Search Results: 20th Century Diary from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

Ontario, Canada. Good with no dust jacket. Softcover. On offer is a most unique collection of eleven diaries as well as family photographs, mementos and records of Arthur H. A. Robinson, a noted Canadian Mining Engineer, during the heyday of the great mining discoveries in northern Ontario. The diaries allow the reader to follow the Robinson family for 75 years, beginning with an 1850s-60s diary kept by Arthur H. A. Robinsons father before Arthur was born, moving on to 27 years of diaries kept by Arthur himself from age 13 to 40. Finally, the collection concludes with two diaries written by Arthurs son, from age 14 through his time at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Arthur H. A. Robinson was born in 1873 in Peterborough, Ontario. He studied engineering and graduated as a mining engineer. He was employed as an Inspector of Mines with the Government of Canada. Research indicates that he also did work for the Government of Ontarios Bureau of Mines. He was married and he and his wife… Read More

PORTAGE CITY, SPRING LAKE, WISCONSIN, WI. Very Good+. 1939. On offer is an fascinating diary, chronicling in fantastic detail and comprehensiveness, the entire life of a Mrs. Carrie Cecilia Cole Frye. The diary was begun in 1908, but it begins all the way back from her birth in 1864. She details her childhood, family life, parents, brothers and sisters, notable births, deaths, marriages, her marriage to Robert John Frye, the first time she was able to vote for President, her family being quarantined for a Smallpox outbreak, and so much more, all the way up to 1939. This is a tremendously unique document, covering a person’s entire life in unprecedented detail. From reading this diary, it is easy to see that Mrs. Cole had an exceptional and truly fulfilled life. Born on February 18, 1864, in Portage City, Wisconsin, to a family with ten other children, she writes about moving around the state often. A child of strict parents, she began working at 10 years old for her room, board, and… Read More

New England. Good. 1868. On offer is an absolutely outstanding collection of diaries from one family that span 33 years. These diaries paint a warm and intimate look at the life of a very fine woman and here family. In addition, there are 2 account books that cover a 12 year period. The dates, sizes, completion and general condition of the volumes are as follows: Diary 1868 measures 6'x3', has 60 pages, is 100% complete and in good condition; Diary 1869 measures 4.75 x 3.0, has 60 pages, is 100% complete and in fair condition, covers are missing; Diary 1870 measures 4.75 x 3.0, has 60 pages, is 100% complete and in good condition; Diary 1882 measures 5.0' x 3.0', has 365 pages, is 100% complete, and in good condition except a tear in the front cover; Diary 1892 measures 4.75' x 3.0', has 91 pages, 100% complete and in good condition; Diary 1902 - 4.0' x 2.5', 365 pages, 20% complete and in good condition, except worn and damaged cover in one corner; Diary… Read More

Massachusetts. Good+. 1871. On offer is a fascinating. original pair (2) of interesting manuscript diaries that belonged to members of the Bates family in Massachusetts - Mrs. Hiram Bates (nee Ellen Francis Thorpe, in the second marriage Mrs. Charles W. Merry), and her step-daughter Delia Maria Bates. The first diary, authored by Delia Maria Bates in 1871, measures 3'9 x 2'5, and almost 100% complete. The second authored by Ellen Francis Thorpe, measures 3'9 x 2'5, is for 1879, but the entries are for March 3rd to April 10th, 1881 and for May 1st to June 12th, 1907. Both diaries are in very good condition. Delia Maria Bates (1849 - 1892) was a daughter of Hiram Bates and Diantha Maria Hubbard, she was 22 when writing the diary. Delia's diary covers the complete year of 1871 and in the back pocket there is a charming piece of lace ribbon. There are only 9 days that Delia does not write and that's because she is sick. She also seems like she's away from home for… Read More

HOLYOKE MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK CITY NY. Good. 1872. On offer is a super pair [2] of original manuscript diaries handwritten by Sarah Hart Phelps Jewett who was the wife of Civil War veteran, author [sometimes under the nom de plume Hannah Warner] and publisher, John Howard Jewett. The first diary was written in 1872 when John and his wife lived in Holyoke and he was the editor of the Holyoke Transcript. Approximately 60% full, having 90 blank pages, there is still a wealth of narrative in this "page a day" diary and her entries often fill an entire page. [Remarkably the second diary is nearly 40 years later from 1911 as identified in her own hand: "Sarah Hart Phelps Jewett Swannanoa Apartments, 105 East 15th Street New York City." This second diary is 95% with only 27 blank days and is also a page a day diary. Her handwriting is quite small and the diary is well filled with many fascinating entries. There are lots of trips to Staten Island, trips to other areas of New… Read More

