[United States Naval Academy]; B.K. Johnson (Editor-in-Chief)

Lucky Bag, 1904 [Association Copy: Inscribed by David McDougal LeBreton, a 1904 graduate who retired at the rank of Rear Admiral]; Volume XI

[Baltimore, MD]: [Engraving, Printing and Binding by the Williams & Wilkins Company Art Press], 1904. Hardcover. Oblong quarto size, 262 pp., inscribed on the FFEP by David McDougal LeBreton. Near fine. Item #22082003

While early copies of the "Lucky Bag" (the yearbook for the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis) are collectable in and of themselves, this copy more so by being inscribed by Rear Admiral David McDougal LeBreton (1884-1973). The inscription is as follows: "For Allen G. Wright - / Hoping it will bring back some recollections / of your visit to Annapolis - / David McDougal LeBreton / Christmas, 1903 / this may be a trifle incomprehensible to you, / but I think you were in Annapolis long enough / to learn a little of 'language', and a few of the / faces may be familiar to you -"

Per the web site of "The Wall of Valor Project": David McDougal LeBreton "graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1904. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral." He was awarded the Navy Cross for Actions During World War I: "for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Offer of the U.S.S. Aylwin, engaged in the important, exacting and hazaardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I."

"In 1940, Rear Admiral LeBreton was the Commander of Battleship Division Five. He was also the Commander of Task Force 19 which landed the Marines on Iceland on 7 July 1941. That same month he was the Commander of Task Force 1 based at Narragansett Bay and Boston. LeBreton became the President of the Board of Inspection and Survey from December of 1941 to November 1942 and was appointed the Commandant of the Fifth Naval District from 30 October 1943 to 20 August 1945. Rear Admiral David McDougal LeBreton died on 6 September 1973 in Paris, France. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD" (Ibid).

A picture of LeBreton can be found on p. 15, a listing of the "Staff Officers", with "D. McD. LeBreton" being included as one of two Cadet-Lieutenant-Commanders. His individual entry is on p. 53, wherein he was designated as "[t]he reincarnation of Isaac Newton...[l]ooks at his bookshelf two minutes before a recitation and makes a 4.0..."

Also included in this yearbook are: William Frederick "Bull" Halsey, Jr. (Class of 1904, who would go on to become an admiral during WWII); C[hester] W. Nimitz (Class of 1905, who would later serve as Chief of Naval Operations from 1945 until 1947); and R[aymond] A. Spruance (Class of 1907, who also would become an admiral, one of the commanders during the Battle of Midway and known as one of the greater admirals in American naval history).

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full natural linen over thick boards, brown leather label with gilt lettering and border inset onto the front board, all edges of the cloth untrimmed, printer's ticket on the front pastedown, inscription by LeBreton on the front free endpaper as set forth above, as with most yearbooks the volume is replete with black-and-white reproductions of photographs of, mostly, the young men but also a few ships and some scenery; oblong quarto size (10.5" wide by 8" tall), pagination: [1-6] 7-235 [27 pp. advertisments].

___CONDITION: Near fine, the cloth covering the boards relatively unworn (other than the untrimmed edges), a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and other than the inscription entirely free of prior owner markings; some minor soiling and foxing to the cloth and a small chip out of the bottom corner of the front free endpaper.

___POSTAGE: Please note that this is an unusually heavy volume and additional postage may apply; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Price: $600.00