Description
This is the scarce 1931 first American edition of If: Or, History Rewritten, a groundbreaking anthology of speculative and alternate history essays edited by John Collings Squire and published by Viking Press. Featuring an impressive lineup of early 20th-century thinkers, this volume asks a simple yet profound question: what if history had taken a different turn?
What makes this particular copy especially intriguing is a circular embossed library stamp on the rear flyleaf that reads Library of Rock Hudson, with “RH” at the center-an unusual and potentially significant provenance detail. While the connection to the famed Hollywood actor Rock Hudson cannot be confirmed without further research, the stamp alone sets this copy apart from others on the market.
The book includes speculative essays from leading authors and political figures of the era, including:
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Winston Churchill’s famous piece, “If Lee Had Not Won the Battle of Gettysburg”
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Philip Guedalla’s “If the Moors in Spain Had Won”
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G.K. Chesterton’s “If Don John of Austria Had Married Mary Queen of Scots”
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H.A.L. Fisher’s “If Napoleon Had Escaped to America”
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Milton Waldman’s “If Booth Had Missed Lincoln”
These essays are more than just intellectual exercises-they helped lay the foundation for modern alternate history fiction and have been widely referenced in academic and literary circles.
Condition:
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First U.S. edition, Viking Press, 1931
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Overall shelf wear present
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Spine is toned with light fraying at the top and bottom
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Corners show some wear; surface marks visible on the front board
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Rear flyleaf has pencil notations (a list of numbers)
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Circular embossed stamp: “Library of Rock Hudson” with initials “RH”
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No dust jacket
A rare and collectible volume of counterfactual history, made even more unusual by its stamped association with one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic figures. A must-have for collectors of historical literature, speculative essays, or unique provenance books.
