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

MOBILE ALABAMA AL, 1843. On offer is an interesting, original manuscript relic of North-South trade being an 1843 handwritten letter dated Mobile Alabama as field representative A.C. Mathewson writes his head office of jewellers Mathewson Allen and Co. of Rhode Island. Addresses to the company his correspondent was likely his relation Nathan Fuller Mathewson, [born: 7 Sep 1814, Warren RI, Marriage: Susan Green Wightman about 1840 in Providence RI, Died: 27 May 1901, Jeweler and partner from circa 1835 to 1848 with Bradford Allen in Providence RI as MATHEWSON & ALLEN, listed in the 1836 city directory with a shop on the corner of Pine and Rhodes Streets] regarding the state of his gold and silver trade dealings. He reports he has had almost no business in Mobile but frequently mentions he expects better in New Orleans. He also notes business dealings between Rhode Island, New York and Charleston South Carolina too. Some small loss from opening at the seal and a mouse has done some nibbling. Overall… Read More

FINGAL ONTARIO PATRICIA BAY PORT HARDY KELOWNA BC. Very Good. 1944. On offer is a super, historical manuscript pair [2] of diaries handwritten by A.C. Parker #8 BR Squadron RCAF originally of Toronto. Parker does a super job detailing his service beginning January 1st, 1944 with being trained and educated in the art of aerial warfare putting in hours and hours of flight time and on gunnery firing many 100s of rounds near daily in practice at Fingal Ontario. Flying over Lake Erie is a freezing cold experience he notes without complaining. Prior to posting to British Columbia he manages a visit to family and friends in Toronto for dancing at the Granite Club a bit of a distance from his home on Royal York Road. There is also a dance at Women's College Hospital. In all 1944 is completely full describing daily his training and duties: rifle and revolver sighting, time in the turrets, flights, Morse Code training and tests, camera gun exercise, boxing with a PTI Sergeant, his trip to… Read More

SOMMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS. Good+. 1876. On offer are a group of three [3] original, detailed manuscript diaries handwritten by the City Engineer of what was known as the Chicago of New England. The diaries were written in 1876, 1878 and 1880. In 1876, George Kimball was the City Engineer of the city of Somerville, MA. Just north of Boston, Somerville was the scene of significant events in the Revolutionary War. Now, it was going through a rapid industrialization that would see its population mushroom from 15,000 to 90,000. The meatpacking industry was so large that Somerville was dubbed 'The Chicago of New England'. Brick-making was the second largest industry. All of this growth put significant strains on the city's infrastructure and Kimball played a very important role in seeing projects advance. He works tirelessly and his diary reflects the many meetings he attended or participated in: At stable at 7. Then to Cutter St. CB City Hall at 8AM Located drinking fountain at… Read More

ULM GERMANY. Very Good. 1861. On offer is a superb relic of mid-19th Century militaria and German artillery and gunnery skills and technique being a manuscript book titled 'Portie-Tafeln nebst Ertäuterungen für sämmtliche Geschütze der Bundesfestung Ulm'. The 85 page handwritten book is a technically detailed manual with many tables, charts, graphs with explanations of the guns at the Federal fortress at Ulm in a beautiful calligraphic hand in German. Dated 1861 and with the name of 'A Gulhner' inscribed on the front page, one finds part of the Appendix (pages 75-85) which relates to gunnery at Berlin. A few blank leaves at the end, bound in the original grey-brown cloth, the ink slightly browned but very clean and sound (160 by 110mm). Some of the contents and guns detailed include: 24lb short cannon (kurze kanon); 18lb battery cannon (batterie kanon); 12lb battery cannon; 6lb battery cannon; 12lb field cannon (feld kanon); 6lb field cannon; 25lb long… Read More

ASEA ABOARD THE S.S. CHINA. Good. 1909. On offer is a sensational, original manuscript travel diary, providing a very detailed description of an eventful round-the-world cruise taken in 1909 hand written by a California man with a keen eye for observation and a gift for description. The 7 x 4 inch book has 200 pages or so and is a little more than half filled and commences June 14 to September 7th ending abruptly upon leaving Naples. The author, H.A. Sommer and his wife [Milly] left their home in Los Angeles and travelled by train to San Francisco where they spend some time touring. He comments on the ruins of City Hall and the Courthouse and the destruction caused by the great earthquake of 1906. 'We also viewed the Ruins of the City Hall and Courthouse from the last great Earthquake a horrible sight. Form this we can obtain a slight Idea of what the terrible destruction must have been.' [June 14] They then board the Steam Ship China for their journey to Asia. Their first major… Read More

