FROUDE, James Anthony. Cæsar: A Sketch.

London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1879. First Edition.

​Octavo (8.5" x 5.75"). Bound by Hatchards in three-quarter crushed crimson morocco over matching cloth-covered boards, ruled in gilt. Spine with five raised bands, compartments decoratively framed in gilt with central dot motifs, lettered in gilt in the second compartment ("CÆSAR / FROUDE") and dated "1879" at the foot. Top edge gilt. 

​Association Copy & Presentation Letter

​Tipped onto the front flyleaf is a poignant two-page autograph presentation letter written on the official letterhead of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England (83, Pall Mall, London).

​The letter is written and signed by The Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley (Chairman of the Joint War Committee and Member of Parliament) to Sir Courtauld Thomson (British Red Cross Commissioner for France), presenting this volume on the Roman military campaigns in Gaul as a gift upon Thomson's departure from service in France during World War I:

​[Letterhead]

BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY

THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM IN ENGLAND

JOINT WAR COMMITTEE

Chairman: The Hon. Sir ARTHUR STANLEY, G.B.E., C.B., M.V.O., M.P.

83, PALL MALL, LONDON, S.W. 1

​Sept. 24. 1917.

​My dear Thompson [Thomson],

​Will you accept the very small present from me as a token of my gratitude for your many kindnesses and courteous hospitality during your Commissionership of the B.R.C.S. & Order of St. John in France.

​You have not only been the best of Commissioners but you have also been the kindest of friends to me and to all those who have had the privilege of working with you during the past two years. I can assure you for them as well as for myself that we are all deeply grateful to you, and most sincerely sorry that you have had to leave us. I hope only for a time.

​Y[ours] ever,

Arthur Stanley

​I thought a book about fighting in France would be suitable!

​A handsome, finely bound first edition of Froude’s classic biographical study of Julius Caesar. The binding is tight, square, and vibrant. Interior leaves are clean with occasional light spotting to title and preliminary leaves typical of the paper stock. An exceptional World War I association copy connecting two key figures of wartime British humanitarian leadership.