Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - August - 2010 Issue
Arctic and Canadiana from Bjarne Tokerud Bookseller
President Harding plays his last round of golf; Florence Tasker in stylish mosquito netting.
Here is another photograph album, and it features the journey of a famous American noted for things other than travel, Harding: The Man. A Photo Album Documenting the Visit of U.S. President Warren Harding to Vancouver. The U.S. President noted for a scandal-ridden administration and not much else visited Vancouver in July 1923. His trip started with a visit to Alaska, the first such visit by an American President. The President was not in good health and looked far less than robust but decided a "Voyage of Understanding" was a worthwhile effort. He then traveled south to British Columbia, and it was during this stop that photographer W.J. Moore took the shots that formed this album. It appears that he made at most a very few copies of his album, possibly for use by a Canadian bank. Moore provided captions for his photographs, such as one showing Harding teeing up for a round of golf. Harding is quoted as saying, "If I make a miss, give me a little sympathy, and if I make a 100 yd. drive, I would like a little applause." It was Harding's last round of golf. The President than proceeded to Seattle, where he gave his last speech, as he was now seriously ill. Harding pushed on to San Francisco, where he died on August 2. Naturally, these are among the last pictures of an active Harding. Item 5. $4,000.
Bjarne Tokerud Bookseller may be reached at 250-381-2230 or bjarnetokerud@shaw.ca. Their website is www.bjarnetokerud.com.
