Description
Inscribed to White House Press Secretary Mary Finch Hoyt, deluxe Presidential Edition of Why Not The Best?, signed by President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Small octavo, 208pp. Green leather, gilt title on spine, presidential seal in gilt on cover. All edges gilt. “Presidential Edition” is blacked out on title page, the only copy we’ve seen like this. Housed in publisher’s gold clamshell box, plastic cover over top.
Inscription reads: “To Mary Hoyt, Best Wishes and Thanks for all your help. Merry Christmas 1980. Rosalynn Carter / Jimmy Carter.”
Mary Finch Hoyt (1923-2013) served as press secretary to Rosalynn Carter as first lady. She had previously worked as a press aide for Jane Muskie during the 1968 Democratic presidential campaign and later Eleanor McGovern during the 1972 Democratic campaign. She would serve as press secretary for Mrs. Carter from 1977-1981. She wrote her memoirs in 2001, titled “East Wing: Politics, the Press, and a First Lady.”
