Search Results: Authors starting with R from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

NAUBUC, CONNECTICUT. Good. 1860. On offer is a super, unique and original 19th Century philatelic relic illustrating the growth of the U.S. postal system being an early U.S.A. postmark collection. This antique, novel book of 70+ pages of postmarks of varying density and ranging from the early 1860s through 1880s over approximately 96 hand numbered pages shows an ownership stamp on the fep stating 'F.R. Curtis, Naubuc, Ct.' The rare collection even includes some precious Confederate marks and many State capitals. As one would expect given the size of some States the relative quantity of marks in the album demonstrate the growth and extent of the US Postal system. For example New York contains 6 pages of postmarks whereas there are only 10 examples for Texas and 2 from the "Montana Territories". The 10 x 8 inch book has marbled boards with wear and peeling, text-block splitting (held by binding string), some leaves loose but otherwise G. ; Manuscript; 4to - over… Read More

CINCINNATI [CINCINATTA] OHIO. Very Good. 1885. On offer is a super, very interesting manuscript relic of 19th Century medical and pharmacological knowledge, treatment and procedure being a 200 page large 12 x 7.5 inch notebook handwritten by G.R. Hill in 1885 while he was a student at the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati. The book is an incredible snapshot of medical science before the age of aspirin, penicillin, and other game changers. We note that in some cases the cures appear worse than the diseases. [There is an examination section at the end where presumably you answered and were then given a medical license. There is also a section on "Civil Malpractice" dated 1885 given by one 'Professor Christian' that goes into the patient being able to recoup monies for remedies gone wrong.] HISTORICAL NOTES: The Institute was part of the 'Eclectic Movement' in medicine focusing on herbal and other curatives to relieve the pain and discomfort of symptoms and at… Read More

MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE. Very Good. 1888. On offer is an interesting, original 19th Century manuscript letter handwritten by W.R. Ellis who writes to Alabama spiritualist and medium Herman Snow (1812-1905). The letter offers a fascinating insight to local, contemporary beliefs. The writer asks for a copy of an address by "Prof A R Wallace" titled "If a man die[s] shall he live again?" He writes: "...most especially do I desire to read what he has to say upon the proof afforded by Spiritualism of a natural immortality...." "I am in a section of our country wedded to old theological dogmas. I see nothing and know nothing of the claims of spiritualism. Can you not 'minister to my needs' by sending me something of his lectures that can enlighten me?" 2pp, 5" x 8". VG cond.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, W.R. ELLIS, HERMAN SNOW, MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, DIFFERENCES IN… Read More

ABOARD THE USS NOA. Very Good. 1952. On offer is a short, but fascinating account of the 1st-class Military ship, a destroyer, the USS Noa. The USS Noa (DD-841) was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for Midshipman Loveman Noa. This diary contains only 15 handwritten pages, yet it still manages to provide a thoroughly interesting and detailed look into a member of the USS Noa. The year the diary was written is not apparent, but but it can reasonably be believed to be 1952. One of the entries states that the writer made calls to Brigadier General E. J. McGaw, Commander of the Iceland Defence Force, which came into being in 1951. Another search revealed another book from a sailor on the USS Noa, which corroborated the places/dates and put it as the year 1952. The entries are incredibly interesting to say the least. The author’s name and position on the ship are unknown. Judging by the content of the book, I believe the author is… Read More

Havana, Cuba, Matanzas: Cuban Slave Trade Emancipated Slaves African Slave Deaths. Good with no dust jacket. Non-Book. On offer is a remarkable archive of four Cuban government manuscript documents related to the deaths of African slaves (or emancipated slaves) in Cuba between 1852 and 1885. Each of the four documents discusses the passing of a different Black man or woman who had been working in Cuba. The first document, dated 1852, reports that the body of a Lucimi [African] slave was found drowned in the reefs. It is signed by Pedro (Ferrea? ) and is stamped by the local municipality. The second document is dated 1853, and reports on the death of Rafaela, a 46-year-old slave from the Macua [African] nation. The note states that Rafaela has not yet received the proper sacrament. It is signed by one Rafael Torres. The third document is dated 1880 and is a longer document of three pages, stamped by the cemetery, indicating that a “black tobacconist” is being buried in the… Read More

HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA, COLBERT, MISSISSIPPI. Good. 1844. On offer is an interesting, three [3] page original manuscript relic of ante bellum Alabama being a handwritten letter signed James Ragsd(ale?), some small portion is torn away at the seal, addressed to John B. Fitts, of Colbert, Mississippi in Lowndes County with a Huntsville Alabama postmark. The letter while somewhat challenging to read provides an interesting peek into the times of in the Deep South in the decade before the Civil War as the content discusses the state of their business dealings together, the business of Doctor Moore, wages, money scarcity, Col. Harston (?) being sick, hurts him to talk and much more. Small amount of loss where seal opened and from ink gall, p. 1. Overall G.; Manuscript; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA, COLBERT, MISSISSIPPI, LOWNDES COUNTY, JAMES RAGSDALE, ANTE BELLUM ALABAMA, PRE CIVIL WAR, SLAVE ERA, DEEP SOUTH, JOHN B. FITTS, DIFFERENCES… Read More

ENGLAND Montreal UK CANADA. Very Good. 1960. On offer is an archive of forty-nine [49] handwritten letters and airgrammes [one typed] written by Ralph C.E. Lord known as 'Lordy' a man who is for the most part a captain in the Royal Canadian Engineers. The letters cover the period of late 1943 through to the end of 1945 and one dated 1946. On the one hand the letters show a joviality especially for his two children Patricia and William but in other communications there is the terrible sadness of a marriage in hell and on the cusp of divorce which in one of the letters near the end deals with precisely that. Ralph seems to be barely keeping things together - he is stoically allowing his wife to claim the divorce is his fault for the sake of appearances with the children even though the opposite appears to be true. Ralph in other letters complained how his wife's inappropriate actions leading to a penalty fine and Ralph's temporary loss of his captaincy. He has covered up for… Read More

LAKE BERRYESSA, NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, CA. Very Good. 1959. On offer is a large archive of Civil Engineering information on the development of Lake Berryessa Recreation Area. In 1953 funds were appropriated by congress for the construction of the Solano project including construction of Monticello Dam on Putah Creek. It was completed in 1957 and lake Berryessa was created. This offer is for an incredible piece of Lake Berryessa and Napa County, California history. In this archive is a treasure trove of information from one of the Civil Engineers who may have worked on or put it together. This man is most probably the one to whom almost all the letters are written to one man, engineer Roy E. Ramseier. The very first letter in the archive is from “Ellis & Clemons, Inc. General Contractors,” and is written to Mr. Ramseier stating that, “If bids are being accepted on the underground work for Berryessa Park Subdivision at Lake Berryessa, Napa County, we would welcome… Read More

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WAVERLY PLACE, NEW YORK CITY, NY. Good. 1845. On offer is a unique and very interesting document in the history of pharmacology. It is the 1845 rules, regulations and bylaws for the New York City Board of Pharmacy. The book appears to belong to a man named ‘Gustavus Ramsperger.” The first page gives the title as the “Rules and Regulations of the Board of Pharmacy of the City and County of New York.” In the 10 pages that follow, the rules and regulations are expounded in eight articles detailing the duties of the executive board and its members, the examinations for potential pharmacologists, and the order of business for the board members to follow going forward. The eight articles are as follows “Art. i - president and his duties; Art. ii - The Secretary and his duties; Art. iii - Meetings of the Board; Art. iv - Sessions for Examinations; Art. v - Conducting the Examinations (includes 7 subjects); Art. vi - Degrees or Marks in Examinations (e.g.… Read More

