EDITH STEEL, HAROLD WITTER BYNNER, HORACE MATHER LIPPINCOTT ET AL

1890s Original Manuscript Scrapbook of Letters and Ephemera Detailing Life in Germantown Pennsylvania and an Homage to Late 18th Century American Poetry

Germantown Pennsylvania, 1890. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a well stuffed 19th Century manuscript scrapbook and journal created by Edith Steel of Germantown Pennsylvania. There are 96 pages filled with either handwritten poetry, letters, invites, and other pieces of ephemera most dated from the 1890's. Of particular interest to historians and collectors of the area and the era are several noteworthy letters and drawings from some prominent US figures. Edith was very devoted to poetry everywhere she went, especially on her vacations, she would write a poem or notes about her trips. For instance on one page there is an envelope that says "September 12, 1898 The Birches, Saranac Inn Franklin Co. N.Y." Then inside is a three page poem written on stationary from "The Algonquin, Adirondack Mountains." Then written below the pasted-in envelope it says "Written at Algonquin Court Saranac Lake after a delightful week up at Mr. Frank J. Fritts (?) cottage, "The Birches" in upper Saranac Lake." Other friends and family have done the same kind of thing, written verses or fun little notes about their time together. There are also a few handwritten letters and invitations to various parties and functions. One of the most fascinating pieces is a note signed by "Harold Witter Bynner" who we surmise was the famous poet by the same name. There is a stamped fraternity logo on the top of Bynner's letter with a skull and bones. "From a canoe in the lake I, the procrastinator, watched the train drag out from Hatley station with you aboard. Ere you were out of sight, the lake had risen perceptibly. Where I spend my summers, Key West or Baffin's Bay, I always meet some "hummers" who like lost opportunities, cruelly "steel" away. Dolefully, Harold Witter Bynner." Another notable letter is from Horace Mather Lippincott (1877 - 1967) who was a Quaker editor and historian. His letter thanks Edith for sending "The Goups" which I think are drawings. Then he attempts to draw a "Goup" himself and signs it. Another particularly interesting letter is addressed to Edith and inside a note from her written on stationery with a "Beech Knoll, Mc Kean Ave. Germantown" letterhead is a 4 page poem for Captain Stanley Rogers that begins: "To Captain Rogers Esq. these lines are modestly dedicated by E. S. and F. C. L. (Faith Cleveland Lee). July 22nd 1896. When you open this cover you soon will discover a few little cakes from me. Please to notice the tarts coyly made into hearts and a ____and ship on the sea." There is also a New Year's Day a 6 page note written on "Mill-Grove-Farm on the Perkiomen Creek" stationery. There are little notes signed by several people thanking Edith for the caramels. Another piece that stuck out is a note from an "A. B. Van der W." who addresses his note "To ye student of Botany U. of P." It's a short note and inside is a great drawing. Two pieces of ephemera inside are from the "Women's National Golf Championship. Oct. 10-14, 1899. Philadelphia Country Club." Another piece of ephemera is from the December 2nd, 1899 football game between the United State Military Academy in West Point and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. There is a handwritten poem signed by Dr. Ross Hall Skillern who was a member of the board, among other things, of Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat). There is a typed poem to Edith by a "1st Lieutenant and Battalion adjutant 2nd infantry. N. G. P." There is a long letter from Yale University, signed Ziegler Sargent. He's describing a dinner held in his honor for "Becoming a man". The marbled covers have fallen away from the binding but are accounted for. The binding is still secure and the pages and ephemera look great other than a little foxing. The journal measures about 6 ¾" x 8 ¼" and is 1 ¾" thick. Overall G. Very Good.

-- M. Benjamin Katz, Fine Books/Rare Manuscripts

Book number: 0001505

Catalogue: Books and Manuscripts General Overview

Keywords: Keywords: Skillern, Yale University, Ziegler Sargent, Edith Steel, Poetry, Ephemera, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Algonquin, Adirondack Mountains, Horace Mather Lippincott, Harold Witter Bynner, Handwritten, Manuscript, Document, Letter, Au