Arthur L. Wagner

The Service of Security and Information [WWI General Tasker H. Bliss's copy]

Washington, D.C. James J. Chapman, 1893. Very Good. Item #25980

Washington, D.C.: James J. Chapman, 1893. First Edition. Ownership inscription of Tasker H. Bliss vertically to title page at fore-edge Octavo; xiv, 265pp. 15 plates (incl. one folding, one colored) all present. Brown cloth with blindstamped border and gilt lettering. Boards a bit rubbed along edges with scuffs at corners and bumping at spine ends. Gilt dulled. Endpapers toned. Opens flatly to center and easily between a few gatherings, but binding is holding soundly. Pages unmarked.

Text on military intelligence, security, and information gathering, with sections on the advance guard, outposts, reconnaissance, the cavalry screen, rear guards, spies, newspapers, orientation and map reading, and Indian scouting. This copy formerly owned by World War I Army Chief of Staff and Treaty of Versailles co-signatory Tasker H. Bliss, signed "Tasker H. Bliss / Captain & aide de camp" on title page. Bliss served as aide-de-camp to U.S. Army Commanding General John M. Schofield beginning in 1888, and was promoted to captain in December of 1892, just before this book's publication.

Price: $150.00