Search Results: 20th Century Manuscript 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

PROVIDENCE, RI. Good. 1871. On offer are the lecture notes of a mid-19th century university student at one of the oldest universities in the United States, founded decades before the American Revolution. Measuring 10 inches by 7.75 inches, the hardcover notebook has 220 pages and is 100% complete. The handwriting is copperplate and is easy to read. The author is Herbert Almy and he is a student at Brown University in 1870's. From a course outline affixed to one page, it appears that these notes were written in the winter of 1871-72. Almy graduated from Brown in 1873 and entered the legal profession. He was Assistant Clerk of the US Supreme Court from 1876 to 1885. Subsequently, he practiced law in Providence, RI. Brown University, located in Providence RI, is the 7th oldest university in the United States and one of the 9 that were chartered before the American Revolution. It is a private, Ivy League university with a good reputation for research. Its alumni number many successful… Read More

CARACAS VENEZUELA. Very Good. 1938. On offer is a super archive of manuscript letters to and from Manuel Antonio Matos a banker, politician, investor, General and businessman of Venezuela, who exerted great political and economic influence over the country, maintaining contact with companies and foreigners who were operating in Venezuela and having held variety of positions in banking and disposing of the estimated was the greatest fortune of Venezuela which he used to fund the popularly called 'Liberation Revolution', which sought to overthrow the government of Cipriano Castro, and was supported by overseas and multinational companies in the financial circles of the country. He was brother in law and Admin of Antonio Guzmán Blanco , and Minister of Finance during his administration. Later he was Minister of Foreign Affairs during the government of Juan Vicente Gómez , retiring from public life in 1913 , settling in Paris , where he died 16 years later. Twenty… Read More

BOBBILI CASTE GIRL'S SCHOOL INDIA, 1938. On offer is a super, original and interesting glimpse into Baptist missionary work in India being manuscript history of the Bobbili Caste Girl's School in India from 1880-1938 handwritten by an unknown Baptist missionary. "Trouble came when a rival school was started by the Maharajah. The superior inducements which he held out such as presents of gold, money, etc. made it impossible to maintain the former attendance." "In 1904 it was decided that the Bobbili School should be recognized as the "Central Girls School for the Maritime Missions". Dates to 1938: "The boarding apartment starting with one waif has grown until this year (1938), 125 have been in attendance - the full capacity." omplete in six numbered leaves each measuring 8 x 5 inches, difficult to read the last line of page one, thereafter no problem. HISTORICAL NOTES: From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography: "Matilda Moore Faulkner (Churchill),… Read More

ABOARD THE HMS ALEXANDRA EGYPT. Very Good. 1882. On offer is the original manuscript eyewitness account of the Bombardment of Alexandria, Egypt between July 11th - 13th 1882 handwritten by participant Captain George James Tomlin, Royal Navy [1837 - 1906]. This is a superb primary source account by a Royal Navy Officer and a participant in the bombardment, augmented by photographic material and as such rare and unique. Captain George J. Tomlin, the second generation in a line of four men who all became Royal Navy Officers. He was on board HMS Alexandra during the British assault on Alexandria and provides a detailed first-hand account of the battle. He notes: 'the Alexandra was struck about 30 times to the hull. she had 1 man killed and 30 wounded'. The narrative describes the battle and both collectors and historians will be impressed by the details provided in the written manuscript. Tomlin lists the participating ships, their guns, losses, method of attack etc. and also comments… Read More

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Usa. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1884-1912. Manuscript. On offer is an archive of nine (9) letters that tell the story of a young Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania mans life from 1884 through 1912, when he is 19 through 47 years of age. All but one letter is addressed to Walter Peter Cole (1865-1948) of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The final letter is addressed to his wife. Walter P. Cole was born in Wallsville, PA. At one point he lived in Newton, PA, and he settled to raise his family in Dalton, PA. Walter worked as a dairy farmer in Lackawanna County and sold seeds for C. W. Stuart & Co. , Nurserymen. He was married to Minnie Louise (Corey) Cole. Together, they had two sons, George and Willis. Minnie died in 1920 at age 52 of breast cancer and Walter died at the age of 83 after a long battle with myocarditis. While Walter and his immediate family live in Lackawanna County, PA, his extended family lives in Ortonville, Big Stone, Minnesota and… 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

GARDINER MAINE ME , 1887. On offer is an original July 28 1887 handwritten request that had been sent to the printers in Gardiner Maine as advertisement for a baseball game "Between Bath vs. Gardiner Goodmen, on the common, Thursday July 28th '87. Game called at 2.30 Sharp. Bath Battery - Brown and Dunning. Goodmen Battery - McKenny and Hutchings. The Baths are newly organized and are a strong Team, Gardiner will also present a strong team, and a fine Game is expected." Super early Baseball collectible.. Autograph. Good+. 64mo - up to 3" tall.

Edinburgh, Scotland And New Hampshire, Usa: United States Immigrant From Scotland, SS Nebraska Voyage. Good. 1895-1915. Softcover. On offer is a set of three diaries of James Roger, a British immigrant to the United States in the late 19th century. Roger was born in England in 1841. He was a clerk in Birmingham, England, and entered the railway service in 1866, becoming the station master at Rosslyn Castle near Edinburgh for 31 years. He was married in 1867 and he and his wife Margaret had six children. He was ordained an elder in the Established Church (Presbyterian) of Scotland in 1878 and elected a member of the General Assembly in 1896. He came to America in 1897 and settled in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, where he had a duck farm. He also served as a member of the school board, a superintendent of the Congregational Sunday School and a deacon. He passed away in 1916 at the age of 75. There are three journals that he kept. The first one cover the time period from July 1st, 1895 to Oct… 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

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

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

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

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

BELLVIEW, BELLEVUE, TENNESSEE. Good+. 1900. On offer is an original, unique circa 1900 -1908 archive of a young college aged woman Frances Harding from Bellview [Bellevue] Tennessee. She attended Soule College and the Memphis Conference Female Institute. The archive includes letters [23] from her family and friends and some notes [9] from college friends and school mates. Some seem to be from young men who are trying to court her; others are from her friends telling Frances not to flirt! Here is a good example "Yield not to flirtation, For flirting is serious each sister will help you her brother to fight advances, Don't flirt with the boys (girls) let the boys (girls) flirt with you!" Also included: 4 receipts relating to college; a Soule College Recital program; five photos [four mounted on cardboard, one of Miss Smiths class]; and one Wedding invitation. BACKGROUND NOTES: Soule College was named for Bishop Joshua Soule of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Thomas… Read More