ELMIRA WILLIAMSPORT LUZERNE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA. Fair. 1862. On offer is an original rather enigmatic and very intriguing 1862 manuscript diary handwritten by A. K. Jacobs a 22 year old man [he is 23 years old on December 23rd] who at the beginning of the diary was a teacher at Eckley School and going to White Haven in Luzerne County. Soon he tires of teaching, a Mr. Tarbox takes over, and Mr. Jacobs heads to Philadelphia, then to Harrisburg, Williamsport, Elmira and finally ends up on the shores of Lake Erie where starts an engineering/surveying job [research finds a civil engineer, A. K. Jacobs, in the 1880 census, living in Lock Haven Pennsylvania, born in 1840 and married to a Mary and no doubt the same author of this book]. Historians and researchers of the era and the region will find a number of intrigues. In one case he seems to be caught up in some kind of scandal or legal troubles. He writes: "August 9th, Received a letter from L. Hyndman. Heard what the people at Eckley… Read More

St. Pierre L'Ebeaques [St. Pierre les Beckets] Que, 1771. On offer is an original November 7th 1771 handwritten manuscript document from St. Pierre L'Ebeaques [St. Pierre les Beckets] Quebec [Lower Canada] "Inventaire de la Commonauté des biens qui etat entre pour Genevieve Brisson and Joseph Mailliot" being an early Bas Quebec marital communion of assets where we can find many great descriptions of furniture and house objects plus commentary. Research suggests that the author was most certainly a Jesuit priest acting as justice of the peace. Some old damp-staining in two spots and some separation at the folds but otherwise in fair condition.. Autograph. Fair. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.

Austria Germany: Royal Artillery, Britain, Austria. Very Good. N.D.. Full-Leather. On offer is a very interesting pocket notebook carried by a British Army officer during WWII. The author of this notebook is Major H. A. Hansen. Hansen served in the Royal Artillery during WWII. Following the war, Hansen was part of the British contingent serving on the Allied Commission for Austria which assumed control over Austria following the defeat of Germany in 1945. Specifically, Hansen served in the Economic Division. Although our informal research has not been able to discover any additional biographical information, there is an apparent home address from Liverpool, UK. This is a fascinating notebook. It is his jottings of information that he felt was important to note as he carried out his duties in Austria after the fall of Hitler's Germany. One long section deals with an overview of the country itself and major economic sectors. For example: "Clothing : 1938 a self-supporting i. E.… Read More

SAN DIEGO LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA CA PANAMA CANAL. Good. 1919. On offer is a journal and diary of A. N. Nelson, a crew member on the U.S.S. Birmingham, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet’s Destroyer Squadron shortly after the end of World War 1. The diary is entitled above the first entry, “Cruise of U.S.S. Birmingham with Pacific Fleet on West Coast.” This is an accurate description of what takes place in the book. From July 17, 1919 to November 22, 1920, Nelson recounts the passage of the Birmingham as it leaves the Boston Navy Yard, goes through the Panama Canal, and then anchors in San Diego to serve as Flagship of the Pacific Fleet’s Destroyer Squadron. The whole book is written in one long, continuous paragraph. There are no stops or paragraph breaks. For the most part, the book is a matter-of-fact retelling of dates, positions, and activities of the Birmingham. There are also small breaks where Nelson recounts what he sees on board the ship as well as his days of… Read More

On offer is a 1952 diary that belonged to A.P. Chapman, an architect in England. This very unique journal was designed specifically for architects and builders in the UK. It contains an extensive reference section with notes regarding various materials such as concrete and brick, the tensile strength of steel, calculations, and much more. There is also a detailed cash record kept for the year. Casual research has not found any biographical information about Chapman, but references to some of his work projects suggest that he lived and worked in London. His wife's name was Peg (Margaret) and they had a daughter named Ellen. He notes some of the major events that took place during the year: "To work in reasonable time. Was meeting over with Arthur all morning. Johnny Powell came in to tell us a rumour that the King had died and was shortly afterwards it was confirmed. This didn't stop Arthur and I from going swimming. The water was a bit cold ... Popped over to Arthur's in the… Read More

