1938 ORIGINAL DEPRESSING, DEPRESSION ERA MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG WOMAN DOING HER BEST TO HELP THE FAMILY'S FINANCES AND DIGNITY BUT ALL THE WHILE LIVING HAND TO MOUTH AND TRYING TO MAKE DO WITH PENNIES

On offer is an interesting, original 1938 manuscript diary and handwritten account of the trials and difficulties of a young Lincoln Nebraska woman, born December 20th 1918, thusly 19 years old for most of the writings, and her family trying to survive the Great Depression with dignity. The family, often in dire need financially almost lose their home and suffer both the humiliation and stigma of utilities being shut off multiple times. The unidentified author works for the telephone Company often pays the bills to get the utilities turned back on. She lives hand to mouth and sometimes has only pennies in her pocket. She prays her father will pay the rent or find another place to live. Even working she hopes for payday and often it is delayed. It is not specified but she undoubtedly lives in or near Hayward Park in Lincoln Nebraska and mentions going to Johnson, Omaha and Tecumseh. Her entries have one small ray of light in them being the movies. Few accounts exemplify the importance of motion pictures to those most affected as the movies were cheap and geared to helping the psyche of many downtrodden Americans. Their importance to out author is evident through the time she spends critiquing the pictures and even rating them. She begins January 12, 1938 through to the end of December. Here are some snippets: "January 12th, Went to show with Amy, "They Won't Forget," a very dramatic picture. Claude Rains, Edward Norris and some new actors. *** ½. Very convincing, almost too much so. I hope Marian sees it." "January 20th, Gosh wish I could get another job. I'll never be a good operator. I don't want Lillian to feel that I should keep the job just because we used to be neighbors." "February 2nd, Saw "Wells Fargo" with Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Bob Burns. **** A very good picture. I certainly enjoyed it. It was long but always interesting. It had everything, drama, thrills, laughs, tears, villains and a couple wars for good measures. The cartoon was cute. I feel as though I'd really got my money's worth." "March 12th, Went to another show tonight, "Gold is Where You Find It." Olivia De Havilland, George Brent. *** In Technicolor. Some really beautiful scenes. I'll have to stop going to so many shows." "April 23rd, Went to show with Jean and Amy. Saw "Her Jungle Love." Dorothy Lamoure, Ray Milland. In Technicolor. *** Beautiful scenes. A rather improbable story. "Stolen Heaven." Olympe Bradna, Gene Raymond. *** ½. A very good story. Beautiful music. Nearly one now. Have to be at work at eight." "May 6th, Saw "Everybody Sing." Judy Garland, Allan Jones and Lynn Carver. ***. Pretty good. Not much of a story tho. "They Wanted to Marry". Betty Furness, Gordon Jones. ** ½. A second rate picture. Had to walk home in the rain. I was just soaked! Hope I don't catch cold! We're paid today. I got $24.40." "June 26th, Went to show with Amy. Saw "Joy of Living." Irene Rich, Douglass Fairbanks Jr. **. I was disappointed. "The Saint In New York". Lewis Hayward. ** ½. A good detective thriller. We ate supper then went to the Overland where we saw "Josette." "July 3rd, I didn't write in the diary last nite. I had such a terrible headache. I went right to bed. The first page I've missed in a long time. Bought a dress yesterday, white sharkskin with a jacket printed with black penguins. I think it's very cute. Fits me perfectly. $5.95. Was on toll all day. Worked 10:00; 2:00 and 6:00; 10:00. The air conditioning is keen!" "July 10th, Went swimming. Aunt Ruth and Uncle John and Carol came down. Jean went back with them for a visit. Saw "Three Comrades." P. Franchot Jones, Robert Taylor, Robert Young. Margaret Sullivan. **** Very good. Rather sad. A war story about the effect war has on post-war Germany." "August 2nd, Well the landlord has given us notice to move immediately! I don't know what on earth we're going to do! This is the third time this is happened. We'll have an awful time trying to rent a house in this town now. Everyone in town will be talking about it. I suppose now daddy will want to move out without paying a cent!" "August 8th, We haven't found a house yet. I'm afraid they'll attach the furniture if we don't move pretty soon. No one seems to be worried in the least about it except mother and I!" "August 31st, Had sort of a big day today. My day off. Went on hike this morning. Had party for Marian at Amy's, then went to second show. Saw "Penitentiary." John Howard, Jean Parker, Walter Connelly. ** ½. A good double feature picture. Lots of suspense. "Nurse from Brooklyn." Sally Eilers, Paul Kelly. ** ½. Pretty good. Bought a dress. Black with white chalk stripes. Tailored with ____ skirt. Cute $4.95." "September 14th, Well daddy says he is leaving tomorrow. I certainly don't know what we'll use for money in the mean time! I couldn't begin to cover the rent and groceries with what I make let alone water, light, gas and telephone! I wish to goodness something would happen. I'm tired of living from just one day to the next! P.S. Put five of my dental money on W & L (Water and Light) bill. They were disconnected today." "September 23rd, They threatened to shut off lights and water again today. Paid $2.50 on bill. Tomorrow is Jackie's birthday. Paid $10 to dentist but have to go up again. One filing came out already." "October 21st, I was paid $23 today. Paid telephone bill $1.20. Quite different from bills we used to have! Five on rent and ditto W & L. that darned old Frigidaire leaks gas so badly. Jackie and I will have to sleep in the other room." "October 23rd, Well, we received notice several days ago that W & L would be disconnected. I thought five had been paid on it but it hasn't. Tomorrow is the last day. Practically no money! Doggone it! Such a life!" "November 23rd, My day off. Paid five on rent, five on W & L. Bought a ½ T. of coal, a pocket book (black suede, awfully cute), a few groceries for tomorrow and now I have less than a dollar left. Went to show with Amy and Jean. Saw "Listen Darling." Judy Garland, Freddie Barthomew, Mary Astor, Walter Pigeon. ** ½. A little too much arguing. However parts were very funny." "November 26th, Well, today was the last day at the Tel Office for me for quit a while. We were planning to go to Tulsa tomorrow, but now I don't know what we'll do. Not that I cared about going. I'd much rather stay home. Gosh, it would be some trip with six people in the car for about eight hundred miles! Rush down and rush back." "December 31st, The very last page! Daddy left this afternoon. Went to a party at Jeans tonight. Just we four. Two fifteen, have to get up at seven. Happy New Year!!!! I hope!" The 4¼ x 5½ inch book is overall G+.; Manuscript; 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, DEPRESSION, DEPRESSION ERA, AMERICAN WEST, JOHNSON, OMAHA, TECUMSEH, GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, HAYWARD PARK, MOTION PICTURES, MOVIES, HOLLYWOOD DURING THE DEPRESSION, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, AUTOGRAPHED, AUTHORS, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, ARCHIVE, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNAL, LOG, PRIMARY SOURCE, FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, SOCIAL HISTORY, PERSONAL STORIES, LIVING HISTORY, 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,BIOGRAPHY BIOGRAPHICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY PERSONAL NARRATIVES