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CARLOS WILHEM WIEBER : 1909 ORIGINAL PAIR [2] OF SUPER TRAVEL JOURNALS HANDWRITTEN BY A 14 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WOULD ONE DAY REMAKE THE TRIP AS COMMANDER OF THE USS ESSEX TO BECOME THE HERO OF THE BATTLE OF LEYTE AND WINNER OF THE NAVY CROSS

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a super 2-volume diary of a young boy who would go on to play a leading role in one of the largest naval battles in World War II. Written in a very legible hand, the diary of 14 year old Carlos Wilhelm Wieber (later Rear Admiral Wieber), is a detailed, 113-page description of a 1909 cruise with his parents from Manila to Europe via Japan, China, southeast Asia and the Middle East. It is an utterly fascinating read too as this is an unusual glimpse into the early life of one who would 34 years later, return to Philippine waters as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Essex. Under his command, Essex played a pivotal role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, winning him the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in combat. Wieber's day-to-day descriptions offer an intimate look into the life and times of well-off and/or well placed members of American and European society. Replete with observations on people he saw or met, places visited and experiences, this is a 14 year old boy's clear-eyed account of all he encountered. The books are in excellent condition, the handwriting clear and legible with grammar and language that belies the youth of the writer. Included is a newspaper clipping from the Singapore Free Press dated November 25, 1909 recounting the arrival of his ship, the steamer Prinzess Alice which many had given up for lost in a typhoon. The reverse of the large clipping has snippets of information from 'Help Wanted' and commercial items. Business cards for Chinese guides in Canton include one with a recommendation from HRH the Duke of Connaught (Queen Victoria's grandson). There is an undated (but likely WWII) photograph of Wieber with 2 other officers beside a bomber. There is also a watercolour postcard of a cruise ship of the Nord Deutsher Lloyd line - a large German shipping line that later became today's Hapag-Lloyd AG. Taken together, this is a fascinating glimpse into a world that was soon to change irrevocably. Overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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