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H.A. SOMMER : 1909 ORIGINAL, SUPERB, EVENTFUL WORLD CRUISE DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A LOS ANGELES MAN WHO DOES A SUPERIOR JOB DETAILING ALL HE SEES

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a sensational, original manuscript travel diary, providing a very detailed description of an eventful round-the-world cruise taken in 1909 hand written by a California man with a keen eye for observation and a gift for description. The 7 x 4 inch book has 200 pages or so and is a little more than half filled and commences June 14 to September 7th ending abruptly upon leaving Naples. The author, H.A. Sommer and his wife [Milly] left their home in Los Angeles and travelled by train to San Francisco where they spend some time touring. He comments on the ruins of City Hall and the Courthouse and the destruction caused by the great earthquake of 1906. 'We also viewed the Ruins of the City Hall and Courthouse from the last great Earthquake a horrible sight. Form this we can obtain a slight Idea of what the terrible destruction must have been.' [June 14] They then board the Steam Ship China for their journey to Asia. Their first major stop is Hawaii and his notes are very descriptive, ranging from Japanese warships in the harbor to architecture and the local people. 'The whole city of Honolulu is a Dreamland it lacks word to describe its climate is perfect all year round never above 84o and seldom below 70o. As we rode back and forward on the street we noticed every Residence large or small was surrounded by a large variety of flowers and trees.' [June 23] En route, there are two deaths, one described as a suicide by a crew member and another of a steerage passenger who died of illness. He describes the burial at sea. 'This morning we got up early to see the burial of the dead Japanese ... no one appeared except Milly myself and another Gentleman, the corpse was sewed in the Canvas and heavy leaden weights attached to it resting on a board at the stroke of 4 bells (6 o'clock) the Captain appeared Bible in hand the first officer being already on deck. The Captain ordered the Engines to be stopped and he after every one present uncovered their heads proceeded to read out of the Bible. The two Quartermasters stepped forward took hold of the American flag which covered the dead body the pushed it forward, then a couple of Sailors lifted the rear End and the body slowly gliding forward dropped in the Sea and all was over. [June 29] He devotes a number of pages to their stop in Japan and his descriptions are rich in detail: A clear morning after breakfast we had our baggage taken ashore as our boat made fast we noticed some little Jap's- having red Caps on their heads looking much like dressed up monkeys they took hold of all baggage carried it to the customs house... [June 6] everything is very tiny small houses, People, Streets and Street Cars, narrow and crooked street what gives them an ancient appearance. Houses are built close together with tile roofs. People in general are quiet and modest. [p. 26]. Their voyage continues on via China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ceylon, Egypt, Arabia and The Holy Land including Jerusalem, Jaffa. The same rich descriptions continue. The diary ends abruptly on Sept 7th as they are making passage from Naples to Genoa. There is no hint as to reason and the reader can only speculate. On the following pages (p 106-107) there is an entry by one Mitchell Jon Cremin dated Feb 24th, 1964. Context suggests this was a boy as he took it to his school. He said that he found the journal in an old house. Cremin says: He (meaning Sommer) rote about his wife wen she dide on the ship [p. 107] However, there is no way to verify this. For a historian, this is an outstanding collection of observations and descriptions of life in many parts of the world from a time long past. Whether a historian, a researcher into cultural differences or simply one who enjoys the rich tapestry of people and nations of that time that move across these pages, this journal is a gem. The journal is in good condition and all pages are intact.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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