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SMYTHE, David Mynders.
American Vice Consul.
Boston: The Christopher Publishing House, 1942.
Octavo. Original red cloth, gilt-lettered spine and front cover. With the original pictorial dust jacket priced $2.50.
First edition. signed by the author.
A firsthand diplomatic memoir of Europe on the eve of and during the early years of the Second World War, recounting Smythe’s service as an American vice consul in France and Spain. The narrative offers a vivid account of consular work—visas, passports, and refugee crises—amid the mounting turmoil of wartime Europe. Of particular interest are the reproduced official documents, including an exequatur issued under Francisco Franco recognizing Smythe’s post in Bilbao.
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Condition:
A very good copy in a good to very good dust jacket. Jacket shows moderate foxing and toning, with light wear and minor chipping at extremities; spine somewhat darkened. Cloth clean and bright. Text block sound, with light age toning; a few spots of foxing to endpapers. Overall an attractive and well-preserved copy, uncommon signed.
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Notes:
An engaging and relatively uncommon Foreign Service memoir, offering a ground-level perspective on diplomatic life and refugee movements in wartime Europe.
