CIRCA 1918 HANDWRITTEN DIARY WW I FEMALE DANCER VAUDVEILLE TROOP TRAVEL 100 PP
Item History & Price
Up for auction is an intriguing diary that belonged to a female performer /dancer circa 1918. She was part of a vaudeville troop and toured the United States during the war. The majority of her entries mention war bond events parades, dances for soldiers, and a propaganda tour at military camps on the West Coast. She begins in San Francisco San Diego, Los Angles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Kansas City, Butte, Vancouver Canada, Chicago plus points in between. Most of her travelin...g is by rail, she writes about all the train stations and the life along the way.
Many entries mention the crowds at the shows, dance routines, a member of the acrobat troop arrested, Mumps and the Spanish flu. There are great descriptions of hotels and places they stayed, shows that did not go well mention of Chinatown being one of them. There is lots of gossip along the way and details of fellow travelers. In addition is a autograph and address section filled with names one page shows a rough drawing of the Steiner Brothers, and signed by the group.
The Steiner Brothers were a famous acrobat troupe of over a century ago.The diary is packed with content I am sure I am missing lots of details and entries with further examination the identity of the author may be established. The only clue is a rough torn piece of paper that states Photograph do not fold with an address of a Missle E. Riggs with address at a Bible institute in L.A. The diary measures about 5 by 3 by 5/8 inch.
I would estimate it between 50 and 65 double sided pages of content. That is over 100 pages of entries.This is a fascinating read once you adjust to her handwriting. Diary entries : I transcribed a fraction of the content. Most are just excerpts from much longer diary entries. As always any questions feel free to ask.
Jan 1, 1918
Last night at Tait's 8 week engagement in San Francisco - oh so glad no more cabaret for me. Only one dance & so much noise that couldn't hear the music at all and so much paper on the floor nearly missed my mark. A very hilarious crowd and so disgusting at a time like this- Our boys at war much money thrown at orchestra bit out of place. Left at 12:30 am and Tait wished us a happy new year as we left.
Jan 2, 1918
Packing of costumes & we girls with the exception of Ines, and Mother Moon left S.F. at about 8pm on rail car for LA Mother Munn a witch until all were on the train and she worried over bringing Ines in the city what they would say to her.
Jan 4, 1918
Left at 11:59 pm or San Diego with 5 girls Betty Lorian to dance for the soldiers.piled out of the train at 6pm In the mourning and we walked miles to a cafeteria for breakfast than got a bus for Camp Kearny.
Mr. Shaun meet us and we were the guests of the 158th Ambulance Corps we were escorted all over the camp lunch with boys in the mess hall all waited on ourselves such fun.The boys gave us a dinner at the Hostess House - much talking, playing singing. Than we were sent back to San Diego to stay at the Grant Hotel all tired and dirty.
Jan 23, 1918
A year ago I left Ely, and Dad.
Feb 22, 1918
One year ago my career as a dancer started I had my first lesson at Denishaun with Mrs. Moore
March 19, 1918
Stalled around with Ines went to Mr Qules had lunch with Dorthy at the Clinton. She is at the Victoria C & I went to see “ Ruggles of the Red Gap” I stayed long had jus five mins to get on stage but got there.
April 6, 1918
Watched 3rd Liberty Bond parade and saw Theo Wilcher - think he’s a gent - Wish I could talk to him. Nick the acrobat was put in jail - trouble ? Gus Charlie Ruth and I dined together at Godfrey's Cody 4 shows today. 3 at night started at 6:30 pm one year ago was declared big Norbo that sailors were after us.
May 19, 1918
Arrived in Chicago Ill 2:40 pm M. hunted up theatre and hotel. Staying at La Salle 2 rooms and bath for $ 1:00 a day nice place June and I saw Mrs. Sarah B. Earnhardt in from the theatre to the field of honor she is the most wonderful she is about 71 years and ill never forget her. She played at the Majestic it is a crime that people don’t appreciate her more. We cried all through it. When we got home the girls had found midget the tabby kitten back to my trunk.
Many entries mention the crowds at the shows, dance routines, a member of the acrobat troop arrested, Mumps and the Spanish flu. There are great descriptions of hotels and places they stayed, shows that did not go well mention of Chinatown being one of them. There is lots of gossip along the way and details of fellow travelers. In addition is a autograph and address section filled with names one page shows a rough drawing of the Steiner Brothers, and signed by the group.
The Steiner Brothers were a famous acrobat troupe of over a century ago.The diary is packed with content I am sure I am missing lots of details and entries with further examination the identity of the author may be established. The only clue is a rough torn piece of paper that states Photograph do not fold with an address of a Missle E. Riggs with address at a Bible institute in L.A. The diary measures about 5 by 3 by 5/8 inch.
I would estimate it between 50 and 65 double sided pages of content. That is over 100 pages of entries.This is a fascinating read once you adjust to her handwriting. Diary entries : I transcribed a fraction of the content. Most are just excerpts from much longer diary entries. As always any questions feel free to ask.
Jan 1, 1918
Last night at Tait's 8 week engagement in San Francisco - oh so glad no more cabaret for me. Only one dance & so much noise that couldn't hear the music at all and so much paper on the floor nearly missed my mark. A very hilarious crowd and so disgusting at a time like this- Our boys at war much money thrown at orchestra bit out of place. Left at 12:30 am and Tait wished us a happy new year as we left.
Jan 2, 1918
Packing of costumes & we girls with the exception of Ines, and Mother Moon left S.F. at about 8pm on rail car for LA Mother Munn a witch until all were on the train and she worried over bringing Ines in the city what they would say to her.
Jan 4, 1918
Left at 11:59 pm or San Diego with 5 girls Betty Lorian to dance for the soldiers.piled out of the train at 6pm In the mourning and we walked miles to a cafeteria for breakfast than got a bus for Camp Kearny.
Mr. Shaun meet us and we were the guests of the 158th Ambulance Corps we were escorted all over the camp lunch with boys in the mess hall all waited on ourselves such fun.The boys gave us a dinner at the Hostess House - much talking, playing singing. Than we were sent back to San Diego to stay at the Grant Hotel all tired and dirty.
Jan 23, 1918
A year ago I left Ely, and Dad.
Feb 22, 1918
One year ago my career as a dancer started I had my first lesson at Denishaun with Mrs. Moore
March 19, 1918
Stalled around with Ines went to Mr Qules had lunch with Dorthy at the Clinton. She is at the Victoria C & I went to see “ Ruggles of the Red Gap” I stayed long had jus five mins to get on stage but got there.
April 6, 1918
Watched 3rd Liberty Bond parade and saw Theo Wilcher - think he’s a gent - Wish I could talk to him. Nick the acrobat was put in jail - trouble ? Gus Charlie Ruth and I dined together at Godfrey's Cody 4 shows today. 3 at night started at 6:30 pm one year ago was declared big Norbo that sailors were after us.
May 19, 1918
Arrived in Chicago Ill 2:40 pm M. hunted up theatre and hotel. Staying at La Salle 2 rooms and bath for $ 1:00 a day nice place June and I saw Mrs. Sarah B. Earnhardt in from the theatre to the field of honor she is the most wonderful she is about 71 years and ill never forget her. She played at the Majestic it is a crime that people don’t appreciate her more. We cried all through it. When we got home the girls had found midget the tabby kitten back to my trunk.
