic government and individual liberty.

This particular copy has wonderful mid-century vintage-library character, with its dark blue cloth-covered boards, gilt spine decoration, substantial text block, aged paper, and period illustrations.

The book is especially appealing for collectors of American history, Americana, political history, constitutional history, vintage books, and literary/library décor.

Details

Title: By These Words: Great Documents of American Liberty, Selected and Placed in Their Contemporary Settings

Editor/Author: Paul M. Angle

Illustrator: Edward A. Wilson

Publisher: Rand McNally & Company

Publication Date: 1954

Place of Publication: New York, Chicago & San Francisco

Edition: 1954 edition; exact printing not confirmed from the photographed pages

Format: Hardcover

Binding: Dark blue cloth-covered boards with gilt spine decoration

Language: English

Subject: American history, American liberty, historical documents, democracy, constitutional history

Genre: History / Americana / Political History

Era: Mid-20th Century / Vintage

Country of Publication: United States

Country of Origin: United States

ISBN: None; this 1954 edition predates modern ISBN usage

Dust Jacket: Not present

Illustrations: Illustrated throughout, including period-style illustrations by Edward A. Wilson

Included: One vintage hardcover volume

The book includes historical documents and contextual introductions covering major moments in American history, including the Mayflower Compact, early colonial government, liberty and self-government, the American Revolution, the Civil War, secession, Lincoln's addresses, and later documents extending into the Eisenhower era. 

Condition: This is a vintage pre-owned book with substantial visible age and handling wear, and the photographs should be considered an important part of the condition description.

The dark blue cloth-covered boards show noticeable rubbing, fading, discoloration, surface wear, and age-related marks.

The top and bottom edges of the boards and spine show wear and fraying, particularly around the upper spine and corners.

The gilt spine decoration remains visible and gives the book a particularly attractive vintage appearance despite the wear.

The interior pages have natural age toning and discoloration, consistent with a book from 1954. The page edges also show visible age and handling wear.

The photographed pages appear intact and readable, with some expected signs of age and use.

The binding remains functional, although this is clearly an older, well-loved vintage copy rather than a pristine collector-condition example.

No dust jacket is present.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and show the actual item being offered.

Styling: This is a fantastic vintage Americana and old-library display book.

The combination of the dark blue cloth binding, gilt spine, substantial size, aged pages, historical subject matter, and mid-century illustrations gives it strong decorative appeal.

It would work beautifully in:

• Traditional libraries
• Studies and home offices
• Bookshelf displays
• Home libraries
• Americana collections
• Historical interiors
• Dark academia interiors
• Literary-themed spaces
• Vintage library collections
• American history displays
• Colonial-inspired décor
• Eclectic bookshelves
• Vintage book stacks
• Collector displays
• Reading-room décor

Especially appealing for anyone interested in:

American history • Americana • American liberty • Constitution • democracy • Civil War history • Abraham Lincoln • founding documents • political history • vintage books • historical documents • vintage library décor

The illustrations and substantial text block give this book a particularly authentic mid-century academic/library aesthetic.

This is less about pristine condition and more about the character, historical subject matter, age, and decorative presence of an authentic 1950s American history volume.

Shipping: This is a substantial vintage hardcover and will be packaged carefully to help protect the cloth binding, corners, spine, and aged pages during transit.

It will be shipped securely in protective packaging to help prevent additional bending, scuffing, corner damage, or shipping-related wear.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are paid by the buyer.

One of a kind. Once this Ugly Duckling finds its new home, it's gone.