A Book a Day, week 18

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTY

"Selected Studies" by Imelda Octavia Shanklin, 1926.

This book was published by the Unity School of Christianity from the writings of Shanklin.

My grandmother's name and address is written inside the front cover, and on the next page is penciled: "Key to own progress in Life = mental attitude".

Also, "I will arise and shine, for my Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord shines upon me."

Between pages 56 and 57 is a folded up brown piece of paper that has "The Torch" written on one side, with what seems to be a passage from a larger work, or perhaps just a stand-alone quote, by Albion Fellows Bacon. On the other side is typed attempt at a portion of the intro to the quote: "Make me to be a torch for feet that grope. Make me to a torch for feet that grope. Down Truth's dim trail; to bear for wistful eyes."

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYONE

"Northrup's Religion and Business" by Theodore G. Northrup, 1917 - this fifth edition, 1925.

Under the copyright page, it reads: "Additional copies may be obtained from THEODORE G. NORTHRUP MOVEMENT, Inc. Hotel Breslin, Broadway at 29th Street, New York City"

This fellow had his own movement, apparently, although I can find no information on it, nor him, online. The Breslin Hotel is still alive and well, though. Wait...he was operating out of the hotel? I'm not sure if that makes Northrup more creditable or less...

The dedication reads: "I dedicate this book to ALL HUMANITY, pointing the way out of fear - worry - sorrow - trouble - poverty, and all unsatisfactory conditions."

Near the back of the book is a page that lists a few people as sponsors of the Northrup Movement. All ten of them have a solid stamp inked over them, perhaps in an attempt to block them out. Diagonally, in the nearest available blank space on the page is another stamp that reads: "Sponsor Committee's term has expired"

My great-grandmother wrote her name inside the front cover, and a small handful of lines are underlined in the book.

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYTWO

"The High Mountain" by Pensatia, 1965.

A few paperclip bookmarks immediately give this book away as my grandmother's. Also, her address label is inside the front cover. Attached to the first two pages with a paperclip is seven tall and thin sheets of paper titled "Things I Gotta Do TODAY!", courtesy of Greg Sorah, a realtor in La Habra, CA.

The papers are filled out with notes from the book in my grandmother's scrawl - I really can't make out more than a few words per page. On the first page, it is noted that this was a gift from "L. Hoeppner" at some time, but if it was to my grandmother, I cannot say.


BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYTHREE

"Blix" by Frank Norris, 1899.

Frank Norris was an American novelist.

He studied painting at Académie Julian in Paris, and then returned to the west coast and went to UC Berkeley.

Also an originator of the Skull & Keys society, an annual pig dinner in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity is named after him due to his involvement in the school prank that led to the first pig dinner in 1893. He was a news correspondent in South Africa after college, and a war correspondent in Cuba during the Spanish-American war a few years later, in 1898.

In 1902, he died of peritonitis at age 32, two years after marrying and one year after the birth of his child.

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYFOUR

"The Gunmaker of Moscow" by Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., publishing date unknown.

The older brother of the Boston painter, Darius Cobb, Sylvanus wrote popular fiction during the mid-19th century, but was known more for quantity than quality, having written some 120 novels and 800 short stories.

He also wrote under many pseudonyms, including:
-Austin Burdick
-Charles Castleton
-Col. Walter B. Dunlap
-Enoch Fitzwhistler
-Dr. J.H. Robinson
-Dr. S. LeCompton Smith
-Symus, the Pilgrim
-Amos Winslow, Jr.

I'm particularly fond of his use of "doctor" and "colonel" in those names, although "Enoch Fitzwhistler" clearly takes the cake. I almost wish I had come across it while naming characters for the "Lord Winbigler's Folly" project. But it's really TOO good, honestly...

My great-grandmother's name is inside the front cover.

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYFIVE

"The History of England - Volume V" by Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, edited by his sister, Lady Trevelyan, 1861.

On the first page is written: "Henry Garver, Des Moines, Iowa, May 22nd, 1876." My great-great-grandfather would have been 17 years old then.This is some heavy reading for anyone, let alone a 17-year-old boy.

I think this is the 4th oldest book in the lot now.

BOOK ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYSIX

"The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack" by Thornton W. Burgess, 1917 - this publishing, 1922.

One of many in the Peter Rabbit series, this one starts with Peter meeting Mrs. Quack, explaining the importance of meeting new people:

"Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan."

Also: "It means more knowledge. You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open. Every one is at least a little different from every one else, and the more people you know, the more you may learn."

The front page, in scribble pencil, reads: "Bob Riddle to Garver" It looks like a child wrote it, but the name Riddle is unfamiliar to me and which Garver is referred to here is also unknown.