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Rev. Charles William Shepherd : 1861 ORIGINAL ARCHIVE OF JOURNAL, LETTERS, PHOTOS AND EPHEMERA DOCUMENTING THE EARLY TRAVEL AND EXPLORATION OF THE NORTH FRISIAN ISLANDS BY RENOWNED AUTHOR AND ORNITHOLOGIST DOCUMENTING THE BIRDS, PEOPLE AND GEOGRAPHY OF THIS ONCE CONTESTED AREA

Folio - over 12" - 15" tall. On offer is a remarkable, original archive including a manuscript travel journal/log and related ephemera of an early 1861 voyage to the North Frisian Islands of Amrum, Sylt, Föhr, Hoog, Norderoog, then Husum and Hamburg Germany by the noted author and ornithologist Rev. Charles William Shepherd. This historical archive consists of the personal handwritten journal, map, letters, receipts and photographs, all contained in a period archival portfolio, and in very good condition: 1) Journal measuring approximately 12cm x 19cm, written very legibly in pencil, 52 pages together with itinerary of islands visited and list of birds seen; 2) two small photographs of a local fisherman and ship on a beach; 3) one color map, 32cm x 45cm approximately, showing the North Frisian Islands as part of Denmark; 4) 3-page folio contract and cover letter to hire a ship with captain and crew; 5) three detailed letters (12 pp) reporting on Amrum and Husum; 6) seven handwritten hotel receipts with itemized list of lodgings and food consumed; 7) a notecard with farewell poem, being a tribute to the Islands (as mentioned in the journal); 8) other various ephemeral items such as tickets, vouchers etc. add further depth to this super relic of the historic area once the property of the Kingdom of Denmark, now a German holding. Shepherd visited the North Frisian Islands aboard the ship 'Pauline'. His keen observations of the local geography and people as well as the bird life on these islands is totally unique as a eyewitness account of this interesting historical area. He also visits some 'halligen' (salt marsh islands without embankments) such as Beenshallig. He notes the abundance of bird life and quotes the Captain's observations that the islands get smaller and smaller every year. In fact Beenshallig which was located south of Gröde completely disappeared by the end of the 19th century. Researchers and historians of the area will note that while his main focus is on birds his journal is full of details of local colour: he is invited to a wedding party; notes the costumes of the locals; description of the unique thatched houses as well as a list of birds seen and ornithological work performed on this voyage. Shepherd kept much detail of his traveling expenses providing another parallel source of information and affords the reader with good insight into the practicalities of exploration during the mid 1800's. Of note are the 3-page folio contract to hire the ship and the hotel bills from Victoria Hotel in Tönning, Groot's Hotel in Keitum auf Sylt and Thomas Hotel in Husum. BIO NOTES: Rev. Charles William Shepherd of Trotterscliffe and of Trinity College, Cambridge was an ornithologist and traveler who traveled widely in search of ornithological specimens. Shepherd was also the author of the book The North-West Peninsular of Iceland: Being the Journal of a Tour in Iceland in the Spring and Summer of 1862 (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1867). A rare and unique capture of North Frisian island life in the middle of the 19th century. Overall VG.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good

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