"YOURS IN THE BOND, 'DUTCH'": RONALD REAGAN'S COLLEGE YEARBOOK, INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY HIM AS "DUTCH"
REAGAN, Ronald. Eureka College Yearbooks. Eureka, Illinois: Junior Class, 1930-31. Two volumes. Quarto, original pattern blue and burgundy cloth, silver motifs to front boards. $12,500.
A pair of yearbooks from Eureka College for 1930 and 1931, featuring images of and commentary on a young Ronald Reagan, inscribed by him in the 1931 book next to a picture of him with the football team, "Best of luck & success to the Roommate. Remembering the stock of glassware. Yours in the bond, 'Dutch.'"
The Prism was the name of Eureka's class yearbook, with these two issues covering Reagan's freshman and sophomore year. Reagan has signed the navy 1931 issue on page 67 beside an image of himself on the football team, reading: "Best of luck & success to the Roommate. Remembering the stock of glassware. Yours in the bond, 'Dutch.'" Beneath the image, the page reads, "Reagan advanced from last year's second squad to the first team this year. He never gives up when the odds are against him. 'Dutch' made his letter easily this season and should be a mainstay next year." There are several other images of Reagan throughout the 1931 issue, on pages 45 (class photo), 89 (Tau Kappa Epsilon portrait), 114 (in a play "The Dover Road"), 118 (on The Prism staff as part of the Features team), and 139 (a Tau Kappa Epsilon group photo). It is fitting that there is a photograph of Reagan as a football player and acting in a play, as he would go on to work as a sports announcer and a Hollywood actor soon after graduation.
The burgundy colored 1930 issue of
The Prism also features the freshman Reagan, on pages 51 (class photo) and 63 (on the football team). The freshman footballer is described: "Although 'Dutch' failed to get much competition this season, he has the determination and fight which will finally win out, if he sticks to football throughout his college career. He was shifted about on the second string from end to tackle, doing his best wherever he was put. Another thing to Reagan's credit is that he was regular at all practices, a thing which is pleasing to any coach." Owner signatures. With commencement program laid into 1930 volume. In addition to Reagan's inscription, the 1931 volume contains many other inscriptions from Reagan's college classmates.
Both have expected wear from use and shelf wear, with bumped corners and spine edges. Light soiling and scratching to the covers. Minor toning and soiling to internal pages. Boldly signed by Reagan.