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Manuscript Diary of Canoe Trip on Maine Rivers fro

Manuscript Diary of Canoe Trip on Maine Rivers from 1901-06, lot includes four 4.75" x 7.25" string bound manuscript diaries, ca ?? in total, two canvas mounted U.S.G.S. maps, one manuscript list on loose page, and two TLsS from contemporary readers of the diaries. These diaries entitled Maine Woods Aug. 5-25, 1901, E.B.C. & M.L.C., Henry Francis, Exp. Abt. $85 apiece + cost of canoe $23, Also 1902, about 85 lined manuscript sheets, many with text on each side. The second diary is entitled Maine 1905 July 14-31 S.W.D. E.B.C. & Henry Francis Expense about $85 and has about 32pp. The third diary is entitled Maine July 13-30, 1906 S.W.D., E.B.C., H.F. Exp. About $80 and has about, 26 pages and the last is entitled Camp Kit with 14pp. The second and third have manuscript maps. These diaries were written by E.B. Church and are wonderful accounts of his canoe trips in the Maine North Woods, undertaken by E.B. and his brother M.L. and friends. The diaries are written with attention to detail, starting with the group's departure from Boston on a steamship and writing every step of the way along the rivers and lakes that they chose to canoe. One example of the writing follows: Friday Aug. 8 Heard Song Sparrow this morning. A beautiful day with strong N.W. wind Brk. About 7 and had to wait till 9 for the jumper which came down with two women. Henry started with canoe upstream & we walked the 2.5 m. of carry behind jumper. The mud came fully up to our expectations! But the road was an interesting one. Reached Smith's at Umbazooskus Lake aft 10. Saw Robins today as yesterday. Wood Ducks on Mud pond stream; also Blue Heron and Swallows, white beneath & white spot on back...At Smith's found Henry, sent letter & pd $5 for the double carry. Found the road, half of carry entirely mud and so rode in wagon but with much jolting. Reached Mud Pond about 11 o'clock. Mud Pond is about a mile in diameter, is shallow & muddy & filled with lily pads. Saw several deer along shores and got a grand view of Ktoodn and other mts. Crossed in 15 mins and found canoe very comfortable, even with three persons. Made good speed. From the pond treaded water on the stream. Henry waded while we walked old lumber roads, startling two deer. Reached Chamberlain about 12:15 & stopped to talk with Francis, Sr. who advised not crossing the lake. The lake looks large & rather attractive with many jutting points; wind is strong down the lake and we paddled against it for 15 minutes to a sandy point where we landed for lunch.... Each of the trips is described from start to finish and include Allagosh, the Ripogenus, Poland Pond and many other rivers and lakes. A fascinating account of the Maine wilderness of 100 years ago.