BERNARDSVILLE NEW JERSEY NJ. Good+. 1974. On offer is an original manuscript by A. Ponds Orlando, personally inscribed to Erwin Richardt [noted anti government activist] in pencil - 'To Erwin, from Ponds'. In 1931 A. Ponds Orlando was an eyewitness to the Charles Cavanaugh murder on Sept 8, 1931, and this work recounts those events in detail, including how the state police chose an innocent scapegoat to pin the crime on, used third-degree tactics to force a false 'confession', fabricated false evidence, paid 'witnesses' to lie on the stand during the trial, hide and destroy actual and true evidence found at the crime scene, and disregarded the testimony of true witnesses. The scapegoat, Edward Kettering, was found guilty, sentenced to 20 years in prison, and died in jail. [Both men were lifelong crusaders for justice and right, as well as residents of the Bernardsville, New Jersey area and this book having come from the Irwin Richardt Estate, Sons of Liberty… Read More

London, England. Good+ with no dust jacket. Softcover. On offer is a remarkable collection of 27 diaries detailing over a quarter of a century of life in London between 1928 and 1962, and membership in an old and respected fraternal order. This is an outstanding collection of personal diaries that covers an extended period of time – from 1928 through 1962. The collection contains 27 diaries. Some years are missing, but by and large, this covers the period from post WW1 through the Great Depression, WW2 and the reconstruction of the United Kingdom following the war and the beginnings of the enormous social changes ushered in in the 1960’s. The entries are brief – often only a word or phrase. The diaries also include continuous references to one of Britain’s oldest mutual aid societies, now a very successful international financial firm. The diaries belong to R. A Thomson. Thomson lived in London, United Kingdom. We know he was married to E. M. Thomson and together they… Read More

FORT SANDERS KNOXVILLE TN TENNESSEE, 1906. On offer is a letter from a Mr. A.R. Shouse to a Mr. Lawrence Mossby, concerning the hiring of of Mr. Shouse to charter and pilot a ship to haul cargo for Mr. Mossby. The letter is written from Fort Sanders (spelled ‘Saunders’), in Tennessee, and was written in 1906. The ship appears to be hauling cargo to Port-aux-Basque in Newfoundland. Mr. Shouse answers a number of questions posed by Mr. Mossby in his last letter, giving 9 answers to his questions. It seems Mr. Shouse is a ship captain, being recruited by Mr. Mossby to pilot a ship that he has chartered. “Your letter of March 6th which I told you of my last (?) I now endeavour to answer in detail...I have answered the recent and will be wary of most on the 15th of June. Answer 2. The price is (?) $200. Could not do better. Answer 3. According to the account I have heard she is comfortable, roomy and clean.” The letter proceeds in this form, seeming to disagree with the price Mr.… Read More

BROOKLINE MASSACHUSETTS, 1859. On offer is a fascinating, original manuscript relic of mid 19th Century meteorological occurrence of note being a handwritten eyewitness account of what the Harvard College Observatory, Annals, Vol. 19 described as a "Parhelia of the usual form, but of remarkable brilliance." The account which includes a pen and ink drawing signed A.S. describes the observation which occurred in Brookline Massachusetts on April 2, 1859. The notes in part: "About one fifth of the distance between the first circle and the Zenith was a faint hole with the sun in its centre without its points..." "Dr Kane speaks of seeing it on several occasions in the Arctic regions, and was apparently greatly impressed with its beauty." Stated "For the Transcript". 2 pages, 5" x 7.75". Tear left side, else VG. Pen and ink drawing, 7" x 8.5". Some ink smudging, else VG. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Manuscript.

ALBANY NEW YORK. Good. 1923. On offer is an interesting group of four [4] diaries of a car salesman in his senior years and very soon before his demise in the years immediately prior to the Great Depression being 1923 through 1926. The author is Vedder A. Peters who lives in Albany New York. He is married to Kit and in 1926 he mentions a son. There is a burial record of Vedder A Peters in Albany NY showing date of death as 1927 at 64 years of age. This being so, the diaries written when he is in his 60s make for interesting reading given the reader's knowledge that Vedder has only a few years to live. The diaries' entries revolve around either his car - a 1923 Buick Touring Sedan of which he appears very proud or his activities as a salesman and investor. '... Ran Buick to service station 11:30 AM for quick inspection [Jan 2nd, 1923] ... This was first time out with Buick. She ran true [Apr 1st, 1923] He notes planning an advertising campaign [Jan 14th, 1923] and begins to put… Read More

