Description:

West Point
West Point, NY, ca. 1903
MacArthur, Grant III, 90+ Sign West Point Year Book! One of A Kind! Truly Remarkable!
Signed book

Rare and historically significant 1903 United States Military Academy (West Point) yearbook signed by 94 cadets including Douglas MacArthur and U.S. Grant III. The book is richly bound in black leather with a gilt-embossed USMA crest featuring the class year "1903" prominently displayed on the cover with gilt edged pages. The lower left bears the gold-stamped name "Scott Baker," the cadet to whom the book originally belonged. The exceptional volume contains over 100 photographic portraits of cadets, with the majority autographed just beneath their images. The images were taken by the renowned Pach Brothers Studio, the official West Point photographers of the era. In addition to individual portraits, the book includes images of cadets in full dress uniform, officers, instructors, and group shots capturing daily life, sports, drills, and camaraderie at the Academy. The yearbook remains in good condition overall, exhibiting expected edge wear to the leather cover, minor toning to the pages, and some interior hinge separation, all consistent with its age and historical use. The book measures 14" x 10" x 1.75."

This is the earliest example of a MacArthur signature that we have handled at University Archives. While MacArthur and Grant III are the highlights, there are over 90 additional signatures included in the book and it is certainly worthy of further research. Can you spot MacArthur on the baseball team?

The West Point Class of 1903 graduated into a rapidly modernizing U.S. Army during a pivotal era following the Spanish-American War, as the nation expanded its global influence and transitioned from 19th-century military traditions to 20th-century mechanization and global conflict. Many cadets from this class would go on to serve with distinction in both World Wars, playing crucial roles in shaping U.S. military history. Their yearbook, known as the "Howitzer," serves not only as a commemorative artifact but also as a valuable primary source, preserving the faces and early signatures of future generals and decorated servicemen. Yearbooks from this era, especially those signed by multiple cadets, let alone over 100, are exceptionally scarce and typically held in institutional collections, making surviving examples highly desirable among collectors and historians.

Scott Baker (1882–1917), the original owner of this 1903 West Point yearbook, served four years in the Philippines following his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy. He was promoted to Captain of Field Artillery in 1913, reflecting a steady and respected rise through the ranks. Tragically, his young life was cut short when he died on June 2, 1917.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 14" x 10" x 1.75"
  • Medium: Signed book

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000