UNKNOWN

1927-1929 Diary of an Older American Mother of Six Who Is a Devout Christian

Hartford Connecticut CT. Softcover. On offer is an interesting diary of a Connecticut woman in the years following World War One. This is a five-year diary that was kept for only two-and-a-half years. Entries begin in January, 1927 and continue through to May,1929. The author of this diary is unknown. Context suggests that she lived in Connecticut, possibly in the Hartford area. However, this unnamed woman was very busy. She had a family of 6 children and context again suggests that she is older. One of her daughters is married and has children of her own. There is no reference to a husband in her entries. Several children still live with her. Her life is very busy with the variety of tasks she must complete daily to manage her home. Excerpts follow: “Louise was sick with severe headache in night and today---had indigestion. Came down and slept on lounge. Snowed. Went to Miss Mary meeting. Elsie L. Brought me home in bad storm. He and Mrs. Sye died last night suddenly. Luke 24-5&6” [Jan 4, 1927]. “Tried some puzzles but didn’t feel up enough. Cool. Took nap. Terrible sleepy all of the time. Baked apple pie and potatoes” [Mar 24, 1927]. “Had a lovely bouquet of roses from Elsie and Leighton. Grace wrote lovely card. Elsie got my notices of Board Meeting written. She and Frank went to church. I got dinner. Letter from Esther yesterday. She is away too much. Wrote her a long letter” [May 13, 1928]. “Rained and cooler. Thunderstorm last night. Finished Death Comes to the Archbishop. Finished hemming my napkins. Mr. Case gave me big barrel of gladiolas. Frank and I went to [ ] meeting. Voted to build sidewalk and athletic field [ ] school house. Letter from Esther…” [Aug 6, 1928]. Throughout her diary, she makes references to various biblical texts. For a social historian, this diary paints a picture of a very ordinary woman in her later years managing her family and relationships. For a Women’s Studies program, this diary clearly illustrates the social situation of many women at that time in America. Measuring 5.75 inches by 3.0 inches, the book is about 55% complete. The fabric cover is soiled and shows some wear. The binding has pulled away from the front cover but all pages are intact. The handwriting is cramped. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall. Fair with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011145

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Reigious God Postwar Single

UNKNOWN

1931-1934 Diary of a Bright, Politically Engaged Halifax, Nova Scotia Christian Woman Who Is a Musician in a Philharmonic

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Hardcover. On offer is an interesting diary of a Halifax-area woman who seamlessly comments on global political events, the movements of the stock market and the events of her fascinating daily life over the course of three years. The author of this diary is unknown. From context, she lives in or near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. We think she was married to a man named Percy and had a daughter named Adelaide. We know she has an extremely close contact named Belle (with whom she socialized almost constantly and seems to have worked for at times) , but it is unclear whether Belle is a friend or family member. She is obviously educated and is acutely aware of the political world around her as well as the challenges of the stock market and references both global and local events frequently. She is a musician who plays in a philharmonic, attends church and missionary meetings, and seems to have an active family and social life. Our unknown author begins her diary on Feb 27, 1931 and continues until November, 1934, with random gaps throughout, particularly in 1931 and 1932. Some excerpts give a sense of her style: “...Terrible loss on waterfront. Peace with India about settled. Belle had tea and went to Mrs. Murray’s in fur. P took us. Got fringe” [March 5, 1931]. “Hot. Went to town for a bit. Had nap and then took A. L. To see Daddy Long Legs. Came home early. Hot in house…Hoover’s plan came out. Market soared” [June 20, 1931]. “...Bad in afternoon. Rehearsal for concert in new gym. Nice place” [March 3, 1932]. “Nice in morning. Storm in afternoon. Was at dentist, nerve dying. Market bad. Did not go to Philharmonic” [Feb 8, 1932]. “Lovely day. Downtown in am. “Bad” for a while…Listened to radio. Helped A. L. And then came home. Market better” [Feb 16, 1932]. "Fine. Did some sewing and got dinner. Bad in afternoon. Went to Musical Club in p. M. With B, Mary K and Mrs. Mercer" [Mar 17, 1932]. “Nice snow fall. A. L. Had a great time. Stock market closed in New York. Had bridge with Percy…and “Bad” at night” [March 4, 1933]. “Cleared a bit. Wintry. All banks closed in US. Worrisome days. Helped at Belle’s. Nap and then washed. Went to Phil. Very good practise” [March 6, 1933]. “Hot. Went to golf. Tried Percy’s clubs. Made a light tea & Belle, A. L. & I went out in canoe. Lovely evening” [July 6, 1934]. “Beautiful day. Played golf in AM. Helped Belle in afternoon for party. Went to Missionary Picnic at Park. Lovely time and lunch” [Aug 7, 1934]. “Lovely in a. M. Went to Riverport with Lois and Hector. Had dinner at Lunenburg with Barbara and Sarah. Rain in afternoon...Splendid” [Oct 25, 1934]. For a social historian, especially of Depression-era Canada, this diary provides an intimate look at daily life for one woman during a bleak economic time in one of Canada’s poorer provinces. For a Gender Studies program, this diary clearly shows the role played in society by more well-off yet globally aware women in that early period of Canada’s history. This small, 5-year diary measures 5.3x3.75 inches and contains 365 pages. The cover is a brown padded leather with inlaid designs and is closed with a clasp (broken). The cover is in good condition with some wear marks on the corners. The binding is in good condition, although 3 pages in the centre of the book have detached (but are still present in the diary). The pages are in good condition. The diary is about 65% complete. The handwriting is legible. Overall Fair. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 365 pages. Fair with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011065

