WILLIAM SCOTT

1901 Letter from Principal of Toronto Normal School Inviting a Speaker to Talk on Laura Secord

Toronto, Ontario Canada, 1901. Non-Book. On offer is a manuscript letter connected to the early 20th century Ontario public education system. The letter, dated May 14, 1901 on Toronto Normal School letterhead, is written by principal William Scott to Mrs. I. H. Thompson. Scott writes to ask that Thompson, "...be present...to relate the story of Laura Secord to the boys and girls of the Model School who will on that occasion be assembled in the Public Hall..." BIO NOTES: William Scott, BA, educator, became fifth principal of Toronto Normal School from 1898-1918. Previously he was Model School, teacher, 1869-1874; Headmaster, Boys Model School, 1874-1882. William Scott's son was Wallace Arthur Scott (1873-1949) medical doctor, soldier. Autograph letter signed, one page, 4to. Overall VG. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 1 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012375

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

HARRIET SUMNER SHAW

1936 Diary of a 74-Year-Old Republican Who Dislikes Roosevelt and Loves Her Husband, the Superintendent of the City Public Welfare Dept.

Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1936. Cloth. On offer is the diary of Mrs. Harriet Shaw (1861-1959) , wife of Albert William Shaw (1861-1940) , a prominent citizen of Berkshire, Massachusetts. Harriet L. B. (Sumner) Shaw was born in Vermont. She settled in Pittsfield, MA in 1880, where she married Albert William Shaw in 1882. They had four children: three sons and one daughter. Albert who was the superintendent of the Berkshire Public Welfare Department as well as being a banker and real estate investor and a member of the Freemasons. Harriet herself was a member of the First Church of Christ, Daughters of the American Revolution and matron of a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Given Albert’s status within Berkshire, the Great Depression did not impact the Shaw family. Rather, Albert had his regular meetings with the “Bank Men” as Harriet calls them, throughout 1936. Her children are grown and living their lives. Harriet has friends to the house, goes out about town, sends packages to her children, has her children and grandchildren to visit. She reads, attends meetings, and keeps track of Albert’s whereabouts. Importantly, Harriet is very interested in politics and 1936 was an election year. She comments on the Presidential election, making her pro-Republican views quite well known. The following excerpts will give a flavour to her diary: “...Henry called at noon and so did Marion. Park & Marion returned yesterday from New Jersey where the had a fine time. Tonight we listened to President Roosevelt making a campaign speech in the guise of an address to Congress. It consisted of words. Congressman Treadway called it a ‘one ring circus’. D. A. R. Met today” [Jan 3]. “We went uptown this morn and I did some shopping for the house – new draperies for the house, etc for the guest room. In the afternoon we went to Lebanon Springs and brought home four gallons of water. Had a nice ride. Albert gave me two lovely red rosebuds. I put all the clocks ahead tonight as daylight savings begins tomorrow. How I dislike it! ” [Apr 25]. “Light frost this morning. The second day of summer. Albert went out with the Bank Men. Mr. And Mrs. Herman Wood and Barbara, from NM called this morn. Miss Campbell was with them. Albert and I went up to the Lake after supper. We sat up til 10pm to hear John Hamilton’s chairman of the Republican Party. He was very good” [June 22]. “...The Bank men came for Albert at 9 AM... After dinner, Albert & I voted in the Primary and later went to the Donations Party...Only a few were there – it was so unpleasant...” [Sept 15]. “We went uptown this morn. Albert paid the taxes which amounted to considerable. I gave some coffee to the House of Mercy Bazaar. In the afternoon we went to Richmond and stopped at the Pravus but they were not at home. Park, Marion and the children stopped here a few minutes” [Oct 22]. “We went uptown this morn and Albert did a lot of marketing as we expect Charlie tomorrow. Had a nap after dinner. Albert went to an Anti-Tuberculosis meeting this afternoon. We heard Ex Pres Hoover over the radio. Then we had the Halloween callers and gave them candy. It rained a little” [Oct 30]. “...Roosevelt is re-elected and I am disgusted! ...” [Nov 4]. In the Memoranda section, she keeps track of her expenses and accounts and lists the Christmas gifts she received. For a social historian, this diary offers an excellent look into the world of the well-off during the depths of the Great Depression as well as providing a neat through-line about a Republican’s experience of an election year in which a Democratic candidate is the incumbent. This diary measures 6.0 inches by 4.5 inches and contains 365 pages. It is 100% complete. The red leather cover is in good condition as is the binding. The pages are intact and the handwriting is legible. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012228

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Businessman

MARY ANNIE ELIZABETH (ESTES) SHEARER

1939 Diary of the Elderly, Sick Wife of a Rural North Carolina Magistrate and Farmer with Deep Ties to the Lenoir Community

Lenoir, North Carolina, NC, 1939. Softcover. On offer is a diary that describes life in rural North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the years immediately preceding WWII. The diary was written by Mary Annie Elizabeth (Estes) Shearer (1862-1955). Shearer was born in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina to parents Rebecca Elmira Moore and David Jesse Estes. Mary would spend her entire life in Lenoir. In 1884, Mary married Milton Gordon Shearer (1855-1951) who worked as a Magistrate after a varied career as a merchant, farmer and textile plant official in Lenoir, NC. When Milton died, he was the oldest Master Mason in North Carolina. And she was also an amateur genealogist. They had three children: David, Annie and Mary. Mary Shearer was 76 when she began this diary. The diary consists of brief daily entries that describe her life in this small community of Lenoir. It is replete with references to friends and family members, including her adult children who visit frequently. Mary keeps her diary daily except during a few weeks over the summer and in early autumn, with only three entires between August 1 and Sept 22nd, when she is coping with a hospitalization and health issues. This selection of entries will give a flavour of her diary: “Thursday – Cousin Lula Moore came & told me all about the last hours of Aunt Mary Moorse’s life and other things I was anxious to know” [Jan 26]. “Lou washed and I was invited to a War Mothers meeting and Birthday at Mrs. Green’s in the valley. Ellie took Flossie, Courtney, myself and Mrs. Gelson” [May 23]. “Milton not feeling so well. Rained all day. Sadie came home went over to speak to her. She brought me a lovely bag from Washington” [July 4]. “Went to see Dr. McCraing. M took me. She wanted me to go to hospital, so the Moores and Milton took me to Blackwelder Hospital” [Aug 1]. “Stayed in bed two weeks and 1 day, brought home in ambulance. Cousin Lula Moore came to stay with me” [Aug 16]. “Our 55th anniversary. Mrs. McCall, Mrs. Criss and Mrs. McGowan of my circle came, each brought me a present. Then later Dinty and Marguerite came in, Julia left” [Sept 25]. “Friday – Lillian came for a very good visit. Dr. Caroline came and took blood pressure – 190. Had my bottle refilled” [Oct 13]. “Lots of presents, 8 lbs candy, pillow slips and lots of other things. Sorry to see them leave in the afternoon” [Dec 25]. For a social historian, this small diary paints a good picture of the quiet life an elderly, ill woman who was living in rural North Carolina pre-WWII. Of particular note is how the community comes together to care for Mrs. Shearer after her hospital discharge in late September. This small diary measures 4.25 inches by 3.25 inches and is in very good condition. The diary is bound with a metal spine and the pages are in good condition as well. It contains approximately 61 pages and is 80% complete. The handwriting is legible. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 32mo 4" - 5" tall; 61 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010055

