Handwritten Album from 19th Century Female Student at Iowa College (1879-1885), Recording the First Wave of Women Pursuing Higher Education in the U.S.

[Women Education] [Handwritten Album] Memory Album from Woman Student at Iowa College, 1879-1885. A memorabilia, recording many aspects of the first major movement of women's education in the United States brings depth to a movement that was groundbreaking in its time, but today is largely at risk of disappearing from the historical record. Filled with 28 handwritten messages and signatures of friends and classmates. Entries date from 1879-1885. 7 x 4 in. Covers in red and gilt with title "Floral Album" in the center of an Egyptian sphinx motif.  Page edges gilt. 15 color printed illustrations of flowers throughout. 28 handwritten messages and signatures from friends in New Jersey and Iowa.  Approximately 30 pages filled. The majority of entries in English, but one friend has written a verse in Latin, and some more have written in French, demonstrating language skills mastered in college.  Originally belonging to May Farbush. Memory albums held autographs, sentiments, and reminiscences of friends and schoolmates, similar to yearbooks today. As is typical of the time, most of the entries are non-personal pieces of poetry (often with the recipient's name filled in several spots to "personalize" the entry.  However, the best entries are the ones which are truly personal, such as one signed "Mary Bye Everett," who writes, "Ever remember the happy hours, we have spent together at the Iowa College.  How well the Conversational Hour was improved in studying French.  Happy time, never to be again, but always to be remembered..." Another friends signs from another college town, Grinnell, Iowa. Last color illustration detached. Loss to bottom of spine. Light foxing and toning. Very good condition overall.