Hand-written journals and misc. original documents

Hand-written pre-WW2 journals/archive Col. Grosvenor F. Powell, West Point, Legion of Merit, Philippines etc.

Two volumes of hand-written, pre-World War 2 journals. Grosvenor F. Powell, 1931-1941, including Powell's time at bases in the Philippines, Guam, California, Panama, Texas, and New York. Vol. 1 is 10 1/4" x 8"; vol. 2 is 10" x 8". Approx. 200 total pages + loose materials.

Rare and extensive hand-written journals and archive of notable Army historical figure. Suitable as military memorabilia, bespoke gift for a collector, or investment.

Condition is excellent (see photos). Light wear to exterior covers and edges, but interior pages are bright and clean. We see two slightly torn pages (e.g., p. 51 of vol. 1). Rare condition for documents of this age.

Journals are hand-written on both sides of pages in elegant and highly legible handwriting and script. Extensive accounts of Powell's time at Fort Mills and in the Philippines. First entry dates to Nov. 19, 1931; last is March 16, 1941. Extensive personal and military recollections of Powell's postings, starting as a West Point Cadet, then Lieutenant at Fort Mills in the Philippines, later at Fort Baker in California, traversing the Panama Canal, and elsewhere. Volume 1 is full but for a few blank page sides; volume 2 is ~70% full, with blank pages from p. 70-78 and 91 to the end.

Couple of excerpts:

(Feb. 4) "Sailed on U.S. Grant. Mrs. Margaret Nagle at deck with candy and flowers... (Feb. 5) Rough sea, lots of sick, me included, but not Florence. (Feb. 10) Pulled into into Honolulu ... and took street-car in to Waikiki Beach. Nothing much there... Lobby of 'Royal Hawaiian.' Some place; doggiest I've ever seen."

(Mar. 13) "Have been plenty busy since arriving here at Corregidor ..."

(Apr. 18) "All went to Fort Wint on Grande Island in Subic Bay on the H.B. Hyde. Gen. Kilbourne dominated the expedition. We went to Alongapoe. The Navy Sub base where they had six subs of the 3-51 class in dry dock..."

Included is an Army photograph of Powell dated 1959, at the time a Colonel and Deputy Commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

According to our research, Powell went on to be a two-time recipient of the Presidential Legion of Merit "awarded for action during the Cold War" for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States."

Loose materials include clippings and other items:

• Fort Mills Daily Bulletin, 4/2/1932
• Many business cards
• Invitation from the Governor General Philippines
• Fort Mills Daily Bulletin, 12/9/1933
• Receipt (cigars?)
• Fort Mills Daily Bulletin, 2/17/1934
• Memo 3/21/1934
• Birthday card
• Memo: Court Martial of Pvt. Gilbert E. Thompson
• Telegram re: car
• Others

We will ship USPS Priority Mail. For international shipping, please contact us for a quote. We proudly ship in reused Amazon boxes whenever possible. If you have any questions about this or any of our items, feel free to contact us and/or request additional photos.

Who are we: This is another listings from "Nana's Top Shelf," a collection of first editions and other fine volumes collected over a lifetime from estate sales and booksellers across the East Coast and Europe. The collection specializes in late 19th and early 20th century illustrated children's books, fairy tales and folklore.