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Aged Farming Town

HARRY SILVERMAN

1943-1944 Diaries of a Bold, Free-Spirited Jewish American Soldier Who Spends More Time Loving the Ladies Than Fighting in Wwii

Philadelphia, Tennessee, Mexico, 1943-1944. Hardcover. On offer are three diaries describing the experiences of a sharp-tongued, handsome and free-spirited US Army soldier named Harry Silverman (1919-2001). Harry was the son of Jewish Romanian immigrants and served the United States during World War II [See BIO NOTES on Silverman at the end of this listing]. Harry begins his diary on January 13, 1943, when he is inducted to the army. He details his training and work, mostly in driving and communications. His main focus is his thriving social life. Put quite plainly, Harry talks a lot about his active sex life (and sex drive! ). He has a lady at home (Kass Mogul, nicknamed Stinky) and a tumultuous relationship with a young woman from a town near his barracks named Mary Ann. He also enjoys his time with a multidue of other women in his travels. His entries are long and exceptionally detailed. They are a portrait of a young man who knows his place as a soldier, but simply will not be tamed by the army. He is often getting in trouble with his superiors for his attitude and for breaking rank, but he is never afraid to advocate for himself and make choices that suit him. Seems Harry wasn’t the most compliant soldier - but he sure did have a good time! He drank, partied, and found love (lust? ) at every turn. Harry’s entries end on April 24, 1944 as he is about to ship out overseas and he was not allowed to take this one with him. Some excerpts that give the flavour of Harry’s depth of writing: “...went on sick call. Had argument with Major. Wanted to know why I was back. Told him my feet hurt and as long as they hurt I’d keep coming back…Went to dance at Jewish USO. Met two nice WAC. One was Jewish the other not. From Georga that’s what I call her. Got back to camp at 11: 30PM” [Aug 24, 1943]. “...Shined shoes and went to motor pool. Cleaned car and captain inspected. Had to clean motor. Got order to take St. Col Truly to Nashville at 4: 30PM. Got date with Mary Ann tonite…Cleaned rifle and took off for Nashville…Picked up a minister’s wife. Took a ride and parked. She layed like a rabbit and loved it. Wanted more. Took her home at 9: 2 0PM and took off for Tullahoma…Went to see Mary Ann…slept until 4: 45AM…” [Feb 18, 1944] “...Got sized for shoes and carbon on rifle. Having inspection in motor pool. Car is very dirty and I’m not cleaning it cause someone else was using it and flattened a tire. Still got to be fixed…Called before BC. Had hot argument and said I had a snicker on my face and was making fool of him. Told him it was my natural look. Got him hot when I told him to read 104 article of war. He also read 61, breaking restriction. I got three days out of the deal…” [March 4, 1944]. “...I went wild at all the pretty girls at hospital. Flirted with a lot of them. Dates came along…Met quite a few good looking girls. Wanted to go into dorm…Girls said I was evil minded but loved it. Sure was a raw party. I was loving Ruth up laying on her breast looking up Ethel’s and Dean’s dress and looking down Gladys dress at her breast. Went to town to eat. Wise cracks were still flying. Said I have an answer for everything they said. I was loving Dean and Ruth was getting jealous…told Ruth we were low on funds and couldn’t go to club…” [March 26, 1944]. Harry’s diary entries and notes are recorded in My Life in the Service diaries. They were printed to encourage American soldiers to document their experience at war. They include sections titled “Service Record”, “My Buddies in the Service”, “Officers I Have Met”, “Civilians I Have Met”, a long “Diary” section, and much more. Harry fills the diary sections and uses the other sections sporadically. For a historian, these diaries are a truly fascinating look at the social experience of American soldiers stationed in the US during World War Two. It also provides a glimpse into the lived experience of the first generation American Jew experiencing the war so differently than Jews across the pond. BIO NOTES: Harry Silverman was the youngest child of Romanian Jewish immigrants Abe Silverman and Rebecca (sometimes Rebeka) Kaiserman Silverman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1903 and 1905, respectively. Abe and Rebecca spoke Yiddish and Abe supported his family working as an auto mechanic. On January 20, 1943, Harry was officially inducted into the United States army and served until October 23, 1945. He was in the foreign service from May 3, 1944 to July 2, 1945. Silverman started out assigned to the 317th Coast Artillery Barrage Balloon Battalion based at Camp Tyson, Tennessee. In time, he was promoted to Private First Class and transferred to 23 HQ, HQ DET. 2nd ARMY. The US 2nd Army earned distinction as a training army during World War II, preparing nearly one million men to fight. It was based in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1947 Silverman married Sandy “Betty” Audrey Nelson and worked as a pet salesman. Harry and Betty had three daughters, Ailene, Cheryl and Fern. Harry was a member of Shekinah Masonic Lodge. Each diary comes in its original cardboard box. Also included in the diaries are 2 black and white photographs and a pass for leave. All diaries measure 6” x 4.5” and contain 156 pages in the “diary” section. The first diary covers January through July, 1943, and is 100% complete [diary section]. The second diary covers July 1943-February 1944 and is 100% complete [diary section]. The final diary covers February to April 1944 and is 30% complete [diary section]. Overall G. Trigger warning: Harry writes in graphic detail, including describing some instances of animal cruelty. For example, he attended bullfights in Mexico in August of 1943 and describes in horrific detail the murders of the bulls. He also describes the accidental killing of a dog. He also describes his sexual conquests in a fair bit of detail. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010320

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Awakening Relationships Wartime