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Maritimes Female Experience

UNKNOWN

1938-1965 Three Diaries of a Mystery Long Island, New York Woman Following 27 Years of Her Life

Long Island, New York, United States, New York State. Softcover. On offer is a superb collection of three diaries kept by the same woman over a span of 27 years. How remarkable to get a glimpse into the life of a woman living through the massive changes of the world between 1938 and 1965. These three journals were kept by the same woman who lived in a small village on Long Island, NY. Although there is much detail about her daily life in each volume, she remains unidentified. There are hints that she might have been married and that she had children but she makes no direct references to specific family members. Our informal research has not found any additional biographical information about her. Nonetheless, over the course of three diaries she gives us a sense of her life, her role as a woman and her experience in the context of the culture within which she lived. The first journal covers August 6-December 31, 1938. From context, we know that she lived in the small village of Village Spring on Long Island NY. Her entries are chatty and she comments a great deal on things happening in her immediate life, the war effort, and happenings in her community. Some excerpts follow: “Saw the Aquitania and the Normandie at Sandy Hook ... I took Bill and what a day he had. We went to New York & took the Central R. R. Boat at Cedar St. Down the bay to Sandy Hook. Bill was in like 7th Heaven with delight on the boat, saluted the sailors to their amusement. We were back by 5PM. Bill went to sleep on the subway. Much warmer tonight and a lovely rain came” [Aug 31, 1938]. “Oh what a day of whistling wind lashing rain. Tales of injury, flocks of wrecks a tropical hurricane lashed Long Island, NY area. NJ, Conn badly hit…service not running as the power house…was flooded shutting off the power” [Sept 21, 1938]. “Still cool. How awful to read of the inhumane treatment of Jews and Catholics in Germany. It seems as if we are living at the time of the Spanish Inquisition” [Nov 16, 1938]. “Was cold 18 above went out to VSO Saw Bill in school Staid an hour in Miss Hotchkiss room. Saw the Brockhams Went up later to dinner with John & Bill & Betty Carolyn was not there. Came back tonight as tomorrow will be busy as John comes home soon” [Dec 15, 1938]. We catch up with our author eight years later in 1946. This journal is actually a ledger book that she has used as a diary. She keeps the diary from Jan-Dec but does not write every day. Some excerpts follow: “John is writing feeling better then when he was at school and college he writes about falling for a French girl” [Jan 14, 1946]. “We had lobster dinner for Mrs. Barber it’s her birthday. Jack Mets Killer was found in BK yesterday. Boy did the police beat him up. Jack’s funeral today in Valley Stream” [Feb 7, 1946]. “Another nice day. I took in a huge bunch of Iris and Rose Begonias and Corn flowers. Edna Passe came” [May 28, 1946]. “Went to Wash Mkt cheese we used to get for 20 cents a lb is now 85 cents peanut butter is 39 cents a lb and Creamery butter is 1.00 if you can get it” [Oct 10, 1946]. The final diary covers 1964-1965. Again we get insight into our author’s daily life, the lives of those in her community, and some commentary on global events. Excerpts follow: “Once more worked and weeded and tied up the tomatoes again – they put out such long branches. The Negro uprising in NY & Brooklyn is aweful” [July 15, 1964] (This is a reference to the Harlem Riots of July, 1964). “90-deg Went to Village Shopped. Met Carolyn – then went & paid Village Tax & to bank to pay tel bill” [September 29, 1964]. “Very cold down to 20 its the first freeze since last April. Memorial for J. F. Kennedy its the 1st anniversary” [Nov 22, 1964]. “Did a lot of baking. Bill Gunderson gave me some apples and I made jelly” [Feb 27, 1965]. “24 years today since Pearl Harbor and here we are in the awful Viet Kong War” [Dec 7, 1965]. For a social historian, this is an excellent long-term view of a woman’s life. Through her eyes, one can see the steady changes that are unfolding as life in America changes. The diaries measure 8.5 x 5.5, 12 x 7.5 and 9.75 x 7.5 inches respectively. They range from 30% to 90% complete. The first journal is comprised of 1/2 size, 3-hole punched loose leaf paper bound together with a cord. There are no covers. The pages are in good condition. The second diary is a ledger book repurposed as a diary and the third book is a repurposed university notebook. All are in fair to good condition. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012250

