Mark Twain's Adhesive Scrapbook in Our Treasure Chest

Samuel L. Clemens, more commonly known as Mark Twain, was a lifelong creator and keeper of scrapbooks – more than 300 of them!  He took them everywhere and filled them with souvenirs, pictures, and articles about his books and performances.  But in time, he grew tired of the lost glue, rock-hard paste, and the swearing that resulted from the standard scrapbook process.  So, he came up with the idea of printing thin strips of glue on the pages to make updates neat and easy to do.  Once the pages were wet, clippings and scraps could be easily attached.  In 1872, he patented his "self-pasting" scrapbook, and the "Mark Twain Adhesive Scrap Book" proved to be Clemens' only profitable patent, which provided a modest but steady income.


Our family treasure chest holds one such scrapbook - tattered, missing pages, broken spine - yet a few souvenirs from its former owner are still tucked in its decaying pages.

Alice Parker Murphey’s
Mark Twain Adhesive Scrapbook

Inspired by his invention, go to view Mark Twain’s Interactive Scrapbook and view his life story through the collection of texts, photos, and clippings from his day.

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Thursday - A.E. Ward's Shaving Kit

I took a couple of photos of Alexander E. Ward’s (my husband’s grandfather) razors and shaving mug.  My plan was to write a quick little “blurb” about straight razors and post a nice picture of the grouping.  What I discovered in my Google search is that I cannot write a quick little blurb; there is way too much to say about these simple utilitarian objects.   

Straight razors, also known as cut-throats, like A.E. Ward’s pictured below, were the most common form of shaving before the 20th century. 

  

Pictured in this collection: the box for a DE-Fi 34 Razor by the Wester Brothers of New York; a razor inscribed with Joseph Rogers & Sons, Cutters to their Majesty, No. 6 Norfold Street, Sheffield; the Griffon Straight Razor made in Germany along with its original yellow box; and a German Imperial Razor with its original box and blade that read XTRA HOLLOW GROUND, FULLY WARRENTED, the box cap also has a sticker showing where it was purchased - R. HELLIWELL'S (917?) S. MAIN ST. LOS ANGELES.  The personalized shaving mug was probably a gift from A.E. Ward’s association with the Freemasons.

For further reading about straight razors and a brief history of their development from 1500 through 1820, go to The Invisible Edge.  The site also has a Jargon Buster page illustrating the anatomy of the razor, terms, specifications, and its condition.

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Last Letter from Marie

This is the final letter to be posted and transcribed in the series of letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.  

This last letter was not actually penned by Marie but it still relates to the adoption, and is, by far, the most puzzling…who the heck is Mr. Kid?

Adoption by Mr. Kid?, letter dated 6 May 1881 (or 1880)

[Side 1]

3 Milton Road

Herne Hill

6 May / 81 (or 80)

Dear Sir

            I had a letter from Mis Brennar the other day.  she is very anscious to hear about her child  she is also anscious that I should endeavour to get him adopted by a Mr Kid whom she almost agreed to  to let him have it before she left this

[Side 2]

country.  Please write and let me know all about the child as I will write to her in a few days

I am DearSir

   Yours faithfully

A M Latchie

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie’s trouble in Belfast, letter dated 10 April 1880

[Side 1-Right]

5 Regent Square

London

      10/4/80

My Own Dear Sister
            Will you tell me how my Dear Child is and Iam not emproving  Iam wors then

[Side 2]
ever - Igot into some troble when I went to Belfast  that puts me quite out of my minde at times  Do think of me kindly   I know you will for Ye are Christians  You and Your Dear Husband May God spare him  toyou   Ihope Your Polly and ___ ___ are well  Accept my Love for all till Mrs and Mr Darru that I ask for them and Kiss Mrs Mehres and Baby for me  Give

[Side 1-Left]
my Love
            Oh Wont you Kiss my own Dear Child for me   May God watch over him is the prayer of his unhappy Mother
            Marie Brennar
            God bless Ye All
 

