Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2316

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.1 linear feet (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Edith Gilman mystery book, 1896, Ms. Codex 2316, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1896

Creator:

Gilman, Jennie Edith, 1878-1907

Form:

Autograph albums

Abstract:

Jennie Edith Gilman (called Edith) (1878-1907) was living in Monmouth, Maine, and was about 18 years old in 1896 when she collected writings of her friends and family. This volume, called a "mystery book" by several contributors, contains notes and letters written by Edith Gilman's friends and family members. After the notes were written, they were folded into a triangle and sealed; and the outside of the triangle often contains instructions for an opening date or moment in time.

Jennie Edith Gilman (called Edith) was living in Monmouth, Maine, and was about 18 years old in 1896 when she collected writings of her friends and family. Her father was a farmer and she probably attended a local public school. In 1903, she married Riley Frank Hinckley. She died of cancer in 1907 at the age of 29.

This volume, called a "mystery book" by several contributors, contains notes and letters written by Edith Gilman's friends and family members. After the notes were written, they were folded into a triangle and sealed; and the outside of the triangle often contains instructions for an opening date or moment in time. While some of the notes contain friendly reflections or words of advice, a number of the notes state that the writer does not know what to write or that they are writing simply for the purpose of making Edith happy. There are occasional blank triangles. The volume is bound with brown paper wrappers, folded pages, and the cover cut into a triangle. There is one note laid in between pages 6 and 7.