Ode To Nita, By Her Husband

J. EVETTS HALEY

Publication: Carl Hertzog, for J Evetts Haley 1958, N P Canyon

First edition. 8vo. Two-tone white and gray cloth, titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine, [10], 15 [5] pp., frontispiece (photograph of Mr. & Mrs. J. Evetts Haley at their JH Ranch)..Limited to 100 copies, the book was never offered for sale

Chandler Robinson says in item 31 of "J. Evetts Haley and the Passing of the Old West :" "The rarest of all Haley books, reserved for presentation to family members and intimate friends of the Haley family." This copy is inscribed at the bottom of page 15 "For the dear Paul Cates Family, who appreciate the superb qualities of character symbolized by my dear Nita -- from J. Evetts Haley."

J. Frank Dobie to Carl Hertzog, November 16, 1959 says, "In calling to mind several very beautiful printings you've made, I can recall nothing that seems so beautiful to me as Evetts' 'Funeral Oration' on Nita. I'm sure you've printed nothing that lays bare so cleanly a man's nature, his innermost being as this lays bare. Bertha and I both think that the sentence beginning, 'Laggard Death ...' is supremely beautiful, the very essence of literature" --- J. Frank Dobie."

A small bump to the spine at the base of the rear cover and covers very lightly used, else a near fine copy. Al Lowman considers this title to be the rarest of all Haley books.