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

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

BETTY JEAN WILLISON

1930 Collection of an Adorable Diary and the Handmade Art of a 10-Year-Old Washington Girl

Tacoma, Washington, Usa, 1930. Softcover. On offer is a delightful collection containing a school aged girls’ pocket diary and a collection of her handmade artwork. The diary and artwork were created by Betty Jean (legal birth name: Andrina Elizabeth) Willison (b.1920) of Tacoma, Washington. Betty Jean was the third of five children born to Andrew and Olive (Derrickson) Willison. She was in elementary school at the time she kept this diary, but would go on to graduate from Stadium High School and George Washington University. In 1942, Betty Jean would marry Lloyd Garrison (1917-2007) in Palm Beach, Florida, where Lloyd was stationed with the US Navy. They divorced in California in 1971. Unfortunately we were unable to trace the rest of Willison’s life. Betty Jean kept her diary in 1930 and from March 10 through May 1st. While brief, her entries paint a quite lovely picture of the life of this 10-year-old girl with her family, friends and at school Some excerpts: “Last night I went up to Virginia’s house. I made the cutest garage for a little car and she made a little Gas Station” [March 12]. “Saturday we played baseball and every time I was up they caught my fly. So it made it very bad for me” [Mar 15]. “Last night I went to the Symphony concert. My cousin played in it. Her name was Virginia Willison” [Mar 20]. “Last night I played Jacks. I was in my 60’s when my sister was only in her 30’s” [April 19]. “Yesterday we played house. I was the maid, Jessie was the father, and my cousin was the mother and my little sister was the child” [April 27]. Along with her sweet diary are several pieces of Betty Jean’s artwork, some of which are signed by her, most being forms of paper applique. Altogether it is a charming diary and collection of a child’s artwork, highlighting the daily life of a happy and secure school age child at the outset of the Great Depression. The diary consists of a small, top-bound notebook, measuring 5 inches by 3 inches. It contains only 24 pages, all with diary entries, with evidence that a number of pages had been removed at the back of the notebook. The covers are in good condition as is the binding. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 24 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012262

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

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