Memory Album with Handwritten Poems to Female Student in Michigan, 1888-1892 During the first major movement of women's education in the United States

Women Education, Handwritten

Handwritten Journal

[Girls’ Education] [Handwritten] Memory album with 18 handwritten entries from friends and classmates of Female Student in Bear Lake, MI. 1888-1892. 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. Decorative cover with color portrait of a girl holding a letter and gilt title “Autographs.” 5 x 8 inches. 80 pages. Original 6 x 4” black and white photograph portrait of original album owner pasted to inside front cover. “Edith LaRue” handwritten in blue ink along bottom edge. Color illustrations pasted in throughout. Loose portrait photo of a young man. Memory albums held autographs, sentiments, and reminiscences of friends and schoolmates, similar to yearbooks today. Young women, particularly those finishing their time at a female academy and preparing to leave their school friends, tended to be the ones to create friendship albums. 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. “Your album is a garden spot, Where all your friends may sow. So I will plant for get me not, And see if it will grow.” Entries include several from “Your schoolmate and friend” or the like.  Several decorative cutouts pasted in throughout the album, of hands, books, letters, birds, bouquets, and the American flag. Only last few pages are attached to binding. Dampstaining to top right corner of pages towards middle to the back. In good to very good condition.

Item #17016

Price: $485.00