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Women's Studies Working Coming Age Single

W. K. WALKER

1941 Diary of a World War Two (Wwii) Pilot Officer for the Royal Air Force Serving on the Middle East Command in Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt, Killay, Swansea, Wales, 1941. Softcover. On offer is a wonderful personal record of a Royal Air Force officer serving in North Africa during the first half of WWII. This diary belonged to Pilot Officer W. K. Walker, RAF. Walker was born in Killay, Swansea, Wales. Unfortunately research has not turned up any additional information on Walker. The diary covers the year 1941 with most of the entries in the first 8 months of the year. Walker was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force. When his diary begins, he is beginning a leave. A day later, Jan 2, he receives a wire informing him that his father had passed away. After the funeral, he returns to his base and a week later received instructions to prepare to ship out overseas. His destination is Cairo, home to the Royal Air Force’s Middle East Command. As he waits to begin his journey, he reports that his hometown Swansea was the target of a bad air raid. (Jan 17). He receives 7 days leave to return home. He returns from leave on Jan 26 kitted out for the middle east (Jan 27). Granted another 13 day leave, he returns home again. While home, he records another bad air raid (bombs very close on Feb 19). He returns to base to complete final preparations and once again receives a pass to go home. While home, Swansea again is heavily bombed. He notes that a friend of his was injured in the bombing. On March 20, Walker finally travels to Liverpool where he boards the Viceroy of India, bound for Cairo by way of Capetown, South Africa. On May 6, he arrives in Port Said, Egypt. “PT at 0715 very hot sun with nice cool breeze. Sighted land 11: 30 hr. Approached Freetown Harbour passing glorious palm groves, lagoons and gorgeous tropical coast with hills rising sharply to 3000’, covered with trees and small bungalows. Anchored about 1815. Native sampams (bumboats) came alongside trying to see fruit baskets etc. ” [Apr 4]. “Watched troops disembark in lighters during this morning after dressing in all equipment…” [May 9]. For the next several months, attached to RAF Middle East Command, he carries out a variety of tasks, commenting on people he encounters and places he visits. As a Pilot Officer not assigned to an air crew, his duties were ground-based. In addition to his daily entries, the diary contains a good deal of interesting handwritten memoranda by Walker and printed RAF information. Of interest as well is a silhouette chart of British / Allied and German aircraft for visual identification. For anyone interested in the RAF in the Second World War or the Middle East Command, this is a fine record of a junior officer's experience at one of the RASF’s major command centres during WWII. This small diary measures 2.75 inches by 4.75 inches and contains 92 pages plus extensive memoranda.. The cover is in good condition with evidence of wear along the edges and at the corners. The binding has been wrapped in a strip of tape to secure it. The pages are in good condition. The handwriting is very tight but fairly legible.; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 92 pages; Signed by Author. Fair with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010319

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Campaigns 2

GERTRUDE E. WOOD

1943-1947 Jam-Packed Diary of a Dedicated Teacher on the Home Front Chronicling Daily Life in the Boston Area During Ww2

