u/CarrouselofProgress

Over the weekend at a local shop, an old book caught my eye. It is a 1915 print of a poetry book, "Sappho in Levkas" by William Alexander Percy.

When I picked it up, I read the inscription:

"To my dear friend & critic,

W. Sinkler Manning,

from W. A. Percy

November 1915.

My dear Mrs. Manning,

this book was loaned to me by Sinkler while we were in the Trojan Sector, and about ten days before the battle of the Grand Montagne (??) (Hill 378).

Until that time he had carried it with him throughout the campaign and loved to quote from it.

As I could not return it to him, I now take more pleasure than I can express in sending it to you. Most sincerely,

[illegible]

January 30, 1922"

I found the inscription to be really beautiful and interesting, so I bought it. At home, I figured I would research and see if I can find anything about the names. This sent me down a fascinating trail of WWI history...

It appears this book was gifted by the author, notable Southern poet and novelist W.A. Percy, to his dear "friend and critic" William Sinkler Manning.

Maj. Manning, came from a successful South Carolina political family. His father, Richard Irvine Manning III, was the governor of South Carolina during WWI.

Prior to the War, Manning was a successful New York Times journalist, and he felt a calling to join the military when WWI started.

It looks like Maj. Manning tragically died at the Battle of Hill 378 heroically leading his troops less than a week before the WWI Armistice was signed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Manning's heroic last battle and death was reported in national publications, such as The New York Times, as an example of patriotic sacrifice.

Percy dedicated his next poetry book to Manning's memory.

Today at a local shop I found a 1915 first printing (500 copies) of a poetry book, "Sappho in Levkas" by William Alexander Percy.

The front cover includes the following two inscriptions that appear to say:

"To my dear friend & critic,

W. Sinkler Manning,

from W. A. Percy

November 1915.

My dear Mrs. Manning,

this book was loaned to me by Sinkler while we were in the Trojan Sector, and about ten days before the battle of the Grand Montagne (Hill 378).

Until that time he had carried it with him throughout the campaign and loved to quote from it.

As I could not return it to him, I now take more pleasure than I can express in sending it to you. Most sincerely,

[illegible]

January 30, 1922"

It appears this book was gifted with an inscription by the author to his friend Manning.

Upon researching, it appears Maj. William Sinkler Manning was a successful New York Times journalist who felt a calling to join the military when WWI started. He was also the son of South Carolina Governor Richard Manning.

It looks like Maj. Manning tragically died at the Battle of Hill 378 less than a week before the WWI Armistice was signed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Not looking to sell, just wanted to share with the community.

Today at a local shop I found a 1915 first printing (500 copies) of a poetry book, "Sappho in Levkas" by William Alexander Percy.

The front cover includes the following two inscriptions that appear to say:

"To my dear friend & critic,

W. Sinkler Manning,

from W. A. Percy

November 1915.

My dear Mrs. Manning,

this book was loaned to me by Sinkler while we were in the Trojan Sector, and about ten days before the battle of the Grand Montagne (Hill 378).

Until that time he had carried it with him throughout the campaign and loved to quote from it.

As I could not return it to him, I now take more pleasure than I can express in sending it to you. Most sincerely,

[illegible]

January 30, 1922"

It appears this book was gifted with an inscription by the author to his friend Manning.

Upon researching, it appears Maj. William Sinkler Manning was a successful New York Times journalist who felt a calling to join the military when WWI started. He was also the son of South Carolina Governor Richard Manning.

It looks like Maj. Manning tragically died at the Battle of Hill 378 less than a week before the WWI Armistice was signed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Not looking to sell, just wanted to share with the community

Today at a local thrift shop I found a 1915 print of a poetry book, "Sappho in Levkas" by William Alexander Percy.

The front cover includes the following two inscriptions that appear to say:

"To my dear friend & critic,

W. Sinkler Manning,

from W. A. Percy

November 1915.

My dear Mrs. Manning,

this book was loaned to me by Sinkler while we were in the Trojan Sector, and about ten days before the battle of the Grand Montagne (Hill 378).

Until that time he had carried it with him throughout the campaign and loved to quote from it.

As I could not return it to him, I now take more pleasure than I can express in sending it to you. Most sincerely,

[illegible]

January 30, 1922"

It appears this book was gifted and by the author to Manning.

Upon researching, it appears Maj. William Sinkler Manning was a successful New York Times journalist who felt a calling to join the military when WWI started. He was also the son of South Carolina Governor Richard Manning.

It looks like Maj. Manning tragically died at the Battle of Hill 378 less than a week before the WWI Armistice was signed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.