Swanney Thomas (1 results)

Quarto, example of eastern binding late 1890-1900's. Green cloth over paper. Chinese characters in black on front cover translate to: 1901. This appears to be a ledger book that has been used instead as a scrapbook. Each page consist of a sheet approx. 21 inches folded once, printed with vertical red lines with Chinese script on fold. This interesting and varied collection contains clippings, photos and other ephemera from the early 1900's, kept in the pages of a hand-bound Asian ledger book. An ownership inscription reads: Thos. B. Swanney Trip to California, Jan 27, 1901. The book begins as a scrapbook with clippings from famous California sites such as Golden Gate, Cliff House, Seal Rocks, and China Town - all photos from Waters Nickel Series; and clippings from various magazines or postcards. The scrapbook records a sightseeing trip that would seem to begin in San Francisco and proceed through Santa Barbara along the coast by rail to Pasadena and Pikes Peak. Photos of the Mount Tamalpais Railway. Most of the original photos 3 1/3 inch square with people as subjects. Many photos of courting couples, Gibson Girl fashions and hair, buggies, and men in swimming attire at the beach. Of particular interest are photos from St. Augustine Florida, including six cyanotypes; as well as photos at the (now historic) St. Augustine Alligator Farm (founded in 1893) - photos show the courting couple viewing the alligators - as well as Wedding photos that include the only dated caption Feb 14, 1901. Other ephemera include A hand-written poem entitled To The Sea on stationary from the S. S. Majestic; a typed poem dated 1927; dried leaves, and a Customs Notice for Passengers dated 1897.