ADAMS WATERTOWN NEW YORK NY. Very Good. 1881. Leather. On offer is a fascinating pairing of original handwritten diaries once belonging to Adams, New York man, Edwin H. Chafin. One handwritten diary records the life, activities and commerce of a young Mr. Chafin in 1881 and then 33 years later we have his 1914 diary. Like bookends it is very intriguing to read and compare the activities and duties of a man in his 30s [he reveals his wife is 63 in 1914, thusly 30 in 1881] and then read of his more frequent church going and pension collecting three decades later. Local collectors and historians and genealogists will find a unique prospect of research in this personal history spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. ; 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall; Sociology, Ageism, Age Studies, Aging, Genealogy, Personal, Memoir, Handwritten, hand written, autograph, autographs, signed, letters, document, documents, manuscript, manuscripts, writers, writer, author, holograph, personal, Americana,… Read More

Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, New England. Poor with no dust jacket. 1884-1961. Hardcover. On offer is the Birthday Book Scrapbook and Journal of Mabel Lavinia Earle (1873-1963). Mabel was the daughter of a prominent American Civil War lieutenant, from Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts [SEE BIO NOTES BELOW}. On Christmas of 1884, at age 11, Mabel was gifted a Birthday Book by her cousin Barrie. Barrie started the book by writing some birthdays and marriages in his own hand. Mabel then kept the book religiously until shortly before her death. She recorded almost 80 years’ worth of the marriages, births and deaths of hundreds of family, friends and community members. She also meticulously cut out and glued or tucked in related news articles, obituaries, birth announcements and notes about others’ special life events. What Mabel unknowingly created is an absolute genealogical treasure trove for the New England region in the 19th and 20th centuries. While this Birthday Book is… Read More

Sands Point Long Island New York. Good with no dust jacket. Hardcover. On offer are two diaries of Mr. George William Tibbits, a dedicated New York farmer living in Sands Point, Nassau County in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These diaries span 11 years of Mr. Tibbits’ life, beginning when he was 69-years-old and ending only six months before his death at age 80. Mr. Tibbits’ entries are clear, concise and descriptive. In addition to describing his daily farming tasks, they also contain a list of sales receipts for agricultural products and provide an excellent overview of the prices of various food products at the time. Many of his products may have ended up in the markets of nearby New York City. Our diarist, George William Tibbits, was born in 1827 and passed away in 1907 at the age of 80. Our informal research has not been able to find any additional information about him but his family name appears on a street in the village of Sands Point, NY. Although his entries… Read More

BOLIVIA PERU SOUTH AMERICA. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1899. On offer is a superb pair [2] of original manuscript diaries handwritten by an unidentified American adventurer and gold prospector in Bolivia and Peru circa 1899 - 1901. The diaries, inscribed #4 and #5, with the others lost to history, tell the incredible story of the author's adventures and encounters with Indigenous Bolivians, thieves, highwayman, soldiers, and expatriates. In many ways, the times and places nted evoke Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Historians and researchers will be delighted given the long, detailed, and keen-eyed observations of the author. While this is non-fiction and a personal account, it reads like an old-fashioned novel full of intrigue and adventure. For example, our author actually pulls his revolver on a group over a mining claim. In another entry he believes he is being followed and writes his location for friends in case he is murdered, and his body is found. In another entry he… Read More

MOUNT VERNON IOWA IA. Good+. 1899. On offer is a fascinating, original archive of 12 manuscript diaries handwritten by the personable and charming Glenn W. Hovey. The diaries dated 1899 through 1911 offer a rare opportunity to witness the development of this young Iowa boy from elementary school days to a 24 year old college man on the cusp of following his life calling. Along with the narrative Glenn's writings have the added depth of having tucked in a great deal of ephemera such as newspaper clippings, photos, documents etc. It is absolutely fascinating to see this young boy grow as his age and maturation progresses, so does the writing style and penmanship. Besides the typical, daily mundane doings of the day and a young man raised in a good home, church and social life Glenn can also wax philosophic: "Jan 1 1903 Goodbye old book. I regret to lose you as so close a companion, but you will show me in later years (this) was one of the best years of my life". "Is the… Read More

