inscribed by the author to prohibitionist leader Earl Dodge

A reflection on electoral defeat by Roger Babson (1875-1967), an economist and temperance campaigner who stood unsuccessfully for the Prohibition Party in the US presidential election of 1940.

Babson is better known for his The Future Method of Inventing Money (1914), a frank insider account of the investment world dedicated to the premise that knowing when to buy is more important than knowing what to buy. He had earlier founded the eponymous Babson's Reports, one of the earliest investment newsletters in the USA.

Inscribed by the author to the future chairman of the Prohibition Party Earl Dodge (1932-2007): 'Dedication. See Page 147 which shows what church people could do for us if we had a ticket which they would value. To Mr Earl Dodge with great respect for his good works and patience. Roger H. Babson, Jan. 3rd. 1961'. Unfortunately the votes never quite materialised, and Dodge was unsuccessful in all six of his bids (in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) to become president of the USA.

First edition, inscribed by the author; 8vo (19.5 x 13.5 cm); presentation inscription to front free endpaper recto; unclipped dust-jacket, publisher's red cloth, spine lettered in blue, jacket spotted and frayed with minor loss to edges; x, 254pp.