The Complete Writings of Theodore Roosevelt 21/22 Volumes, Royal Limited Edition #242/650 Copies.

The Complete Writings of Theodore Roosevelt 21/22 Volumes, Royal Limited Edition #242/650 Copies. (lacking Rough Riders).

The first collected edition of Theodore Roosevelt’s writings, published by Gebbie & Company in 1903 while Roosevelt was president. The complete edition comprised 22 volumes encompassing his historical works, biographies, political and social essays, Western writings, hunting narratives, and military history. Swann Galleries likewise identifies the 1903 Gebbie edition as Roosevelt’s first collected edition. This set lacking Rough Riders.

1903. Philadelphia: Gebbie and Company. 8vo.(5.5" x 8.25") 21 of 22 volumes. Royal Edition, Limited Edition #242/650 copies. Three quarter navy pebbled leather with generous corners, bright gilt fancy rule to all leather edges, over marbled boards. Spine with five gilt decorated raised bands, gilt lettering to second and third compartments, fancy gilt floral rule and devices centered to all others.All edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Minor rubbing, soiling to extremities, spines lightly dulled. Bookplate of Oliver Twist to front pastedown. Title pages in red and black. Every volume with frontispiece and several plates. It is generally described as the first collected edition of Roosevelt’s writings.

It was published while Roosevelt was president. “Complete” means complete through 1903. It naturally does not contain later books such as African Game Trails, Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography or Through the Brazilian Wilderness. The Royal Edition was limited to 650 numbered sets. lacking the volume "The Rough Riders".

The attestation page states: Royal Edition, The Royal Edition is Printed from Type and Will be Limited to Six Hundred and Fifty Copies, of Which This is No. 242. Gebbie and Company. This set comprises: American Ideals and Other Essays, Social and Political (2 volumes), Hero Tales from American History (1 volume), The Strenuous Life (1 volume), Thomas Hart Benton (1 volume), The Naval War of 1812 (2 volumes), Oliver Cromwell (1 volume), Gouverneur Morris (1 volume), New York (1 volume), Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail (1 volume), The Wilderness Hunter (2 volumes), Hunting Trips of a Ranchman (2 volumes), and The Winning of the West (6 volumes). The Rough Riders (1 volume) is missing.