Walter Lord Illustrations

[Allen Wiener]

I came across an unusual, and possibly rare, condensed version of Walter Lord's "A Time To Stand." It was included with condensed versions of several other books in a 1962 volume of the Reader's Digest Condensed Books (Volume 1 - 1962 - Winter Selections).

The book includes several color illustrations that were not included with the regular, full editions of the book, drawn by James Alexander. There are also a number of odd-looking sketches of Bowie, Crockett, Travis, Santa Anna, copied from originals by Ben Stahl.

I have included, below, the color illustrations.

AW

[TRK]

This is a surprise: I never knew that there was a condensed version of A Time to Stand, and there was always a mess of Readers' Digest condensed books around my house in those days. RD condensed books are a dime a dozen; any reason why you think this edition is a rarity, Allen?

[Allen Wiener]

I have no idea Tom. My mother also had these all over the house at that time I sure would have spotted this one, if she didn't put me onto it first. She often pointed out books in those collections that she thought I'd be interested in.

I came across this one in the small library at an Inn we stayed at somewhere in Vermont more than 20 years ago. The book was pretty beat up even then and the proprietor was happy to let me have it. It's the only copy I've ever seen.

I wonder if anyone's selling these on eBay?

AW

[sloanrodgers]

Cool water colors. You have a real treasure there, Allen.

[Rich Curilla]

I have a perfect copy of this book someplace, but I haven't seen it in years.

It is interesting to look at the Bexar map now and notice that somebody (Alexander? Lord? Readers Digest?!) corrected Lord's battery error perpetuated by the map in his book. The "batteries" at the old mill and powder house have been eliminated. Lord read "entrenched encampments" and thought that included batteries. But this later illustration map has moved the Yturri house around to the back of the block instead of on the plaza.

It's also fun to note that the Alamo depicted on the title page has strong touches of the Waynamo.

[Allen Wiener]

I agree; I thought they were a very unique set of drawings, unlike other Alamo books. I like the one of little Enrique Esparza being hoisted through the window, especially given the recent discussions here. Hard to tell what window they tried to depict; looks like the church to me.

AW