1908 - 1923 ARCHIVE OF SIX (6) HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARIES - SENSATIONAL LOOK AT TURN OF THE CENTURY MAN ABOUT TOWN IN NEW YORK CITY THROUGH WORLD WAR I

Sensational archive of six (6) diaries [1908 - 1913 in a Line A Day 5 year notebook style diary, then 1914, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1923] detailing over 15 years in the the life of James Robert White; a teacher of music and choral tradition at both Columbia University and City College of New York (CCNY), a student taking some courses and attending lectures at Columbia and a very sociable 'man about town' who goes out nearly everyday and sometimes multiple times turing the day to catch a concert here or a show there. He is very erudite, very insightful and compulsive in many of these writings. Of particular note: in the 5 year diary his entries are copious and he sometimes writes upside down to maximize the space and keep daily writings on the same page. The five year also offers up a mystery the author never answers - the diary starting in 1908, is faithfully written throughout but for some reason there is not a single word written of 1912 and no clue or hint why White would write madly, hardly ever missing a day for 4 years right up until December 31st, 1911, and then not another word until January 1st, 1913. Otherwise, White records every person he meets, has lunch or dinner with, a one word or line critique on the hundreds of shows he sees and concerts he attends not to mention all manner of comments on his myriad of meetings for school and social life. He has two children - boys - but never a mention of a Mrs. and it is hard to get a handle on which if any of his frequent dates are more special than the others. He does go out alot with the wives of his associates usually to artistic functions. Here are some snippets: "Am delighted to exchange alnight with Miss H. whom I consider one of my most intelligent friends. She is almost masculinely masterful in what she does." "Expected a call from Mr. Faye but he did not come. He is like many musicians unreliable and not much for working with." "Feeling fairly well used up. Did not sleep well last night. My social pleasures must be curtailed and help me in work." I could go on and on. A more detailed reading of this many hundreds of pages within this archive will I am sure reveal much more about this fascinating, educated, social man. The 5 year is 8vo. 1914 is 48mo and the rest in between. The 5 year is fragile with regard to the cover but interior is very fine. The others average good+ to VG.; Manuscript; 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,