[Left Side-Vertical]

Pleas dont be angry with me ___ et  him  _and  I Keep thinking of him and Ye and wish it was Gods will that I ___  ___
            May Ye prosper in Grace and ___ is my prayers  pleas put my letter inside this anvelope   let it be addressed M Brennar enside and the inclosed anvelope address out side

_____ from

M Brennar

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie writes from Manchester, letter dated 24 Apr 80

[Right Side]

Manchester

24/4/80

My own Dear Sister and Brother

            What can the case be of the silence.  I am distracted with soreneses of the worst sort about you your Husband and Earnest.  Iwill

[Left Side]

come and see Ye on Monday  wile you receive one Ill Then___ ___ ___ and God bless Ye
            Your Fond
            Sister Marie
P.S. Iam at Dr.Nills Staping

[Right Side-Vertical]

Send word to Mrs Mitches and say also that I will thank her in person on Tuesday
Love to Mrs Mr Nelis and Baby and love to your Husband  Polly and Earnest
God bless Ye
            my prayer

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie writes about her illness, letter dated 12 Jan 80

[Side 1 Right Side]

236 Golborne Mo

Notting Hill

12 Jan 80

My Dear Brother and Sister

            What must you think of me from my silence  I am only getting out of a very bad illness pluracy  Ihope my Dear sister

[Side 2]

is better.  Oh do tell me if Earnest is well  if there is such a thing as abroken heart it is mine.  I never never will be happy on this earth.  There is no joy Iam getting worse instead of better.  I trust you are well and busy and in a prosperous happy way.  Give my love to Polly and kiss my fond fond Earnest for his poor unhappy mother.  Be particular and put your letter in an anvelope with out our address inside the anvelope   I send address.  Do let me have a long letter by return.

[Side 1 Left Side Vertical]

The Dr. told the Rev Sabrine Kington that it will be months  before I am well again. 
With fond, fond love and
kisses  Your fond
     Marie Brennar

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

A quick note from Marie, no date

[Side 1 Right Side]

    Care of Mrs. Garton
Melose my letter  
My Dear Mrs Warde
Pleas tell me  
how my Boy is
also if ye are well  
I wont write more
as I am not here

[Side 1 Left Side]
of this _______ for  
My Haste
                     M.B

[Side 2]
Mrs Garton 
      5 Regent Square
            Gray Inn Road
                  London

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie Brennar letter dated Monday 29^th

[Side 1 – Right-side]

5 Princes St

Oxford

                         Monday 29th

My own Dear Mrs. Ward and Mr. Ward

Many thanks for your kind letter and the enclosed letters.  I am indeed glad to think you consider me worthy of the friendship you express in your welcome letter.  I shall ever remember my visit and your peacefull home. 

[Side 2]

May God bless you and your Husband.  I am in Oxford ill and in bed.  I have not been out of bed since Fri 26^th so am writing this in an awkward position.  Will you forgive me.  Dr. says I am to go back to London soon as possible as I must be amongst those I know and who know my constitution.  There is one thing my dear Mrs. Warde that makes me happy and that is my dear little Ernest is in the Home and Hearts of Christians where I know he is happy and listening to good and not evil.  Thanks be to God for making ye the instrument of his divine will (Preparing a soul) for His kingdom   Kiss baby for me   May God bless ye all   With love

                                                       Marie Brennar

[Side 1 – Left-side]

P.S.  If only will I have so mutch to do but I must write.