MARTIN OLIVER SKROVIG

1917 Diary of a Radcliffe, Iowa Man Studying Bookkeeping Upon His Return from the Great War

Des Moines, Iowa, Radcliffe, Iowa, 1917. Softcover. On offer is a fine diary of a young man who had just returned to rural United States from WW1 service. The author of this diary is Martin Oliver Skrovig (1894-984). Skrovig was born in Radcliffe, Iowa. To learn more about Skrovig, see BIO NOTES at the end of the listing. Martin kept this diary in 1917, in his early 20s. Although he makes no reference to his service, context suggests that he had been recently released from service and is now working on his accounting/bookkeeping education. He attended Capital City Community College in Des Moines. Excerpts give a sense of Martin’s writing: “Finished my Trial Bal. And Balance Sheets and closed my books. Boys went skating” [Jan 16]. “Doc Earle of [ ] College at chapel. Got 100% in Word [ ] test Still beat Four C... Got home 1: 30. Pressed suit A. M. And P. M. Cut wood. Over to Neubaner’s eve” [Mar 23,24]. “Tom, Alf & I to G. C. To register forenoon and chopped wood P. M. Raw weather. Windy & stormy” [June 5]. In the autumn of that year, we see that he is working not only on his studies but on helping on the family farm, mostly picking corn“Penmanship. Wrote about 14 pages…” [Oct 18]. “... At home. Started picking. Picked 70 bu. Rain eve but picked our rows out 6 apiece” [Oct 26]. “Tom & I picked each 90 bu it was 28 below [ ] picked 24 rows & 75 bu. Si over & helped. Picked 39 rows” [ Dec 13]. For a social historian, this diary gives a very clear picture of life for a young man in the American midwest in the early years of the 20th century. Even though he was working on his education, the demands of daily life to ensure the means to maintain that schooling had to be met. Those demands were accepted as part of the normal course of life and offer a clear contrast to student life a century laterBIO NOTES: Martin Oliver Skrovig was born to parents Ole Ivarsen and Thorbjor (Tilda) Endresdatter Enderson, both of whom immigrated from Norway. He served in the United States army in WW1. Martin married Myrtle Olson (1901-1998) in 1924, and together they had three children. Skrovig worked in banks in Radcliffe and Ellsworth before coming to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1932. In Marshalltown, Martin was a bookkeeper for the Marshall Canning Company, then a clerk for the Railway Mail Service and at his retirement, he was a bookkeeper for Vernon Pries Insurance. In his private life, Martin was a Deacon and choir member at Elim Lutheran Church, and a member of Frank Louis Glick American Legion Post 46. He was a Chaplain and funeral ceremonial unit commander in the Legion Post. He was also commander of WWI Veterans Barracks 1104, and a Scoutmaster. This diary measures 5.25x2.5 inches and contains 52 pages. It is 100% complete. The covers are intact but show definite signs of staining. The binding is good and all of the pages are intact. The handwriting is cramped but legible.; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 52 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011083

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Soldier World 1

WALTER JOHN SMITH

1918-1919 Daily Diary of a Nebraska Farmer Who Sails to Europe and Serves in World War 1 As a Corporal in the 314th Supply Train, 89th Division

Nebraska, France. Softcover. On offer is a superb diary of a 27-year-old farmer from Nebraska, serving in Europe during WWI as the war came to its end. The author of the diary is Walter John Smith (1891-1950) of Holdrege, Nebraska. He worked his entire adult life at his own farm, where he died at age 58. Smith married Judith Anderson in June of 1920. Together they had two children, Marilyn and Martha. Smith was registered for the army draft in August of 1917 and called up in October, 1917. During the First World War, Corporal Walter John Smith was attached to the 314th Supply Train, 89th Division. The 89th Infantry Division was formed in Aug 1917. After training at Camp Funston, it was shipped overseas where the Division saw action at St. Mihiel and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Following WWI, it was reconstituted as a Reserve army unit until being reactivated in WWII. In WWII, the Division, nicknamed “the Rolling W”, served in north west Europe, taking part in the drive into Germany. The 89th liberated Ohrdruf, a sub-camp of the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. Following WWII, the 89th was reactivated as a reserve unit, a role it continues to fill today. Smith’s diary covers the period June, 1918 to June, 1919. He begins writing on June 4, 1918. He is leaving his training camp to head to Europe, and he writes, “Camp Funston. Left at 11: 30 A. M. ”. On June 28th, he shipped out, writing, “Aboard the Lapland. Left port at 9: 30 – 17 ships left at same time. Everything gone lovely so far” [June 28, 1918]. Prior to being requisitioned as a troopship, SS Lapland was a passenger liner. She was the ship that brought the surviving members of the Titanic’s crew back to England after the U. S. Investigations into the sinking were completed. Once in France, his entries describe his daily work and movements: “Got our cars ready in morning. Started out 1 o’clock. Traveled 65 miles. Roads are real dusty. Landed at Navgon” [July 22, 1918]. “Started from Navgon 6. Drove 200 miles. Landed at Ville France 7: 30. Stayed all nite” [July 23, 1918]. “Started from Ville France 7: 30. Arrived Dijon 3: 30. Stationed at camp all nite” [July 24, 1918]. “Fixed a place for our pup tents in the morning. Fixed my truck in afternoon. Ready to go out at 7 o’clock. Brought Bat from 355 back ten miles from trenches” [Aug 23, 1918]. “The big drive started at 1 A. M... Reported to 355 Hospital Got a load of flour and oats and moved to the front. Drove all night” [Sept 12/13, 1918]. [Note: This entry refers to the Battle of St. Miheil]“Left for [ ] 7 A. M. Got a load of soldiers brought to Bouillonville Seen Oscar Swanson Back at railhead to Bouillonville with load of blankets” [Sept 23, 1918]. “Didn’t do anything all day. Had my truck fixed. Peace signed 11 o’clock" [Nov 11, 1918]. On May 21, 1919, he shipped out for home. His last entry reads: “Got my discharge one o’clock. On the train leaving for home. Finish” [June 12, 1919]. Interestingly, at the back of the diary, there are an additional four pages of diary content, two of which cover December 12 and 15 of 1918. Two are undated. These pages are very long entries that must have needed the extra space. There are also a few pages of names and addresses that he kept from his time overseas. For a historian, this is an excellent first-hand account of day-to-day life in a unit supporting troops in the trenches. It is rich in detail, mentioning other soldiers by name, places where he was posted or stayed and work that he was doing. It paints a very clear picture of life behind the lines. The diary measures 5.5 inches by 3.25 inches and contains 95 pages. It is 95% complete. The cloth cover is in good condition. The spine is undamaged but the binding had cracked along the inside cover. The pages and binding are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 95 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012231

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: 1 Soldier Wartime

DOROTHY STEVENSON

1965 Saskatchewan Farming Family Scrapbook Detailing Rural Western Canadian Prairie Life in the Year of the Province’S Diamond Jubilee

Saskatchewan, Canada: Canadian Prairie Scrapbook Saskatchewan Canada Farming Life, 1965. Softcover. On offer is a lovely, informative and distinctly Canadian scrapbook about Saskatchewan farming, prepared by a Regina-area farming family. The scrapbook was written and compiled for an American relative as a gift for Christmas 1965. This was the year that Saskatchewan celebrated its diamond jubilee, marking 60 years as a province This scrapbook was put together in November, 1965 for Marie Piper Swalm (1896-1989) of Kansas, United States, by her niece, Dorothy Stevenson (1915-2010) of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Dorothy’s husband, James (Jimmy) (1914-1995) , her son Rae, and Jimmy’s brother, Dave. Marie’s husband, Leslie Oliver Swalm (1878-1952) was Dorothy’s mother, Gertrude Swalm Conlin’s, brother. Dorothy and Jimmy farmed in the Wascana District, north of Regina. Marie was raised on a farm in Kansas. It stands to reason that this homemade Christmas gift about Saskatchewan farming would have been exceptionally meaningful to Marie Swalm. This remarkably thoughtful scrapbook reads as an introduction to Saskatchewan, its farming industry, the prairie provinces, and Canada as a whole. Beginning with the front cover image of a glued-on western red lily, Saskatchewan’s official flower, the scrapbook walks the reader through all four seasons in the province. Each season/section of the scrapbook contains a typed update about the experience of farming in Saskatchewan in that season as well as information about the family’s work and life. These updates are interspersed with drawings, images from the newspaper and other sources glued in, relevant typed quotations, song lyrics and poems, sweet handwritten notations, and more. In the Autumn section of the scrapbook, after a long typed essay about the experience of coping with crickets on the farm, Dorothy includes a photograph of a deer with the handwritten note: “Deer come in our garden, eat our crabapples and destroy our trees. While they are picturesque, I am happy to report Rae got his again this fall - his ninth with a shotgun slug. Jimmy also got his. Venison a la rotisserie - Yum yum! ”Other topics covered in the scrapbook in words, images or both include: an essay where Dorothy argues that 1965 should be called “The Year of the Tiger” and then ties in the Chinese zodiac with Saskatchewan’s diamond jubilee and the concept of hope, an essay about what it is like to experience a Saskatchewan winter as a farmer (replete with several illustrative anecdotes, discussion of the Seed Catalogue and more) , a short blurb about the importance of Spring to the Saskatchewan farmer given the short time before first frost, imagery and discussion of other flowers common to the area, discussion of summer canning, and a detailed essay about crickets. There is a mention of the 1965 federal election, in which Lester B. Pearson was re-elected, a story about rural Saskatchewan mail delivery, and some religious content, since this book was created as a Christmas gift. Aside from providing quite the education about mid-20th century Saskatchewan farming life, this book presents Dorothy as an extremely well-written and witty woman. To illustrate, her essay about winter on the farm begins: “It has been said that in a year we have eight months of winter and four months of tough sledding…”. Taken together, this scrapbook provides deep insight into the life of a farming family in 1965, and also acts as a time capsule for Saskatchewan, Canada in the same year. This is a truly thrilling piece of Canadiana that would be an enhancement to any collection, particularly interesting to a Western Canadian academic institution that offers agricultural education. The scrapbook is in a series of pages bound together in a duo-tang cover. Entitled “Thoughts From A Saskatchewan Farm”, it measures 8.5x11.0 inches and contains 45 pages. It is 100% complete. The cover is in good condition as are the pages. Some pages have a bit of age discoloration along some edges and there are a couple of piece of pages intentionally cut out. The flower on the front cover is slightly ripped. The binding is in good condition as well. Mostly typed with legible handwritten comments throughout. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 45 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011117

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary; 20th Century Manuscript; 20th Century Rare Book

Keywords: Seasonal Hunting

JAMES DONNELL SULLIVAN

1924-1927 Diary of a Young CIVIL Engineer and Student Dating and Coming of Age in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Boston, Massachusetts MA. Softcover. On offer is a collection of three little diaries kept by a city of Cambridge, Massachusetts civil engineer who served as a First Class Petty Officer in the US Navy during WWII. The author of this diary is James Donnell Sullivan (1907-1970). Sullivan the son of well-known lawyer Jeremiah S. Sullivan and Annie Taffe. He was a civil engineer and surveyor who worked for the city of Cambridge. He married Elizabeth A. Boylan (d. 2004). Together they had four children: Nancy, Maura, J. Donnell Jr. And Barbara. Sullivan kept these three diaries in 1924, 1925 and 1927, when he was 17, 18 and 20 years old. However in some places he crosses off dates and uses the diaries out of order. During this time he was living at home and working in the Engineering Department at Cambridge City Hall and also attending school. While his diaries are small in size, Sullivan’s words paint a very generous picture of the life of a boy on the verge of manhood. For example, in the summer of 1925 (written in his 1924 diary) , Sullivan in a relationship with Fran…but making discreet phone calls to Dorothy: “Talking to Dorothy Dwyer for two hours on the phone tonight. Fear not my Fair Fran” [Aug 14, 1925]. “Fran’s mother said that Fran couldn’t go out for a week because Fran and I stayed out so late last night. Talking to Dot Dwyer on the phone” [Aug 17, 1925]. “Talking to Dorothy Dwyer on the phone. Yesterday was her birthday so I just thought I’d call her at least. She said she was thrilled and surprised at my calling” [Oct 14, 1925]. The most fun part of Sullivan’s diaries is that he has created a coding system which he lays out in the Memoranda section of the 1924 diary, using symbols to indicate what sort of a day he had. Some of the codes are easy to interpret, such as a forward slash equating to him having a “good time” and a rectangle with checks equating to a “fight”. However some of the codes are more cryptic. He uses the coding system through two diaries. The following excerpts will give a flavour of his diaries: “Well after a years hard work trying to be introduced to Frances Shea was introduced bu Bunny Reardon. The drama was punk but the dancing was great and I danced in a [ ] all night” [Feb 9, 1924]. “Went to Dot Nagle’s dance at Larch Road Bungalow” [June 24, 1924]. “Ted Johnson & I went to Ponds Tutoring School. Taking English, Latin & Algebra. Bed at 11: 45 P. M. ” [Oct 16, 1924]. “Our department had a party for Mr. Davis (“Uncle”). Pensioned after fifty one years service. Didn’t go to school. Talking to Bunny Potter on phone. Meet Fran & her tomorrow afternoon. Bed 11: 45 P. M. ” [Mar 31, 1925]. “Mc & I measured [ ] house today. I was in Harvard Sq. Tonight and I met Fran and Agnes McCarthy so I went up to McCarthy’s house with them. Went home with Fran. Acted just like long ago when I first went with Fran Oh Boy. How I love here. She is adorable…” [Sept 10, 1925]. “Didn’t work this afternoon. Studied at the library. Went to school tonight. Talking to Fran on the phone. Went over to Leona’s house. Got an invitation to Mayor Quinn’s reception today. Call for Fran at 10 and took her home…” [Dec 11, 1925]. “Council meeting at City Hall. Budget went through OK. Netting me $300 more per year” [Apr 12, 1927]. “Ball game this afternoon. Fran and I went to the movies tonight, then for a walk. Wonderful time. Fran gave me a marvelous kiss. XXX O. K. Arms! ! ! ? ? 1: 30AM” [July 6, 1927]. “‘Pinched’ for racing Bunny Cronin down Cambridge St. Booked on six charges. I think Chief McBride fixed it for me…” [July 18, 1927]. “Drove to Quebec today. Couldn’t get room at Frontenac so we stayed at St. Roch Hotel. Danced at the Frentonac with the sharkey girl. Blow out. Wired for money. With two fellows from W. Virginia. 2: 45AM” [Aug 30, 1927]. “Raced from Quebec to Montreal with four other Mass. Cars. Think we came in second. At Windsor. Watched dance at Windsor. Played cards. 2: 45AM” [Sept 1, 1927]. For a social historian, these diaries give an excellent look into the world of a young man living in the Roaring Twenties in New England. They paint a picture of success and general contentment in the years immediately preceding the Great Depression. All three diaries are very small, measuring between 1.75 inches and 4.25 inches. They are between 70-90% complete. They are all in Fair to Good condition. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012236

