The Charter of the United Nations

With Addresses Selected from the Proceedings of the United Nations Conference, San Francisco, April–June 1945

Published in the same year as the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, this handsome commemorative edition stands as one of the earliest published records of the creation of the modern international order. Issued shortly after the historic United Nations Conference on International Organization held in San Francisco between April and June 1945, the volume preserves both the complete text of the Charter and a remarkable collection of speeches delivered by the statesmen who helped shape the post-war world.

Bound in the publisher's original brown cloth, the volume is decorated in gilt with the early United Nations emblem on the upper cover and titled in gilt on a black morocco-style spine label. In addition to the Charter itself, the work includes selected addresses by many of the principal architects of the United Nations, including President Harry S. Truman, Edward R. Stettinius Jr., V. M. Molotov, Jan Masaryk, Carlos P. Romulo, Jan Smuts, Anthony Eden, and other delegates whose deliberations laid the foundations of the international system that continues to shape global diplomacy today.

This copy is distinguished by an attractive contemporary presentation label reading:

"Presented to Karl M. Knapp in Appreciation of Services Rendered to the Pennsylvania War Fund During 1945."

The recipient can be identified as Karl M. Knapp of Pittsburgh, a prominent Pennsylvania business executive and civic leader. Knapp served as District Sales Manager of the Universal-Cyclops Steel Corporation and was active in Pennsylvania civic affairs, later serving as a Rotary district governor and, by the late 1950s, as a Director of Rotary International. The presentation therefore provides an attractive association with a figure from Pennsylvania's wartime business and civic community, linking this commemorative volume to the broader civilian mobilization surrounding the final year of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.

The presentation label is signed by Ralph E. Weeks, who served as State Campaign Chairman of the Pennsylvania War Fund, the state organization associated with the nationwide wartime fundraising effort coordinated through the National War Fund. A prominent Scranton businessman and civic leader, Weeks helped direct Pennsylvania's campaign to raise funds for wartime relief and humanitarian organizations. 

The presentation provides an appealing piece of wartime provenance, linking the volume to the civilian mobilization that accompanied the final year of the Second World War and the emergence of the United Nations.

Condition

A Near Fine copy in the original publisher's brown cloth, decorated in gilt with the early United Nations emblem on the upper cover and titled in gilt on a black morocco-style spine label. The binding remains firm and attractive, with only light signs of careful handling consistent with age. Internally clean and well preserved. The contemporary presentation label remains bright and securely affixed, adding an appealing element of historical provenance.

Bibliographical Details

Title: The Charter of the United Nations: With Addresses Selected from the Proceedings of the United Nations Conference, San Francisco, April–June 1945

Publisher: The Haddon Craftsmen

Place of Publication: Scranton, Pennsylvania

Year: 1945

Edition: Commemorative First Edition

Binding: Original publisher's brown cloth, gilt decoration with early United Nations emblem and black morocco-style spine label

Provenance: Contemporary presentation label to Karl M. Knapp for services to the Pennsylvania War Fund (1945) from Ralph E. Weeks,-State Campaign Chairman of the Pennsylvania War Fund. 

Condition: Near Fine