









Photo verified condition. Ships in 2 business days. Free shipping on $35+.
Questions? Text me.
Award-winning Civil War novel set in Kansas & Indian Territory—Rifles for Watie in hardcover with dust jacket; clean, tight copy with classic 1950s jacket art.
Collector’s Note (edition & points)
The copyright page shows 1957 with “Fourth Printing” and LCCN 57-10280; publisher Thomas Y. Crowell Company (New York). Jacket credits Peter Burchard (artist). The Gold Newbery Medal seal is present on the front panel (award year: 1958). This copy is an early reprint, not the first edition/first printing.
Details
Title: Rifles for Watie
Author: Harold Keith
Publisher: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York
Year/Era: 1957 (4th printing; post-Newbery jacket)
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
Language: English
Pages: 332
Size: 8 × 6 × 1 inches (approx.)
Identifiers: Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 57-10280
Design Credits: Book design by Philip Grushkin; jacket art by Peter Burchard
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction, American Civil War (Western Theater)
Overview
Jeff Bussey, a Kansas farm boy turned Union volunteer, navigates raids, divided loyalties, and espionage across Kansas and the Indian Nations—coming face-to-face with Cherokee leader Stand Watie and the moral gray areas of war.
Condition
Dust Jacket: Present with edge wear, small chips/tears at spine ends and corners; light rubs; colors still strong.
Boards: Red cloth with star motif; lightly rubbed edges and bumps.
Interior: Pages clean and bright with mild age toning; tight binding; no writing seen in text.
Marks/Provenance: Bookplate sticker with name on the back board (inside rear cover area).
Storage: Smoke-free, climate-controlled.
3 Reasons You’ll Love It
A Newbery Medal classic that reads smoothly for adults and teens; vivid Civil War setting in the often-overlooked Western theater; handsome mid-century jacket art that displays beautifully.
Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
We pack each order with care to ensure your purchase arrives safely. If you have any questions or would like more photos before buying, please feel free to ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate unique, well-loved books and vintage collectibles for collectors and curious minds alike.
Yes. Every photo on this page is the actual item you will receive. Not a stock photo, not a similar copy. What you see is what ships.
Honestly. This is vintage, so expect some age. When I find wear, writing, stains, loose pages, chips, or missing pieces, I note them and show them in the photos. Some marks add character. Some are just flaws. I tell you which is which so you can decide if this is the right one for you.
With care. Old books and fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed so they arrive the way they left me. Careful packing is one of the things buyers mention most in their reviews. Orders of $35 or more ship free.
Probably not. Everything here is one of a kind, and I rarely find the same item twice. Once it sells, it is gone. Vintage does not restock neatly.