Donsol, Pilar, Manila, Philippines, New York, Malta. Poor with no dust jacket. 1899-1901. Other. On offer is an unbelievable handwritten account of 19 months of action on the frontlines of the Philippine Insurrection (the Philippine-American War) between November 1899 and June 1901. An unknown American soldier writes of his experiences in a level of detail that cannot be overstated. This diary places the reader in the Philippines with shocking realism, making this diary exceedingly rare. The 139 pages of this journalled account of events have been removed from a larger document and someone has pinned these loose pages together. This writing begins at the end of a sentence penned on (presumably) November 17, 1899 and concludes half way through a sentence written on June 23, 1901. There seem to be very few missing pages from within the journal, and it reads very smoothly. The content is outstanding. The diary opens with our soldier diarist sailing from New York to the Philippines, via the British Naval… Read More

NAPA VALLEY CALIFORNIA CA ST. HELENA. Good. 1900. On offer is a super, manuscript diary by renowned California painter Lucy E. Wiester, as evidenced by the holograph entry "Mrs. W. H. Wiester 1900-1901" and then her address in San Francisco also in her hand [there are archival notes in pencil in a later hand reading: 'St. Helena Diary' where she resided in Napa Valley California]. It appears our writer used an older 1897 diary which has about 9 days entries for 1897 by the previous owner [almost certainly a family member as similar people are mentioned] but then Lucy picks up the book and writes for the most daily entries from January 1st through May 16th, 1900 then somewhat more sporadically to April 1901. We learn that Lucy is a married, busy, thriving artist and active member of the community in Napa Valley. [Research finds she was born in 1843 Illinois.] The diary relates many instances of wild-flowering, hearing concerts like the Knickerbocker Quartet and the… Read More

England, Europe. Very Good. 1900. Leather. On offer is a large extensive travel diary used by Miss I.F. Usher of Madison Ave., New York City to record her ocean trips and travel between 1900 and 1903. The diary begins with her landing in Liverpool and a fond farewell to her cabin mate Mrs. Haigh. A woman traveling alone, Ms. Usher does not have an easy time of it right from the start when she is placed with 'an awful looking man' and begs the married couple next door to leave their door open just in case. A dedicated diarist Ms. Usher records everyone she meets, the places she goes and her impressions of all she sees. She travels sparingly taking 3rd class berths and when during the trip her bicycle falls apart and the repair shop charges her two shillings she laments 'I shall spend all my money on the old thing.' Being short on funds though does not stop her generosity when a travel companion has her 85th birthday Ms. Usher buys her a calendar for a gift. [She is obviously… Read More

KIMBERLEY SOUTH AFRICA. Fair. 1900. On offer is a superb manuscript relic the Boer War being the handwritten diary of Lance Sgt. G. Webster, 1st L.N.L. Reg't, South Africa [Loyal North Lancashires] detailing Webster's active service from Sunday July 15th 1900 - October 24th 1901 and then a later entry titled "July 3 1902 an Account of Lord Methuen's Fight at Harty River 7-3-02 by an Eye Witness". The content is nothing short of fantastic as Webster records page after page of battle encounters, skirmishes, camps, marches, prisoners, killed, wounded etc. with names of places, people and events including many entries concerning Baden Powell. While the majority of writings are specific to South Africa there are entries of greater scope including Queen Victoria's death. The 120+ page diary is well filled with no blanks which historians and researchers of the era will find a super primary account of the Boer War. The diary is in rough shape, the front cover is still… Read More

ABOARD THE USS CINCINNATI, SOUTHPORT, N. CAROLINA, 1900. On offer are two exceptional and detailed logbooks and journals from Harry Phelps, a Lieutenant, then Commodore, in the United States Navy around the turn of the 20th century. The first book dates from 1900 and covers the period from October 1900 to November 1902. The second diary covers the period from 1916 to 1918, although the cover says ‘1906’. The two diaries are filled to the brim with writing about his life, career, and day-to-day activities. His writing is very simple, stating in a matter-of-fact way the details of his day. For example: “Saturday October 13th, 1900. We line out at half past seven, have breakfast soon after eight and I go to the office by nine and am busy until noon when I go up to luncheon on my while. It is raining so I go back by the cars. I got to the carpenter’s shop to fix some shelving and work in the office from two to four when I walk home. I put up two shelves in our room and then shave and… Read More

Lunenberg, Jaffrey, Boston Massachusetts MA. Very Good. 1900. On offer is a handwritten archive of manuscript diaries written by Charles F. Paige. In all there are seven [7] diaries covering the years 1900, 1902, 1904, 1906, 1913, 1920 and 1924. These make for a fascinating period collection of an incredibly hard working man who straddles the rural and urban worlds. He is a farmer, itinerant worker for other farmers and also works for extended periods on more modern works for the Boston Elevated Railroad Co. Charles is also entrepreneur earning as much as $2.25 per day, he pays those who labor for him 50 to 60 cents per day. Truly interesting even in the sporadic fashion of the diaries to see Charles' life evolve and progress. Places he called villages have become towns, towns have become cities. So hard a worker is Charles that when in 1904 his father dies, January 31, 1904, 87 years, 10 months, 25 days old and still Charles goes to work. He notes just 2 months later that Adeline S.… Read More

S.S. OCEANIC, CHICAGO ILLINOIS, BOSTON MASS. Very Good. 1900. Leather. On offer are two handwritten manuscript diaries written by George Dresser Smith of Chicago, Illinois. In the first diary, a lovely journal style leather notebook, George identifies himself on the fep. We believe he is a young man, perhaps mid teens, traveling with his family from New York City on August 18th 1900 on the steamer Oceanic. George details a very comprehensive 'classic' European tour for two full months but the writing ends abruptly on October 18th, 1900, the date being handwritten but nothing else on this day and the rest of the book is blank. The second diary is a cheap notebook style paper cover journal. Unnamed and undated the handwriting is most certainly the same yet more mature. George at this point in his life is working/mentoring/studying with Dr. Addison, Dr. Talbot and Dr. Broadhead in and around Boston but they seem to make many trips back and forth to New York. It appears that the… Read More

LAFAYETTE, INDIANA. Good+. 1900. On offer is an interesting small diary/memo book written between Oct 1st, 1900 and Feb 19th by Flora G Schilling, an Indiana student. The memo book measures about 5 1/2 in by 2 3/4 in and was a promotional item put out by "Bert A. Drees, Pharmacist" of Lafayette, IN. With 30 pages, it is in very good condition and 100% complete. The handwriting is quite legible. The heading of the first page note Class of 01 which would seem to confirm her status as a student. References on page 3 indicate that Schilling and her friends attended the annual Fall Carnival. The entries are sporadic in nature and some are undated. A notable entry in this little journal was: "Roosevelt came to the city... watching the Rough rider on Main Street..." [Oct 10, 1900. This is a reference to the 1900 US Presidential election campaign where Theodore Roosevelt's was running as Vice-Presidential candidate. Most entries are of a chatty nature: "Frank and I… Read More

BERKSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS MASS MA. Good. 1900. On offer is the original 1900 manuscript diary handwritten by a woman in or around Berkshire County Massachusetts with many mentions of trips to Sheffield, Stockbridge, Hillsdale, Ashley Falls, Housantonic etc., and while the author's name is not mentioned we believe she is a member of Higgins family given the frequent and method of mentioning of contacts. The author celebrates her 13 year wedding anniversary on March 3rd. From her entries we learn that she raises canaries, has a very difficult time keeping warm in her home, spends time at their cottage, attends lawn parties and band concerts, and one very interesting entry she talks about how they "were up so much last night with the Negroes" that they slept all the next day. Here are some more snippets: "January 26th, A fierce nor western blew all day and all night. I churned and the rest of the time tried to keep warm. It was a fearful night. I scarcely kept warm in… Read More

Illinois, United States. Good with no dust jacket. 1900. Softcover. On offer is a fine description of a young woman’s life in small-town America at the turn of the 20th century. The author of this diary is Marie Weckesser. From context, we know that she is a young woman, likely in her early twenties. Although we have no specific biographical information about her, we do know that she is related to the Landis family in Sterling, Illinois, specifically John & Susan Landis who were her uncle and aunt. Our informal research has not been able to find any additional biographical information about her. From context we know that she lived in the Sterling, Illinois - Rock Falls, Illinois area. Her diary begins in May of 1900. Most days she enters several descriptive lines. It continued through until September 1901. Her entries describe a quiet life lived with presumably her sister. Her father is mentioned in passing at various points but there is no reference to her mother. Her days are… Read More