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Worker '

JOHN ERNST TIEDEMAN

1914-1915 Sensational Firsthand Account of the Geopolitics of the Construction of the Panama Canal by the Only Reporter with Access to the Key Players

Panama Canal, Panama City. Softcover. On offer is an outstanding firsthand account of a well-connected American reporter stationed in Panama to report on the construction of the Panama canal. This account is particularly fascinating as this reporter was the only one granted access to figures such as Colonel Goethals. This journal highlights internal power struggles that took place in the construction of the Panama Canal. The author of this notebook is reporter John E. Tiedeman. Tiedeman had an extraordinary career as a journalist and a World War 1 US intelligence officer that took him across the globe (see BIO NOTES). In December of 1913, Tiedeman was assigned to cover Central America and the west coast of South America for the Associated Press. He based himself out of Panama City. He took a specific interest in reporting on the progress of the construction of the Panama Canal. According to one entry, he was the only reporter there and he had unfettered access to the key people involved. His reporter’s notes, describing the infighting and political maneuverings surrounding the administration of the Canal, make for fascinating reading. The notes span the time period Feb 1, 1914 to Apr 8, 1915. He was present when the commission to oversee construction of the Canal – the Isthmian Canal Commission was abolished and the Panama Canal Zone created. The Chief Engineer was a noted American Army Colonel named Colonel George Washington Goethals and how he maneuvered to obtain the Governorship and absolute authority over the Panama Canal is described in abundant detail. An excerpt from the diary focused on Colonel Goethals follows: “The permanent organization followed the very plan outlined by Col. Goethals. Not an important feature was changed. It left him in complete control. And herein it served a second purpose. It once and for all shattered the machinations of the Sibert, Gorgas, Metcalfe faction on the isthmus and the political scheming in Washington. There were to be no political appointments on the Panama Canal. At least not until after Col. Goethals left the Isthmus” [notes from Feb 1, 1914]. Tiedeman had direct and easy access to Goethals as illustrated in this passage: “... Midway of the lockage I walked up to him and after greeting him said: “This is fine and dandy, isn’t it? ”...“Yes, I’ll soon have this thing going the way I want it to. ” he replied…” [notes from Aug 15, 1914]. If the creation of the Panama Canal put an end to political machinations with Washington, it certainly ushered in a new era of political skulduggery between the American Canal administration and the rival political factions in Panama. Tiedeman records some of this. In response to one of the frequent riots between Panamanian police forces and American servicemen, Tiedeman notes: “Major General Wood arrived the morning after the riot and took a hand in the investigation. It is expected he will follow the example of both Generals Goethals and Edwards and Minister Price and recommend that the policing of the terminal cities be done by Americans. In other words, strip Panama of her police power and leave little or nothing of the government. The courts would have to be also taken over. That would be the last straw and would practically end the Panama Republic” [notes from Apr 5, 1915]. For a historian, this is a superb, first-hand account of events that impacted the United States in a very decisive way. At the time, the Panama Canal was an enormous engineering marvel. It also was part of a geopolitical strategy that helped make the United States the most powerful nation on earth. For a historian or a journalist, these reporter’s notes would be a marvelous addition to a library or collection. JOHN E. TIEDEMAN BIO NOTES: John Ernst Tiedeman (1876-1941) was born in Missouri and attended Smith’s Academy at the University of Missouri. He completed his BA and a law degree before working as business manager for the Sedalia Sentinel newspaper. Later, he got his foot in the journalism door in Kansas, working in the editorial department of the Kansas City Journal. At age 30 he finally broke through as a reporter for the St. Louis Republic. He gained great journalistic opportunities when he joined the Associated Press and spent a year working in Berlin as a staff correspondent for the New York Herald. When he returned to America in 1910, he officially joined the Associated press staff and was assigned to cover the 1912-1913 campaign tour of Vice President Thomas R. Marshall. His excellent work on the campaign prompted his assignment to the Associated Press’ Washington bureau, and later to Central America and the west coast of South America, where he would set up in Panama City and cover the building and opening of the Panama Canal. Tiedeman returned to the USA in 1917 and joined the US army, working as an intelligence officer in France as he was able to speak German and had covered the German army while in Berlin before the war. When he resigned from the army in 1922, Tiedeman returned to the newspaper profession, purchasing newspapers, including the Sunnyvale Standard, which he published until his death in 1941 at age 65. This book is actually a 3-ring binder measuring 6.0 inches by 8.0 inches. It contains 122 pages and is approximately 25% complete. The cover is in good condition with some slight wear marks at the corners. The pages are in good condition as well. All entries are typed. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 122 pages; Signed by Author. Good+ with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010317

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary; 20th Century Manuscript; 20th Century Rare Book

Keywords: Relations

EDWARD DUDLEY TUCKER

1911-1915 Diary of an Engaging Pittsburgh High and Carnegie Tech Student Coming-of-Age Before Enlisting in the Great War

