1937 - 1945 ORIGINAL ARCHIVE OF FIVE [5] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG ITALIAN GIRL LIVING THE FUN AND FRIVOLOUS LIFE UNTIL THE HARSH REALITY OF WORLD WAR II COMES TO HER BELOVED HOME OF TRIESTE

On offer is a fascinating group of five [5] original, manuscript relics of World War II and Italian home front life. Handwritten by Vittoria Bussoni a 17 year old [in 1937] girl who does a super job detailing her life just prior to the onset of the War in Europe through 1945. The specific dates are 1937, 1938, 1941, 1944 and 1945. Vittoria does a super job throughout the years of keeping up her diary though in 1945 she peters out in August with the final brief message on Nov 1st of that year. Even with the backdrop of impending war Vittoria lives a life of fun and frivolity between school and work [we believe in a fabric store] going dancing with Wilma, and going to her house, going to the Corso with Carmen and Sofia, going to see "Wake Up and Live" (Il fantasma cantante) starring Alice Faye, meeting boys, going out with boys and even notes the King and Queen of Italy in Trieste on one occasion and much much more. Understandably the narrative turns less playful and frivolous in the later diaries as the War becomes a harsh reality and she confides her fears in the diary. Here are some translated snippets: Sunday 6 Cloudy day. At 11:30 at Primitati was accepted to do the course at Torino, in Corso at Caffe' Specchi with Ita, Pino, Stelsio then Albine, Rino Giovanni were at the bar at 4 , met up and went to Dreher. Stelvio put on a uniform and pretended he had to depart, passed by Fossi then went to "7 Dwarfs". Not really in the mood to dance, everyone is tired from the night before. (from the night before they stole a bottle of champagne and came home late). Monday April 7 Rainy day, the evening went in Corso with Ita. Then Stelvio introduced us an officer of the San Marco division, at 9 met up and went to the Dreher beer house, then home by foot, nice evening with moon. The officer walked Ita home. Tuesday 8 Cold cloudy day, the evening home with Ester inc. Stelvio walked ..?.. the strong order tomorrow, at 8:30 with Ita and the officer to the Principe (a cinema) "A desperate cause" Jerry Hugo, cute outside, Stelvio walked me home, said goodnight to each other. Friday 27 April Cloudy, Rainy. Political events- almost everything and Italy "settentrionale" (nord), Liguria, Piemonte e Lombardia; Occupied (?) by the patriots. The Americans already crossed the Po. Taken Piacenza Parma. The evening in Corso there's something in the air. They wanted to cut off the equipment (lights) of the port. Hope it will be resolved here like in the other cities. Saturday April 28 Rainy, cloudy. In Germany the Russian armate joined (or met up/bumped into) the Americans at the town of Fiume. The Partisans battle the Russians. The German forces in Trieste like in the other cities of north Italy surrender to the American troops. At 17.30 closed the store and went home. Sunday April 29 Nice day. Spent whole day at home, alone, went for walk to Stefano's house then wanted to go to the movies but there were too many people, at home at good hour (early). At 10 in the evening the artillery began shooting all night. Monday April 30 Nice day, wanted to go to work but it was impossible, battles in the streets, Eddy came, ran away from the Germans this night. Today came up the Comitato Nazionale di Liberazione made many Germans prisoners. The S.S. although does not surrender any of the battles. 29 June Sunday Cloudy, around 5 met with Stelvio, went to "Stella di Rio" magnificent work, at 7:30, went outside, walked me home, underneath the Portici (gallery) Franco saw me, I am saddened. NOTES page: We are without electric current and without water, made some reserves, hope we won't have to go through anything worse than this. I came to know that the English army will continue advancements without interruption, surpassed Padova, Mestre, the Piave and there is talk that they already are today at 12 and Monfalcone troops Neo-Zelandesi, I dread the troops of colour. What will be of us? I'm very scared. BIO NOTES: Vittoria Bussoni, Via del Molino a Vapore, 61, Trieste, b. April 26 1920. Overall G+.s G.; Manuscript; 48mo - over 3" - 4" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, ITALY, ITALIAN, HOME FRONT, DIARI, ITALIANI, WWII, WORLD WAR II, WW2, MUSSOLINI, VITTORIA BUSSONI, PARTISANS, ITALIAN REPUBLIC, WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, 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,