Travel Journal recounting train and bus trip from New York City to Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA for the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926.
1926. Softcover. Very Good. Item #5310
Pocket notebook (16 x 8cm); 40 leaves. Handwritten notes in ink on each recto. Staple-bound at top edge with black tape covering. Perforated leaves. Cardboard backing with no front cover, possibly as issued (one stub remains on top from a torn-out sheet; unsure if this was a cover page or a blank, but journal begins on first existing page so no loss assumed). First page loose along perforation but still holding, with all other pages firmly bound.
Journal recounts a three-day trip via train and bus from New York City to Washington, DC and Philadelphia Pennsylvania for the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition (1926 World’s Fair). The author's name is never stated, but based on content is likely a young man from New York City traveling with his father. Handwriting is legible throughout.
Majority of journal describes sightseeing in Washington, DC: "Arrived in Wash. At 3:35 ST Time after spending 5 hours on the train (P.R.R.) ... We went from the grand Union Station to the Capitol Park Hotel and checked in. Then we went sight-seeing around the city proper."
Author writes about visiting DC landmarks, describes the interior of the Pan American Union building in detail, and complains about the DC heat: "After a soda we went to the hotel and took a cold bath and went to sleep. It was very warm on train and in Wash. & rained in the latter place. It was rather warm at night."
The author sums up his thoughts on the first day with language that reflects the prejudices of the times: "Many coons in Wash. And many, many [underlined] pretty women."
Following pages give more detail on where he slept, ate and visited. In Philadelphia, he recounts an incident at the hotel: "At 1 o'clock last night (or this morning, rather) the band ... came to the hotel (their headquarters) playing louder than any other bands ever played together and the policemen looked on and laughed. Ha! Ha! What a good joke."
A detailed glimpse into one man's travel experience in the mid-1920s.
Price: $125.00