1958-59 Cold War-Era American Railroad Engineer Handwritten Diary Detailing Successful Post-War USA, While Reflecting on Global Events like the Berlin Crisis

On offer is an interesting America diary dating from the dark days of the Cold War. The author of this 5-year diary is unknown. It was given to him in 1931 by a woman named Annie Lee - surname unknown. The interesting thing is that although it was given in 1931, it was not used until 1958 and 1959. By that time, from context, it is clear that 'Annie Lee' is now the author's wife. From context, we can also determine that the is married man was living in Augusta, Georgia, with his family, and worked for the CWC Railroad as a switch engineer. The diary gives a good look at the day-to-day life of a working man in the post-war southern United States. He and his family are doing well in the booming post-war economy of the United States. Some excerpts: "We went over to Edgefield SC looking and getting some prices on a station wagon. The Ford prices at Yonce Motor Co straight sale #2350 with trade in on the chev $1,925 diff. Same day the chev co didn't give us a very good brake." [Jan 12]; "Sears Robuck & co open. There new store this morning at 8: 30 AM at Walton Way and 15 St with a bank. We visited the store had some crowds you could hardly move for the people..." [Feb 18]. He is certainly aware of outside events taking place. In several places, he notes the crisis brewing with the Soviet Union over the status of Berlin: "The war clouds are drifting low over Berlin Germany these days." [Feb - Memo page]: This refers to the Berlin Crisis. As living standards in communist-controlled East Germany plummeted, refugees by the thousands poured into West Berlin and onward to West Germany, Khrushchev demanded that the United States, Britain and France withdraw from Berlin. The Crisis culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall. Other notable local events were captured by the author: "... The golf masters had their parade on Broad Street" [Mar 31]; "Bought Ford car Sand Bar Ferry Bridge open for traffic for first time plowed out garden" [Apr 29]. For a social historian, this diary, in its simplicity, paints a good picture of post-war life in the urban south through the eyes of a working man. This diary measures 4.0 inches by 5.5 inches and contains 365 pages. It is about 50% complete. The cover is a light brown, pebbled leather that has sustained damage. The front cover has pulled loose from the spine. There was a closure strap and clasp but that is now missing. The spine has cracked. The pages are in fair condition, showing some staining from use and wear. All are accounted for. The handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 32mo 4" - 5" tall; 365 pages; Keywords: handwritten, manuscript, document, letter, autograph, writer, hand written, documents, signed, letters, manuscripts, historical, holograph, writers, autographs, personal, memoir, memorial, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier antike, brief, pergament, dokument, manuskript, papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, papel, Americana, Berlin Wall, Master's Golf, post-war, World War Two, Ford cars, Berlin Crisis, America and Germany, CWC Railroad, daily life, family man, married American, Augusta, Georgia, USA