The World’s Work: The Reminiscences of John D. Rockefeller.

ROCKEFELLER, John D.

Item Number: 137084

New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1908-1909.

John D. Rockefeller’s personal copy of The World’s Work containing The Reminiscences of John D. Rockefeller; one of only 25 numbered copies of the Author’s edition specially bound and printed on coated paper. Quarto, seven volumes in the publisher’s original full crushed red morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated with photographs and advertisements. Rockefeller’s Reminiscences were published serially in The World’s Work from January 1908 to March 1909 and contain a wealth of detail about Rockefeller’s family history, youth, and rise to fame as the richest man in America. In near fine condition. Housed in three custom half morocco clamshell boxes. From the library of  John D. Rockefeller with his bookplate to the pastedown of the January 1908 issue. Exceedingly rare and desirable from Rockefeller’s personal library.

The wealthiest American of all time, business magnate John D. Rockefeller became the richest person in America in 1937, controlling 90% of the oil industry in the United States with his oil production, refining and marketing company Standard Oil. At its height, Standard Oil was the largest petroleum company in the world. It dominated the oil products market initially through horizontal integration in the refining sector, then, in later years vertical integration; the company was an innovator in the development of the business trust. The Standard Oil trust streamlined production and logistics, lowered costs, and undercut competitors. "Trust-busting" critics accused it of using aggressive pricing to destroy competitors and form a monopoly that threatened other businesses. Rockefeller ran the company as its chairman, until his retirement in 1897. Other notable principals of the company include Henry Flagler, developer of the Florida East Coast Railway and resort cities, and Henry H. Rogers, who built the Virginian Railway.