Author: MYRA L. JORDAN
Title: 1929 Handwritten Diary of an Elderly, Depression-Era Woman of Some Means Living in Poughkeepsie, Ny
Description: Poughkeepsie, New York, Hudson River Valley: Poughkeepsie, NY, Luckey Platt & Co, 1929. Hardcover. On offer is a fine diary of a woman living in the Hudson River Valley during the Great Depression. The author of this diary is not explicitly stated. However, there are a number of contextual clues that suggest the writer is Myra L Jordan. Jordan was born on Aug 22, 1866. She was the second wife of William Burnap Jordan. They lived in Pine Plains, NY, located in the Hudson River valley, south of Albany, NY. She passed away in 1953 at the age of 87. She is 63 when she writes this diary. Her diary is very personal, focused intensely on here immediate family and friends. She hardly ever comments on events outside of her direct experience and the wider effects of the Depression do not seem to have had an impact on her life. Some excerpts: "Men here to shingle east side. Reynolds to clean up garden. Ordered furnace coal. Wrote Mr. Tuttle who has had and op & is very ill. Jordan back for dinner. [ ] & Bill called. Paul for supper & cards." [Mar 25]; "Pulvers took me to Frank Chases's funeral - very large. Girl Scouts - 26 with Miss Grafe & Mrs. McGregor came on a hike & I told them stories of the old house. Iky had teo clinics in Clinton." [June 11]; "Dad better but in bed until aft. Vic's folks called in a. M. Jordan and Sisty down in the new car. Got ice cream for supper and staid for our evening illumination. Can't get over the wonder of electric lights." [Sept 1]; "Went with Jordan & Iky to Kips for 6: 30 dinner with Miss Carter & her friend & the Russian Symphony Choir concert at High School - was lovely ..." [Dec 3]. It is interesting to note that the diary itself was published by Luckey, Platt & Co, a major retail store in Poughkeepsie NY. The store was a fixture in the region for over 130 years. The book itself carries a variety of articles and information pieces on topics such as dieting, plating bridge, vitamins, etc. For a social historian, especially one focused on life during the Depression, this diary offers an interesting perspective. It certainly helps fill in some aspects of what life was like during this time of great upheaval in the United States. Measuring 5 inches by 7 inches, this hard-cover diary contains 183 pages and is approximately 90% complete. The cover is in good condition, as is the binding. The pages are also in good condition and the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 183 pages. Very Good with no dust jacket .

Keywords: 1920s Gender History Women's Studies Letter Autograph Hand Written Documents Signed Letters Historical Holograph Writers Autographs Memoir Memorial Antiquité Contrat Vélin Document Manuscrit Americana 20th Century Manuscript . Benjamin Katz Books &