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PA. Hardcover. On offer is diary filled with the musings of a student, age 17 when he begins writing, that provides exceptional insight into the experience of a teenage boy in the years before World War One. The diary belonged to Edward Dudley Tucker (1893-1977) , who went by Dudley [SEE BIO NOTES AT END OF LISTING]. Dudley kept the diary regularly from January through August of 1911, while completing his junior year of high school. He returns to his diary for a couple entries in 1912, when he had just completed a summer job at an electrical company and is beginning his studies at Carnegie Tech (which would later become a part of Carnegie Mellon University). The diary concludes with a final entry in April of 1915, where Dudley writes of the death and burial of his family’s 17-year-old dog, Toby. He also uses a few additional pages to note his expenses while attending Carnegie Tech. Tipped into the diary are two manuscript letters and a printed dance card from Dudley’s high school dance in April, 1912. The two letters are from 1911, one being a newsy, familiar letter written to Dudley by his friend Hazel and another being a detailed letter written by Dudley to his Aunt Helen where he provides great detail about his studies in senior year and his devoted work on his model airplanes. His diary is written in a ledger book, allowing him freedom to write extensive and descriptive entries, which he often does. Some entries span pages and provide details of his experiences, lists of friends’ names and even drawings. Other entries are just a quick line or two. “I went out to the library to get some material for my debate on the 20th today. I did not know how to act but found out…” [Jan 17, 1911]“I lost my debate to-day but only by a little bit, they clapped me but not Beistel. I lost on account of the following. I should only write the headings and write them large and in ink and number them and leave a space of about a line between each…. Be sure to get the material on both sides of the question and get things to knock out his proofs. And greatest of all go slow, take plenty of time…and don’t be afraid to pause…” [Jan 20, 1911]. “We initiated Cornell into the club [the 500 Club] to-nite, we did a lot of things to him. We were all dressed up so he wouldn’t know us. We gave him some sweet stuff, then some quinine, then we put a mustard plaster on his arms, then we painted U. S. On his hands with iodine and then tarred and feathered one finger. Then we gave him a dippy note to give the druggist. He gave it to him and the druggist laffed and showed it to a customer. Connell says he’ll make the next initiative strong enough for the next member. I am reading sweet book, “The Golden Kingdom” by Andrew Balfour. This is some songs taken out of it…. ” [Feb 10, 1911]. On May 20th, he describes a hike in the countryside and accompanies the description with a very detailed map of the immediate area he explored with some friends. “...Hyppo and Eli and I took a walk down in Fern Hollow yesterday. We went down past the gas wells and then climbed up where I found the Indian [ ] last Sunday. There Eli got a couple of ferns I had told him about and then we climbed to the top of the hill where there is an orchard, an old disused railway and a path…” [May 20, 1911]. “I was down to Tech to see Dean Leete today and had my personal interview. I met a fellow from Texas whose name is McBride. I spent 10 cents for cab fare” [March 25, 1912]. “...I hated to see those little kids doing those stunts on the stage the other night [at the Rowland Circus]. It seems barbarous to me that we should allow such things when it probably shortens the life of the person greatly. I saw Sue Trotter this afternoon for the first time for about a month. Gee she sure has got some shape. I saw Jennie Mountford this afternoon, too. Her hair is sure bleached some. She makes everybody call her “Jean” now. Some loving believe me…” [Dec 15, 1912]. At the back of the book is a list titled “Things I want To Do. From context, this list was written after his return from WWI or during a leave. It includes: . “Fix my army stuff to my walls, Find a way to take a picture through a telescope, Put electric lights in my cabinet..” and more. For a social historian, this diary gives a fine look inside the life of an American teenage boy in the years immediately preceding WWI. A genealogist would find the list of school friends very helpful in researching family and community connections. BIO NOTES: Dudley was born in Westboro, Massachusetts to parents Frances Augusta Robinson and Curtis Allen Tucker and raised in Edgewood, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, He graduated from Pittsburgh Central High School in 1912 and later graduated from Carnegie Tech. He became a civil engineer and worked in a variety of places, including Koppers Company. He served in World War One from November, 1915 through June, 1919. In 1923, he married Mary Strang in Wilkinsburg, PA. Together, they had one daughter, Mary Jane Tucker. The journal was kept in a ledger book measuring 11.75x7.5 inches. It contains 100 numbered pages plus 6 others inserted into it. It is about 50% complete. The covers are in good condition as are the binding and the pages. The handwriting is legible. Overall VG. ; Manuscripts; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 100 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012253

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: College Coming

ISADORE SHELDON TUCKER

1912 Manuscript Diary of University of Nebraska Sorority Girl from a Prominent, Entrepreneurial Nehawka Family

Nehawka, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, Knoxville, Illinois, 1912. Softcover. On offer is the excellent 1912 diary of Isadore Sheldon Tucker (1894-1959) of Nehawka, Nebraska. Isadore was the only child of Emma Banning and businessman Frank Pollard Sheldon. She was the niece of Republican Nebraska Governor George L. Sheldon, who governed from 1907-1909. Isadore was 18 when she kept this diary. See BIO NOTES on Isadore Sheldon Tucker at the end of the listing. This diary follows Isadore through the second half of her senior high school year at St. Mary’s School near Knoxville, Illinois, and the first half of her freshman year at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her diary provides a remarkable look behind the curtain during the most tender and vulnerable late teen years of a socially and academically successful young woman. Some excerpts follow and give a flavour of Isadore’s diary. She lives on campus at St. Mary’s and travels home by train when time allows: “I started to school today. Marietta King and Alice Farley got on the train at Omaha also. Mildred Adams was on there. We had a circus all the way. Met a lot of other girls in Galesburg” [Jan 3, 1912]. “A missionary here. Gave the Sermon this morning. I took Adel Forbes, Grey De La Mater, Helen Sombait and Polly Lloyd to Idle Den tonight. I was Baptized this afternoon. Alice Farley and Etith Russel were also Baptized…” [Feb 11, 1912]. “The Prom. I went with Mr. Dan Wheeler. Liked him real well. Had a fine programme. The Hall was awfully pretty. Decorated with Smilax and Wisteria. Used lattice work on windows and around piano. Dan Wheeler is a Beta at Knox. Esther went to the reception but not to the prom. Ida Stevens was sick and they stayed together. I had a wonderful time” [Feb 17, 1912]. “We had our party up in Marg and Mary’s room. I stayed with Dot most of the night last night. It stormed hard. This A. M. She was all broken out. They think she has the measles. Took her to the infirmary. I have been writing her notes all day” [Apr 26, 1912]. Isadore spends the summer at home in Nehawka. On September 23, she starts classes at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her entries give the reader remarkable insight into the freshman experience, particularly when she starts rushing sororities. It’s interesting to note that her regular trips home on the weekend wane as her social and academic lives flourish on campus. “...I had botany today also Latin. I lost a very valuable Note Book and had to write my Rhetoric theme over. Have it written now and am going to copy it now. I we]ant to go home if I can tomorrow. Ruth and Mrs. Coe and myself went to the Lyric this evening. Program was real good” [Oct 4, 1912]. “Today I went to an Alpha Phi breakfast, Delta Gamma luncheon, Alpha O Cotillion and a Theta dinner…Galaideth wanted me to go to the Ag. Dance but I went to bed. The Alpha Phis had a Japanese Wedding” [Nov 23, 1912]. “They have decided that there shall be no more calling and today I got written invitations to Tri Delt, Kappa and Theta. Could accept all” [Dec 3, 1912]. This diary clearly depicts this young woman at the beginning of what would be a successful career in her community. It also paints an unexpected picture of a confident, headstrong and bright young woman who does not conform to expected social norms of the time. BIO NOTES ON ISADORE SHELDON TUCKER: Isadore Sheldon Tucker (1894-1959) was the direct descendant of a number of prominent American Revolutionaries, such as Nathan Conant (1743-1820) , a minute man at the Lexington Alarm and served as lieutenant under Colonel Jonathan Reed. Isadore attended the University of Nebraska (Bachelor of Arts, class of 1916) and pledged to Kappa Kappa Gamma, Nebraska Sigma Chapter. In 1920, Isadore married Marion Tucker. They did not have any children, though they did have cousins who lived with them for a time, named Wilda and Cecile Mitchell (interestingly, they are listed as Marion’s children in his obituary). Isadore was a pillar of the Nehawka community, sitting on the board of the library, acting as Vice President of the Nehawka Woman’s Club, an executive member of the Nehawka school board (Chairman, Treasurer) , and much more. Isadore’s father, Frank Pollard Sheldon, was a pioneer merchant and farmer, who built Sheldon General Store in 1888. Isadore’s husband, Marion, managed the store. Tragically, Sheldon General Store burnt to the ground on July 15, 1959. Isadore would die only eight days later, on July 23, 1959. Whether there was a connection between the fire and Isadore’s death is unknown. Measuring 6.0 inches by 3.5 inches, this diary contains 365 pages plus memoranda. The diary is approximately 80% complete, containing about 300 entries in the 365 day diary. The cover is an ox-blood leather. It shows wear at the corners but is otherwise in good condition. The binding and spine are in good condition as are the pages. The handwriting is legible.; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011125

