The Kentucky by Thomas D. Clark
Signed and Personally Inscribed by the Author
Henry Clay Press Revised Edition 1969
Offered here is a signed and personally inscribed copy of The Kentucky by noted Kentucky historian Thomas D. Clark. This is the 1969 revised edition published by Henry Clay Press of Lexington, Kentucky, and reprinted by arrangement with Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
The title page contains a full presentation inscription written in ink:
To Donald S. Mull
with warmest good wishes
Thomas D. Clark
April 24 1993
The inscription appears handwritten rather than printed. The ink shows natural variation in pressure and flow, and the wording, placement and signed name are consistent with a personal presentation inscription. Based on the photographs, it appears to be an original author inscription. No third-party authentication is included.
Publication Details
Title: The Kentucky
Author: Thomas D. Clark
Publisher: Henry Clay Press
Place of publication: Lexington, Kentucky
Edition: Revised Edition
Publication date: 1969
Original copyright: 1942 by Thomas D. Clark
Printing statement: Reprinted by arrangement with Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc
Format: Hardcover
Binding: Tan cloth-covered boards printed with a historical Kentucky map design in reddish brown
Dust jacket: Clear transparent jacket with printed promotional text
Pagination: Text continues beyond page 401; the exact final numbered page is not visible in the photographs
Approximate size: About 8 1/2 inches tall by approximately 5 3/4 inches wide
ISBN: None visible
UPC or catalog number: None visible
Binding and Design
The publisher’s hardcover binding is especially attractive, with a historical map of Kentucky reproduced across the front board, spine and rear board. The title and author’s name are printed in light-colored lettering on the front and spine, with the Henry Clay Press imprint at the base of the spine.
The map design shows early Kentucky counties, waterways, settlements and regional place names. The rear board continues the map image and includes portions of western Kentucky, Nelson County and Logan County.
Contents and Illustrations
This is a historical and cultural account of the Kentucky River and the communities, people, traditions and events associated with it.
The table of contents shown includes:
The River
John Swift’s Silver
Boonesborough Frontier Outpost
Off to Orleans
Kentucky Steamboats
Bluegrass Kentuckian
Kentuckian Mountaineer
All Hands Up and Circle Left
A Land in Which to Dream
Shakers
Hard Shells
Funeralizing
A Kentucky Symbol
Graham’s Springs
Born to Be a Princess
Dr Warfield’s Colt Lexington
Lion of White Hall
Shryock’s Ferry
Nancy Hanks
The Log Run
Moonshiners
Politics Kentucky Style
Kentucky Must Eat
The Onward Flow
The book includes historical maps and black-and-white photographic illustrations. One photographed spread shows White Hall, the Madison County home associated with Cassius M. Clay. The caption describes Clay posing in front of White Hall for a Lexington photographer at age 84.
The illustrated title-page spread includes a map tracing the Kentucky River and identifying locations such as Frankfort, Lexington, Winchester, Boonesborough, Red River, Hazard, Manchester and Pine Mountain.
Condition
The hardcover boards remain visually attractive, with the historical map design still clear. The cloth shows light surface rubbing and mild handling wear. The board edges and corners show minor shelf wear and slight softening.
The binding appears intact and the pages shown remain firmly attached. The text block appears generally clean, with light age toning. No widespread foxing, highlighting, underlining or marginal writing is visible in the photographed pages.
The title page bears the author’s inscription, which is intentional and is a collectible feature rather than a condition flaw.
The lower spine and lower corner area show rubbing and possible fraying. The bottom of the front joint appears slightly worn. The boards remain attached.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the condition description.
411 pages +index