Plymouth Massachusetts MASS MA. Good+. 1849. On offer is a super, original 1849 - 1860 financial and investment diary and ship owner's ledger handwritten by A.W. Kennedy one of many share owners and likely the 'Chief Operating Officer' in two stated ships; The "M.R.Ludwig" and the "Brig Darien". The many intimate details of the investors, costs related to ship building, supplies etc., are finely detailed and within the 136 pages a wealth of mid 19th century marine commerce is revealed. There are a few pieces of ephemera tucked in, one as early as 1821. The 13½ x 8½ inch folio sized book features a typed slip stating 'Plymouth Mass. Ship Log' pasted to the spine.; Manuscript; Folio - over 12" - 15" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, A.W. KENNEDY, PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS, MARINE, MARITIME, TRADE, COMMERCE, M.R. LUDWIG, BRIG DARIEN, 19TH CENTURY, SHIPS, OCEAN GOING, AGE OF SAIL, SHIP BUILDING, SHIP COSTS, ECONOMICS OF SHIP OWNERSHIP,… Read More

MONTREAL QUEBEC TORONTO HAMILTON ONTARIO. Good. 1867. On offer is a manuscript travel journal of a sea voyage from Plymouth England to Quebec and an overland tour to Toronto and Hamilton made in the month following the Confederation authored by an Englishman identified by his own inscription as A. W. Row. It gives a fabulous opportunity to see Canada through the eyes of an early traveller. He travelled by boat, rail and horse-car, comparing the sights to England and expressing especial liking towards Hamilton, Ontario. On July 11, 1867 he boarded a brig named "Eliza", commanded by Captain Barrett: "Arrived on board the Eliza at noon, got on first rate, eat, drank, and slept well", but due to weather conditions they were not able to get to sea until July 15: "Started at 4 a.m., enjoying myself jolly, leaving the Princess Royal and Countess all astern, about 9 or 10 miles off the Lizard". In his voyage account he mentions seeing a whale, and catching cod and a… Read More

FORT CROWDER, MISSOURI - WINNIPEG, CANADA. Good. 1945. On offer is an excellent collection of letters written by a U.S. soldier in WWII to his parents. The collection contains 84 letters. They are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. Arno Edgar Wallace Maurer was 23 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. army. Entering as a Private, he finished the war as a Staff Sergeant. Born in 1921 in Winnipeg, Canada, he lived until 2015, passing away at the age of 94. After the war he received B.A. and M.A. from the University of Manitoba and PhD from the University of Wisconsin, and was teaching English literature at the Ohio State University for over 50 years specializing in the 18th century literature. He published extensively on John Dryden, and was one of the editors of The Works of John Dryden published in 1989. The letters were written to his parents. His father, Carl Dietrich Wallace, was an American pastor who had been appointed to a Canadian church congregation in Winnipeg,… Read More

FORT SMITH FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS UTAH. Fair. 1885. On offer is a significant, original manuscript journal circa 1880 - 1890s through 1900s compiled and created by 'Wm. A. Falconer Fort Smith and Fayetteville Ark.' Research concludes this is the work of Judge William A. Falconer who was born in Charleston, Arkansas in 1869. There he received his early education, then studied law at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, then practiced law in Fort Smith, Arkansas beginning in 1895. In 1902 he became a Sebastian County Judge. The book which appears to be a near lifelong effort deals with a notorious crime whose roots were in Arkansas only to turn to infamy sometime later in Utah being the Mountain Meadows Massacre [the worst mass shooting in US history] and the Mormons who led the innocents to a heinous mass execution of early pioneers including women and children. Mr. Falconer without the aid of modern media over 120 years ago spent his efforts on compiling nearly everything… Read More

On The Road America USA. Good+ with no dust jacket. 1908. Hardcover. On offer is a really wonderful diary of a young Victorian woman during the year of 1908 as she travels aboard a train from the West to the East coast and then back to the West coast again. As the diary starts out she is leaving her home in California on January 7th and spends most of 1908 traveling with her three sisters and parents. In fact Jo does most of the writing but there are also many times when her sisters write. Jo gets sick at one point then the sisters take over writing and they talk about family being sick and some are quarantined. Her entries are descriptively written telling all about the sights and sounds along the way. In fact the first two entries really capture what this journal is all about. On the cover page is written; "Best wishes always to Jo from Marie, A line or two will quite suffice for the every day of life. Jot down things of interest while you think of it, lest you should forget."… Read More