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: College Entrepreneur

UKNOWN HORSEMAN, HUNTER AND HORSE RACING FAN

1911-1915 Simple Journals of an Avid Horseman and Hunter from Baltimore, Listing His Horses and Hunting Seasons

Baltimore Maryland MD. Hardcover. On offer are five diaries dating to the early years of the 20th century written by an avid horseman and hunter. On April 18, 1911 our author gives a brief outline of his personal history, however he does not state his name. We know he was born in 1878 in Baltimore. He attended college and was married in 1902. He traveled ‘abroad’. On at least two occasions. He was very involved in the horse racing industry. His 1911 diary lists 30 pages of horses that he has owned. This diary also details his hunting seasons including the horses he rode and the results achieved. He travels extensively in the United States. As noted in various entries over the 5 years. Each diary only contains about a dozen entries. These refer to his horse interests and to hunting. Many other entries are simply notations about being ‘absent” or “arrived office”. Some excerpts of the diaries follow: “Absent. Hunting. Brandywine 8 AM. Ride Sherry. Also [] Skylark. Beautiful day. Have good run over fine country and the pack is certainly wonderful” [Mar 3, 1912]. “... Stopped in Atlanta. Met the Hawkins of 3rd Nat’l Bank and the Woods White of Atlanta Savings Co. Missed Col Laury. Very progressive place…” [Feb 3, 1913]. “…Oak Hill buying hounds” [May 7, 1914]. For an enthusiast of American horse racing and breeding, these small diaries offer a fascinating glimpse into this world as it was in the early 1900s. Our avid horseman diarist wrote in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915. All five diaries measure 6.75” x 4.25”. All of the diaries contain 365 pages and all are approximately 10% complete. All five diaries’ covers are in good condition. The bindings of three of the diaries are in good condition and the binding is broken on the 1911 and 1913 diaries. The pages in all five diaries are in good condition. Overall G-. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall. Fair with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011128

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary; 20th Century Manuscript; 20th Century Rare Book

Keywords: Horsemanship

UNKNOWN

1906 Original Travel Diary of a Young Englishwoman Touring Europe

Europe, 1906. Hardcover. Handwritten 1906 travel diary offering a fascinating look at Europe through the eyes of a young Englishwoman exploring the continent with her mother, sister, and a Catholic priest. The author of the journal is unknown, but from context we guess that she is a young woman. She travels with her uncle, who is a Roman Catholic priest, her mother, and her sister. The family appears to be financially comfortable, and clearly conscious of class distinctions. The diary is printed as a ledger book. It begins with 12 thumb or cut-in index leaves, each labeled alphabetically with two letters (AB, CD, etc. ). Those are followed by 234 pages, with vertical columns lined with red. The author, however, ignores the layout of the book and simply uses it as a written journal. The book’s sturdy hardboard cover is in fairly good condition with wear and some scuff marks on the corners and spine. The pages are in good condition and the endpapers and fore-edges of the book have a beautiful multi-colour decorative design. The handwriting is quite legible. The diary begins on Sept 8, 1906, as the author and her family board a train in Leeds. She is painstaking in noting details as she travels: “... We had not gone very far before we saw a child fall off a railway & then a horse down and a crowd around it, also some men were throwing buckets full of water over the poor animal. ” “By the time we reached Harwich it was very dark and as the train stopped our carriage was invaded by four filthy-looking men in still dirtier blue smocks. They all wanted to carry our four bags but we made two of them take it – it was ridiculous. ”The author’s party sails from Harwich to Antwerp, where her month-long adventure in Europe begins. From Antwerp, they travel to major cities including Brussels, Cologne, Bonn, Basel, and Zurich before ending up in Milan. The diary abruptly ends while they are in Milan. The descriptions of travel by train across Europe and by boat up the Rhine are detailed and colorful: “At nearly every place, the engine driver and all the men got off the train and went into the ‘Estaminet’ for a drink. The number of Estaminets [inns] was astonishing. ” “The residences on the banks of the river were magnificent. Like young palaces a lot of them. Now it was that we saw the first of the vines growing wild. Most of the buildings are white to keep the heat off, not stone but plaster. Konigswinter the famous health resort lies embedded in the trees & mountains a beautiful sight from the boat. ”A principal focus of their travels is to visit religious sites associated with the Catholic Church. The author gives detailed descriptions of the many churches and cathedrals that she visits. This journal offers a wonderful, first-hand glimpse of life across Europe only a few short years before the outbreak of the Great War that changed the face of the continent. It also grants a look at the attitudes of well-off English women in a highly class-conscious society. Details: Size: 9.25" x 6.25" Number of pages: 258 Condition: Good ; Manuscripts; 9.25" x 6.25"; 258 pages. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010042

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: 1906 Turn 1900s Manuscript Memoir

