The Man Who Killed Lincoln – 1939 First Edition w/ Dust Jacket | Philip Van Doren Stern | Civil War History

Up for sale is a rare and collectible 1939 first edition of The Man Who Killed Lincoln by Philip Van Doren Stern, published by The Literary Guild of America, Inc., New York. This gripping historical account tells the story of John Wilkes Booth and his role in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

📚 Item Description:

Step back into one of the most defining moments in American history with this authentic 1939 first edition of The Man Who Killed Lincoln by noted historian and author Philip Van Doren Stern.

Published by The Literary Guild of America, this gripping narrative traces the life, motivations, and final days of John Wilkes Booth, the infamous assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. This compelling edition includes dramatic illustrations, historical documentation, and unique period features that set it apart as a rare collector’s item.

📌 Item Details:

• Title: The Man Who Killed Lincoln

• Author: Philip Van Doren Stern

• Publisher: The Literary Guild of America, Inc., New York

• Edition: First Literary Guild Edition

• Year Published: 1939

• Format: Hardcover with original illustrated red dust jacket

• Binding: Clothbound with gilt spine title panel

• Pages: Approx. 300

• Dimensions: Approx. 22.5 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: ~670g (estimate)

🏷️ Special Features:

• 📖 Original dust jacket (worn with edge tears, creases, and chips—see photos)

• 🗺️ Fold-out map detailing Booth’s escape route following Lincoln’s assassination (dated April 1865)

• 📸 Frontispiece photo of John Wilkes Booth

• 🧾 Historical playbill reproduction for Ford’s Theatre, April 14, 1865

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 List of key conspirators and historical figures

• ✍️ Quote on rear jacket from Walt Whitman’s 1879 lecture on the death of Abraham Lincoln

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🧾 Condition Report:

• Interior: Clean, unmarked pages; secure binding

• Exterior: Cloth hardcover in excellent shape

• Dust Jacket: Present but worn; shows multiple small tears, edge wear, chipping, and creasing

• Map: Intact and neatly folded

• Overall: Good vintage condition considering age

📦 Shipping:

• Ships securely packed in archival-safe materials

• 📍 From Australia – combined shipping available

• International buyers welcome 🌎