Boston, Massachusetts. Hardcover. On offer is a very thorough 5-year diary written by a Massachusetts teacher who comments almost as frequently on the US war effort as she does on her teaching job, about which she is passionate. The diary was written by Gertrude E. Wood of Boston, Massachusetts (b. 1909). There is minimal information available about Wood, however we believe she was born in Maine and moved to the Boston area, where she taught elementary school. Begun in 1943, her diary chronicles her day-to-day experiences throughout the war years. When people think of the involvement of citizens in WWII, usually it's the men and women in uniform that come to mind immediately. However, their incredible effort could not have been sustained and ultimately successful without the enormous effort of civilians on the home front. Gertrude is an example of someone keeping things moving in the US while also hawkishly watching and recording the war efforts as they had a big impact on her day to day life and the lives of those around her. Excerpts follow: “Reported for surgical dressing work with a group much smaller than usual. Went to the movies with Doris M and Doris F. Fred Astair and Rita Hayworth in “You Were Never Lovelier” [Feb 2, 1943]. “Was one of the few who reported for Red Cross work. Closing days are busy days. Paid $.40 for a cantaloupe. It was good! ” [June 2, 1943]. “D-Day at last! Not very complete reports yet but it seems that the opposition the first day was not too severe” [June 6, 1944]. “Allied armies across the German order. Tremendous air attacks on Germany. How much longer can she hold out! ” [Sept 11, 1944]. “Attended War Relief work session at Women’s Club meeting. Information comes that the Red Cross quota has been filled. Fewer casualties than expected” [Oct 25, 1944]. “The new year dawns on a chaotic world. Victory and peace do not seem so near as they did a few months past” [Jan 1, 1945]. “Japan still subjected to heavy bombing. Gen Eisenhower reported as saying unconditional surrender will be required of Nazis and not negotiated” [Mar 28, 1945]. “Publication Club makes a good start. It looks like an interested, enthusiastic staff. Laval of France has been executed” [Oct 15, 1945]. “Pat received word that her brother Fred has reached home. She off to Bridgewater for weekend, Doris to the School Follies, I to church” [Mar 15, 1946]. “Back to school for full session first day including a one hour teacher’s meeting. Gerald Kelly back on the job in Miss Taylor’s place. Miss Kelley carries on” [Sept 9, 1946]. “Word comes that the execution of top ranking Nazis has taken place. Goering committed suicide by poison. C and I dine at the Blue Sea Tea Room” [Oct 6, 1946]. “Pat and I go to the “Open Night” lecture at Harvard Observatory. Interesting lecture on the moon. We look at the moon and the Pleiades through the telescope” [Nov 21, 1947]. For a social historian, this diary is a goldmine of information about daily life and attitudes in America during WWII. As one would expect from an English teacher, the entries are well-written. Those with an interest in education would find her many remarks about her work and concerns like curriculum development interesting to read. A military historian, especially one focused on the ‘Home Front’, would find this an excellent record of how information about the reality of war on the battlefield was being understood at home. This diary would certainly be a good resource for a Women’s Studies program as it chronicles not only the life and times of a single working woman but also the times when there was an entire social revolution taking place about the role of women in society. Measuring 4.0x5.5 inches, it contains 365 pages and is 100% complete. The leather cover is in good condition as are the binding and pages. The handwriting is legible. Overall VG. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012245

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Homefront

ROBERT SIMPSON WOODWARD

Manuscript Laboratory Notebook of Brilliant American Physicist and Mathematician Robert Simpson Woodward of Columbia University, Carnegie Institute and More

New York, United States. Softcover. On offer is an undated work notebook used by a brilliant American physicist and mathematician who was once the head of a preeminent research science institute in the United States and indeed world-wide. The notebook cover has the printed title “Physical Laboratory”. The notebook contains the signature “R. S Woodward” and our research has confirmed that this is the signature of one of America’s foremost physics and mathematics scientists in the Early 20th century, Robert Simpson Woodward (1849-1924). He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and became Assistant Engineer to the United States Lake Survey. He moved to several other positions, becoming Assistant to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, the first scientific agency of the U. S. Government. It was responsible for the charting of the entire coast of the United States as well as mapping the interior. Leaving government service, Woodward went to Columbia University where he was first a professor and then Dean of the Faculty of Pure Science for ten years. Leaving Columbia, in 1904, he became President of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. - a position he would hold for the next 16 years. The Institute, now known as Carnegie Institution for Science, was founded in 1902 with a very large grant from Andrew Carnegie, a hugely successful American businessman and later philanthropist. The Institution is an internationally recognized scientific research institution and one of the foremost scientific centers in the United States. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Mathematical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Philosophical Society. During WWI, he was appointed to the Naval Consulting Board. The notebook contains pages of handwritten mathematical and physics calculations, formulae and notes with explanations of the work. Headings of the various sections Woodward wrote include: Mechanics, Kinetics, Dynamics, Linear Acceleration, Recitation motion referral to two axes…, Copland motion translation and rotation, Simultaneous motion of rotation about two axes in the same plane, and much more. For a mathematician or scientist engaged in research or teaching, this notebook is an outstanding direct link to one of America’s great scientific minds whose work and published research continues to have an impact to this day. This notebook measures 8.0 inches by 4.75 inches and contains 84 pages, of which 28 are filled with Woodward’s notes. It has a hard pressed paper cover that is in very good condition. The spine is taped and the pages sewn and both are in good condition as are all of the pages. The pages are lightly lined with a faint blue grip pattern. The handwriting is legible. Overall VG. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 28 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012255

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary