- Written by
- Rumsfeld, Donald, American, 1932 - 2021
- Published by
- Random House, Inc., American, founded 1925
- Owned by
- General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
- Powell, Alma J., American, 1937 - 2024
- Date
- 2011
- Medium
- ink on paper (fiber product) and cardboard
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (open): 9 1/2 × 14 1/2 × 1 7/8 in. (24.2 × 36.8 × 4.8 cm)
- H x W x D (closed): 9 5/8 × 6 7/16 × 1 7/8 in. (24.4 × 16.4 × 4.8 cm)
- Caption
- This book belonged to General Colin Powell and is inscribed by the author. Donald Rumsfeld and Powell served together in the George W. Bush administration. Rumsfeld served as U.S.
- Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006, a position he had previously held under President Ford.
- Description
- A signed, hardcover first edition of Known and Unknown: A Memoir, written by former United States Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld with inscription to General Colin L. Powell. The book features a glossy color paper jacket over its cream hardcover. The blue spine displays the book title, author, and publisher name with logo, printed vertically in gold text. On the front cover is an engraved “DR”. There are no markings on the back cover. The jacket front is a large photograph of Rumsfeld standing in front of a large brown fence, with a blue sky and mountain behind him. In large white text the front jacket reads: [DONALD / RUMSFELD / Known and / Unknown / A Memoir]. The spine of the jacket features the same text as the cover in gold and white print and the last page is numbered at 815. On the title page of the book, inscribed and signed in black marker, is a note from Donald Rumsfeld to General Colin L. Powell, “To Colin Powell - / With my respect and / admiration for your long / service to our country - / Donald Rumsfeld”. On the reverse of the jacket, is a half black-and-white photograph of Donald Rumsfeld, seated with one hand against his face. He wears eyeglasses, a wristwatch, patterned necktie with dress shirt and a suit. In the black block on the left, with white and gold text, is a snippet of the book text regarding the Vietnam War.
- Place printed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Books and Published Materials
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
- Object number
- A2022.101.1.50
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Random House, Inc
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




