I found a copy of "Esperanto for Americans: A Text Book of the International Language" by Stanley A. Klukowski (2nd Edition, 1956) today at Half Price Books. I didn't need another grammar/primer, but I was happy to find it, and it only cost $6. I look forward to working through it.

good luck

I have that book too.

There is something of a back story to Esperanto for Americans. If I recall correctly (and I might not) Klukowski printed the first edition of Esperanto for Americans was a joint venture between himself and someone else who's name I cannot recall. Klukowski and his business associate had some sort of falling out and the whole first printing ended up in the other guy's basement. Klukowski ended up having to print a second edition to replace his stock of first edition books which were effectively barred from circulation.

I believe this happened in or near Middleton, WI in the 1950's. Interestingly, Middleton was a hub of Esperanto activity in the United States well into the 1970's. There was an Esperanto library run by an attorney by the name of Glenn Turner. I don't know how big his library was, but as I understand it the library closed down not terribly long after his death.

The reason the second story relates to the first is because all (or nearly all) 2nd edition's of Esperanto for Americans have a green stamp that reads:

ESPERANTO LIBRARY
Books in and about Esperanto
Middleton, Wis. 53562

So, it appears that Mr. Turner purchased much or all of the stock of the 2nd edition of the work for library use and eventual distribution to interested purchasers. The Esperanto activity in the area was such that Mr. Turner had a weekly radio address where he taught Esperanto lessons on air. You can read more about that, here: Madison Lawyer Promoted Esperanto.

One more note: It appears that Esperanto for Americans did not have its copyright renewed. If that's true then the work has fallen in to Public Domain. So, I might just post it online at some point.

~Jeff

Cool. Maybe, your kids can sell it to a museum once Esperanto takes over the world.

Very interesting story! Yes, my copy does have the stamp you described inside the front cover.