HOLLAND BELGIUM GERMANY SWITZERLAND FRANCE. Good. 1910. On offer is an interesting original 1910 manuscript travel diary detailing a voyage to Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, & France handwritten by Minerva B. Randall, of New York City. Dated August 2nd through September 10th the reader is presented with a seemingly standard 'Grand Tour' retelling, though this diary is thick with the background history of the sights toured. However there is a fascinating association as the writer is, we believe, the mother of the noted liberal and progressive philosopher John Herman Randall III known as the 'Surveyor of the moral landscape in modern literature', this diary having come directly from his estate. The first few pages are separated from main book and the 3.5" by 6" leather journal is 'rusting' but overall G.; Manuscript; 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, MINERVA B. RANDALL, EUROPEAN GRAND TOUR, JOHN HERMAN… Read More

Enosburg, Vermont. Fair. 1938. Full-Leather. On offer is a charming archive of three [3] diaries - 1938, 1939 and 1953 all handwritten by a woman named Jennie C. Ransom of Enosburg, Vermont. She wrote nearly every day, with the exception of the last week of the year. She mentioned the names of many people in her community. In the back of her diary she kept a ledger of her salary income and her expenses/purchases. Jennie lived with her mother (Ethel M. Stevens) and refers to her as "M" in her entries. She had an adult son, George (33 yrs old in 1953) who came to their home often. And, Jennie and her mother still washed and ironed his clothes for him. Jennie seems to have suffered from depression, often writing that she felt blue, very tired, and 'mean.' But, she seems to have kept herself busy - she worked at a clothing store and did the cooking, cleaning, and gardening when she got home from work. When she did have some free time she went blackberrying, picked currants,… Read More

France. Very Good with no dust jacket. 1939. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating General Order from the French government regarding British troops on French soil in the very early days of WWII. The document was issued on October 31st 1939 by the Mission Francaise de Liason (French Liaison Mission) and marked Etat-Major (Condition Important). This is 58 days after France declared war with Germany and 52 days after the first British soldiers began arriving in France. It bears the typed signature of General Raoul Voruz, Head of the French Military Mission to the British Expeditionary Force. Les General Routine Ordre ... Rappelllent ainsi qu'ii suit les regles a appliquer par les troopes britanniques venant occuper un cantonnement; ... [p 1] [Translation: The General Routine Order ... Reminding that the following rules apply to the British troops coming to occupy a community; ... [p 1]] This Order addresses several issues such as Officers choosing their own accommodations without going… Read More

PARIS FAUBOURG ST. GERMAIN RENNES FRANCE, 1775. On offer is a superb pre French Revolution archive of five [5] handwritten letters authored by M. Rapatel, Royal Professor of Surgery of Renneole, Bretagne writing the aged widow of the famed surgeon Augustin Belloste. [The Centre d’Histoire du Droit de l’Université Rennes 1 has much information regarding the doctor.] Madam Belloste has received the letters as M. Rapatel tries to correct an order for pills that he made from Belloste, discuss methods of packaging the pills, new uses, changes in size, dosage and costs etc., etc. are discussed. Madam Belloste has made copious notes on the letters as to her answers and responses. The dates of the correspondence ranges from October 1775 through to October 1776. The letters are very fresh and collectors or historians of the medical establishment of France will be delight to see the preservation of some of the wax seals. VG+. . Autograph. Very Good+. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

FLORENCE MASSACHUSETTS MA MASS, 1891. On offer is a handwritten autograph letter w/cover signed George H. Ray, Treasurer of the Nonotuck Silk Co., Florence, Massachusetts writing to his wife August 11, 1891 who is staying at Rev. Eastwood's in Pawtucket, RI, that he and the children are delighted that she is coming home on Thursday. It's very hot at the plant [88 degrees F.] Research finds Ray continued as treasurer until his death on Nov. 30, 1903. 2 pp. 21 x 28 cm. Overall G+. . Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Manuscript.

