Item 70 is a broadside early call by organized labor to flex its political muscle. From 1867, the broadside announces, Workingmen, Arouse! Okay, that's not quite as catchy as "workers of the world unite," but it will do. It was directed at workingmen in Albany, New York, and some union workers wanted them to defeat the Republican candidate for County Sheriff, I.N. Keeler. They demonstrate Keeler's opposition to unions by noting that he had refused to buy any tickets for the Printers' Union Excursion, "emphatically declined to do so, and shaking his head as if in contempt of the enterprise, proclaimed that he was 'opposed to all Trades' Unions.'" As best I can tell, Isaac Keeler was not elected Sheriff, though he did become County Clerk the next year. $650.

 

Item 184 is My Luke and I, a remembrance of Lou Gehrig, written by his widow, Eleanor, and Joseph Durso. Lou Gehrig was one of baseball's greatest hitters ever, leader of the 1920s and 1930s New York Yankees, along with Babe Ruth. Many records, including most consecutive games played, were set by Gehrig. Tragically, he was struck with an incurable illness, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, today commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," in 1937 and died in 1941. Eleanor Gehrig lived over 40 more years but never remarried. This book was published in 1976 (first edition) and the copy is signed by both Mrs. Gehrig and Durso. $400.

 

Between The Covers Rare Books may be reached at 856-456-8008 or mail@betweenthecovers.com. Their website is www.betweenthecovers.com.