            Inclose anvelope with address if anny letters  pleas get Mr. Ward to send them.  I expect one but it may not come till Wednesday.  Remember me to Mrs. Mitchies and Mr. Mitchies

                                                     With fond love

                                                  God bless ye

                                                          Marie

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

 Marie Brennar letter with no dated

[Side 1]

6 Princes Street

Oxford

                                   
My own Dear Mrs. Ward and Mr. Ward ,
            Itrust baby is well and Good and won’t you tell me how he is and I got His bottle from his nurse  I trust it is some Dr. Johnson prepared for him.  It is a large bottle but I changed it fearing it

[Side 2]

would get broken and that I should lose all  I will send the remainder when you write   Put two tea Spoons full into a bottle of milk at night.  It is to keep him regular in bowells and Despel wind
            I will write soon and love to you Polly and Mr Ward from your Sincere and loving
                                    Marie Brennar
P.S.  please post those two letters and once for me and if any come send them to here
            God bless ye

[Side 1 Vertical Writing]

I found the bottle
 could not go to
day It bring Spilt
(the Medicines)
©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie Brennar letter dated 1 Dec

[P1-Right side]

59 Market Place

Leicester

                     1 December 79

My Dear

       Mrs Ward

I will not keep baby one day longer than is well for him, Iam sure you will love him and be a good mother to him  Iam

[P1-Left side]

sorry I forgot toenclose the letter tis now enclosed and Iam sure you will be pleased to rede it  Would you kindly if posable finde yet the best and most spedy ride for me from London   Pleas send Mr Ward as I don’t know with what way to go

I am in Lester and will be for some days more so the address

 [P3 - Vertical]

 inclosed will do But pleas seal it with wax as it might get opened   They don’t know

            May God bless you for you kinde letter allowing me to see my fond lovely boy smile ____ Iam glad the name pleases you 

 Pleas send me a description of the way I should take

[P4 - Vertical]

with fond love

        M Brennar

 

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

Marie Brennar letter dated befor 15 Dec 1879

Saturday

      Leicester

My Dear Mrs Ward

           Will you thank Mr. Ward for me and accept the fondest love I can bare your self.  I feel I can be happy now to give up my fond fond Ernest.  It is for his good.  May God bless him and ye is my warmest prayer.  I will God willing on Monday 15 Dec.  But I will write you before then telling the train and how you will know me. 

With fond love till then again

Sincerely yours

Marie Brennar

[Right Side-Vertical]

P.S.  Isend an envelope addressed fearing you should wish to write it can be sent on to me

God bless

Ye
             

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved 

Treasure Chest Continues - The Marie Brennar Letters

This is a continuation of posted and transcribed letters by Marie Brennar to William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham on the adoption of her son, Alexander Ernest Hope.

The vertical writing on this one was a bit more challenging.

Marie Brennar letter dated November 19

[Page 1]

4 Mabeldon Place

London

November19th

My Dear Mrs Ward

            You must think me careless not answering you letter sooner.  But I have so mutch to think of that I don’t know what

[P2]

I am about.  My own dear Baby has had such a cold and it quite up set me but I am happy to say he is mutch better.

            Inclose you a letter from baby’s nurse.  She tells me they love him as if he was there own.  I am sure you will

[P3 - Vertical]

be pleased with it  Will you tell me Mr. Ward if in getting him adopted am I ever to see him  and this is tearing my hart strings.  Could I see him and be allowed to kiss him at times.  Will you tell me what privileges you will allow me.  I am not very well but think it is troubles of minde and it is wrong for me to trouble for God is good but I cannot help it.

            Will you kindly forgive me asking you if baby’s adopted father is a Christian  I am afraid you will think me inquisitive asking and but it is not

[P4]

from the Spirits of inquisitiveness.  Baby’s name in the registry is Alexander Ernest Hope - But you can perhaps have it changed  would you enquire of some one.  I forgot to say that baby must be vaccinated before the 29^th fearing he would be late and that I should be punished so in that cace it would be 14 or 18 days before he could be removed.  He will then be out of danger.

            I am almost sure you can have his name changed when you adopt

[P5 - Vertical]

him.  Will you pleas let me here soon  I long for a letter from you and am sure I can trust my Dear Dear child with you  Thanks to you and Mrs. Ward.  

Believe me

                                                                 Yours truly

Pardon  Haste                                                 

M. Brennar

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved