The Collected Writings of James T. Hickey from Publications of the Illinois State Historical Society, 1953-1984

Springfield: The Illinois State Historical Society, 1990. Hardcover. Small 4to. Dark blue cloth with white lettering. ix, 232pp. Illustrations. Fine. A handsome, tight, pristine second printing of this collection of Hickey's mainly Lincoln-related essays -- this copy boldly signed by Hickey in black fineline on the half-title page PLUS bearing choice Typed Letter Signed fom Hickey tipped to blank leaf facing title page, a kind of unique frontispiece! 1p, 8½" X 11", Springfield, IL, 3 February 1978. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. On "Illinois State Historical Library" letterhead, Hickey chats cordially with his friend, most notably discussing a controversy: "Ralph Newman had told me of your problems with Lincoln Memorial University. It seems they are a problem for all their old friends. They have certainly caused me some headaches with their treatment of Robert Lincoln Beckwith. It is too bad for if they had acted differently there would have been some very nice Lincoln relics for them. As it is we will have to find another home for the items...." Signed simply "Jim." Hickey (1922-96) was a prolific and well-regarded Lincoln historian.