1890s Delightful Indiana Child’s Autograph Book Absolutely Brimming with Loving Messages, Poems and Phrases

On offer is an interesting and genuinely adorable autograph book dating from the 1890s in Indiana, United States. The diary was a gift to a young girl named Jennie Boldrey from Santa in 1892. From context, we can determine that she lived in Indiana, likely in or near the community of Aurora,  just west of Cincinnati, Ohio. Although the book was given to her in 1892, it appears to have been used not by Jennie, but by young Anna (Annie) Boldrey in the later 1890s. Our informal research has not been able to identify any additional biographical information on the two girls.

The album's pages are full of loving messages and best wishes for Annie from family and friends. Some pages are adorned with stickers or pictures cut out and pasted to the page such as flowers or birds. Some examples of the handwritten messages Annie collected in her special album: 

“My Dear Daughter Annie…May your road be long and [] and the end be far out of sight – face it bravely, strong and mery. Trust in God and do the right. Your mother Abbie Boldrey” [Aurora Ind April 1st, 1897].

“Dear Cousin Annie…When far off in distant land/You see the writing of my hand/My face you cannot see/Remember it was May who wrote these lines for thee…Your Cousin May Rollenberger June 15, 1901”.

“When the golden sun is setting and your mind from care is free/When of absent friends your thinking, will you think of me Your Uncle John W. Boldrey” [Summan Ind Apr 25, 1897].

This autograph book, while simple, helps us to reflect on the timelessness of the child's passion for collecting, children's need to feel loved and validated, and the familial love that knows not the bounds of time. 

For a genealogist, this is an excellent resource for tracing family relationships in Indiana at the end of the 19th century. 

This slim album measures 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches and contains 42 pages. It is 100% complete. The cover is in fair condition. It shows many wear marks and the exterior of the spine is torn in places. The binding has broken and many of the pages are loose. The pages are in fair condition with wear marks around each edge. The handwriting is legible.