UNKNOWN

1912 Remarkable Lyons Notes and Detailed Drawings on Studies in Textiles Including Silk, Velvet, Plush, Taffeta and More

Lyons, France, 1912. Cloth. On offer is a superb manuscript discussion on French textiles and weaving, written in the late 19th century. The author of the volume is unknown. There is a stamp on the inside front cover: FAB que de REGISTRES; 29 rue Tupin, LYONS. There are also a few names written on a small torn page at the front of the book. From the introduction: (in translation) : “Studies of the Main Textiles…The Silk…Definition: We give the name of silk to the filamentous material secreted by certain [ ] of the family of Saturnine and Tsychides of Bombay and used to the construction of a kind of nest without which the caterpillar locks itself to become a chrysolid”. The book then goes into discussions about the various aspects of the silk cocoon, the silk itself, and weaving. This book contains numerous diagrams of weaving patterns. The illustrations are essentially the patterns for the punch cards to create intricate woven textiles. All illustrations are accompanied by detailed explanations. The book is half written in beautiful calligraphy in black ink and the other half are more ‘casual’ notes in pencil accompanied by in-depth drawings. Some examples of headings from the manuscript (in translation) are: Banele from India, Velvet, Cut Velvet, Gauze, Unwinding the Cocoons, Spinning Defects, Packaging, Wool, Ironed Plush Double Taffeta Background, and so many more. HISTORY OF SILK IN LYON: Lyon was the heart of the French and European silk industry. From the 15th and 16th centuries, silk was traded in the great fairs held in the city. In 1540 the French king, Francois I, granted Lyon a total monopoly on raw silk imports into France. By the 18th century, silk production was the pillar of Lyon’s economy with some 28,000 people employed in the silk industry in 1788. In 1801, the Jacquard loom was invented which only spurred growth in the industry. Fabric dyeing techniques helped drive the development of the chemical industry, which was firmly established by the mid-1800s. By 1870, the silk industry accounted for 75% of Lyon’s total industrial activity, with about 100,000 looms in operation. The fascinating thing is that the Jacquard loom, so integral to the silk weaving industry, is really a forerunner to today’s computers. The Jacquard loom was developed in 180 by Joseph-Marie Jacquard. Jacquard’s loom utilized interchangeable punch cards that controlled the weaving of the cloth so that any desired pattern could be obtained automatically. These punched cards were adopted by the noted English inventor Charles Babbage as an input-output medium for his proposed analytical engine and were used by the American statistician Herman Hollerith to feed data to his census machine. They were also used as a means of inputting data into digital computers but were eventually replaced by electronic devices. Today, silk makers have turned to other fibers or shifted to highly specialized skills such as restoration of historic fabrics or supplying haute-couture designers. The Museum of Textiles preserves the history and heritage of Lyon’s silk industry. It preserves the epic history of silk . In fact, there is now a direct train service between China and Lyon running along the old Silk Road. For a historian, especially one focused on textiles or the silk trade of Europe, this is an outstanding piece of history. For aficionados of haute couture, this is an excellent resource to have on a bookshelf. This handwritten notebook has a hard, fiber-board type cover which is in very good condition. The document measures 11.25x7.5 inches and contains 184 pages. It is 99% complete. The pages are mostly in good condition and the binding is intact. A few pages have come loose and a few more have had a portion excised. The handwriting is neat and legible. Throughout the document are hand drawn illustrations of a variety of weaving patterns, some in black and white, others coloured. French language. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 184 pages. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012227

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Manual

UNKNOWN

1918 Diary of a Single Young Working Woman from a Farming Family Finding White Collar Success in Schenectady, New York

Schenectady, New York, 1918. Softcover. On offer is an interesting little diary that recounts the details of day-to-day life in rural upstate New York as World War One comes to an end and Spanish influenza enters public consciousness. The author of the diary is unknown. Context clues lead us to believe she may be Anna Bolander. Anna was aged 20 at the time of this diary and was living as a lodger with the Babcock family (she moves in with them in March of 1918). The diary does not contain enough clues to confirm the author’s identity. Our author is a single young woman who is unmarried and very social. She lives in or very near to Schenectady, New York. She is living independently, away from family, and references letters to and from her family back home regularly. She initially works at a retail store but mostly does administrative work, seemingly in shipping and receiving for a large company. She changes jobs in the fall of 1918 and, while she doesn’t specify where her new job is, she had discussed applying for jobs at General Electric and other large companies. She is a dedicated Methodist church-goer who is involved in the Epworth League. In her diary, our author comments on local events, her daily life, and has a good grasp on the larger political world around her. She is cultured and attends theatrical and political events. The diary covers the period January to December of 1918. When the diary opens, our author is living independently and working, making occasional trips home. Some excerpts follow: “Bright all day. Warmer. Made out to thaw just a little bit at noon. I went to church up to the State St. Pres church in AM. In PM went down and had two more proofs taken and rest of PM didn’t do anything. At night went to Epworth League and church” [Jan 6, 1918]. Directly impacted by the January 17, 1918 declaration by US fuel administrator Harry Garfield that factories east of the Mississippi River must close from Jan 18-Jan 23 to save coal for World War One. She writes: “...They reported the close down of five days for factory plants and every Monday for ten weeks for stores and the like…” [Jan 17]. (While she didn’t seem hugely impacted, our diarist did stop working on Mondays for several weeks, returning to her full-time schedule in March). More excerpts follow: “Bright and a nice day. In AM I cleaned my room a bit. In PM went down to Van Curler to see Daughter of Mother Machue It was good. I wore my new hat. At night went over the Epworth League Business meeting and social. Had a lovely time. I won the prize on guessing how many candies in a bottle. Nice day today” [Feb 11]. “Quite bright all day. Wind blew like fun. Blew chimneys off and roofs off and all kinds of things. Blew ash cans around and signs down. I worked all day. Marked all the boxes of letters, invoices, etc. Of 1917. They got them all put away in fine shape. At night I went down to the Van Curler alone to see Cheating Cheaters. It was very good” [Feb 26]. “...I moved my things over to Babcocks…” [March 6]. “Cloudy all day. Snowed a little in forenoon. I worked all day. It was hard nervous work. Miss R was cross as two sticks. At night I stayed in and wrote letter home. Nothing unusual happened only Miss R was angry with me” [Apr 13]. At some point in spring or early summer, our author begins seriously seeking a new job and goes home to work on the family farm. In mid autumn, she is freshly employed and back in the city working. Excerpts: “Bright all day. Clear and quite cool. In a. M. I churned. AV mowed. Ma don’t work. In PM. We unloaded load, and raked and drew in another load. At night I crocheted. I got my yoke almost done. Ma used the last of our old potatoes dug some new ones. A week ago we had the first of the new ones” [Aug 16]. “...In AM I went down to GE to see about a position. (Nothing doing). Lso called at Witbecks. In PM I done up a few tomatoes for Mss Eldred. Sent postal home and one to DH…. In AM I went over to AL Co to see Miss Rey…applied for a position to Mr. Cutler. In AM I went to Miss Babcock’s. In PM went over to AL Co to apply for position also called on Mrs. Chas Morrell. At night I called to Lovejoy” [Sept 11-12]. “Spanish influenza is terrible. So many cases. Wrote postal home” [Oct 6]. “Bright all day a lovely day. In AM I worked and in PM we didn’t have to work on account of election. I went to Albany see Ada Jennie Carrie and Pascoles came back on the 9 o’clock local” [Nov 5]. “...I worked all forenoon. At noon report of peace was published and in PM we had some parade every one went wilde. Rec’d postal from Gina V” [Nov 7]. While we cannot confirm our author’s biographical information, we come to know her and her vast social circle well (including many of her friends’ first and last names). We get insight into a young girl from a farming family making her way in a white collar world through her administrative work. This diary is also a gift to those interested in rural New York. Our author travels extensively around the state discussing many places including but not limited to: Cobleskill, Albany, Argusville, Rural Grove, Fort Plain, and more. This small, soft-covered diary is actually a lined notebook measuring 6.0 inches by 3.75 inches. The diary contains 200 pages and is about 75% complete. It is bound across the top and the spine is taped. The binding is sewn and although the stitching is somewhat loose, it and all of the pages are intact. The handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 200 pages. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012249

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Coming Age