NEW DELHI INDIA INDIA-BURMA THEATER. Good. 1945. On offer is an original, modest archive of ephemera [15 pieces] including a manuscript diary and notebook travel log of an American SOS Officer [Services of Supply] serving in 1945 in the critical India-Burma Theater. Belonging to and handwritten by Lt. Ray Vekroff the first writings are on a yellow, legal pad type paper, 27 hand numbered pages torn from the main pad block and folded, wherein Ray retrospectively details his background and service. Originally, he states, that he was a civilian in China and then in China and India for 35 months in the Army. But at the end he explains his desire to return States-side for re-assignment. The second book, a flip style notepad, begins March 21 1945 at the SOS Headquarters in New Delhi and 10 pages of entries detailing an amazing near circumnavigation voyage with a Trans-America trip twice to boot! aboard a ship, steam freighter Cambay. We follow him to Trincomalee Sri Lanka, Port Said, Gibraltar… Read More

LONDON PARIS. Good. 1914. Leather. On offer is an original manuscript World War I diary handwritten by Hazel and 'Remy' Raymenton, travelers with a front row seat to observe the outbreak of World War I in both England and France. Also unique: the diary is a combined effort with Hazel and Remy providing observations and insights offering a sensational perspective from the two individuals. Collectors and historians of the era will be hard pressed to find a more impressive telling of the outbreak of war as they are in Britain as tensions rise and then they find themselves in Paris as the Germans invade France. [We list separately a 1916 diary wherein the pair find themselves on a ship to the Philippines targeted by the Germans.] All the while they are doing the 'Grand Tour' - we read comments of the past history peppered with the details of the present troubles as they begin. Germans in Paris and their immediate troubles are detailed and the specific impressions of the French… Read More

Arctic, Europe, North Africa: Round-The-World Society. Very Good. 1925. Full-Leather. On offer is an amazing vintage book of letters from 1925 to 1926. One of only a handful still in circulation, "Letters from a Globetrotter" is a travelogue in the form of a series of subscription letters written by Elmer D. Raymond, founder and president of the Round-the-World Society. Included in the book are approximately 150 pages describing Raymond's voyages, photo plates, a fold-out map of the world, and approximately 140 real stamps, all with postmarks dated 1925 and 1926. The return address of the letters is the Round-The-World Society in New York, NY. There are more than 45 letters contained within this book, each addressed to Mrs. Harriet H. Hale of New Haven, Connecticut. The letters include stamps with postmarks and cancels on the front (some letters with one stamp, and some with up to five or ten) , and about three pages of typed text inside. Every letter is titled, eg, "ON… Read More

YARMOUTH NOVA SCOTIA NS CANADA. Good. 1865. On offer is an original handwritten autograph and memory book approximately one-third full of penned and signed poetry etc. Embossed, gilt-stamped "The Sunbeam" was presented by Father to Emily A. Raymond. For the most part the entries are dated circa 1860's in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with some from New Brunswick. Illustrated with a number of engravings in this lovely period book. Title page is torn and loss of lower fifth of page, otherwise good.; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina,… Read More

Morocco, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Greece: Round-The-World Society. Very Good. 1926. Hardcover. On offer is a wonderfully preserved book of vintage stamped letters from 1925 and 1926. One of only a handful still in circulation, "Letters from a Globetrotter" is a travelogue in the form of a series of subscription letters written by Elmer D. Raymond, founder and president of the Round-the-World Society. This particular collection’s title page has "Volume Two" printed on it. Included in the book are close to 30 typewritten, mimeographed letters, over 65 real stamps with postmarks and cancels, and three black and white photo plates. There is also a fold-out map of the world, and a black sketch with blue background drawn by the author. Each letter in this collection is numbered with a roman numeral (LIII being the first) , and addressed to Mrs. Geo W Acker of Port Gibson, Mississippi. The return address of the letters is the Round-The-World Society in New York, NY. The… Read More

KENYA AFRICA AFRIQUE. Good. 1950. On offer is an original "Autograph East African Diary for 1950" - a large desk diary, 20 x 25 cm (7.5 x 10 inches) for the year 1950, with the name and address on front paste-down of R. W. Rayner, Box 4, Ruiru, Kenya. R. W. Rayner was an oft-noted botanist and biologist and later published in the field of mycology and natural history. This is a week-at-glance diary has hand written entries dealing with the owner's professional activities and the odd personal notes some social activities and rambles, and nature field-trips. Entries begin in March and continue through December. VG.; Manuscript; 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall; HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, DIARY, DIARIES, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF,… Read More