1919 WWI France Letters G Havens OSU + 1928 Journal Missionary Pamphlets Lot For Sale

1919 WWI France Letters G Havens OSU + 1928 Journal Missionary Pamphlets Lot
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1919 WWI France Letters G Havens OSU + 1928 Journal Missionary Pamphlets Lot:
$105.04

Whoa, hey now, friends! Opie here, chilling over at Bando Larry Liquidations. You gotta check out this totally rad pile of history we dug up. It's like, from the time-travel chest of this super smart dude, Professor George R. Havens, who taught French stuff over at OSU. Heavy, man, but seriously cool.

Title: 1919 WWI France Letters G Havens OSU + 1928 Journal Missionary Pamphlets Lot

So, like, here's the lowdown on this epic loot drop:

  • Professor Havens' Letters from France (1919): First off, there are these two actual letters the Professor wrote right after World War I, like, March and April 1919. He was chilling in Loudun, France, probably waiting to level up and come home. He's writing to his lady back in Connecticut on this awesome official YMCA / Foyer du Soldat paper (got the logos and everything, super cool!). He talks about life there, maybe getting sent to another town called Angoulême, how he's prepping for his big move to OSU in Ohio, missing his girl... it's like reading someone's away messages from 100 years ago, man. Comes with the original envelopes too! Handwriting's pretty clear if you focus.

  • The Mother-in-Law's Journal (1928): Then there's this journal, which is like, whoa. It belonged to the Professor's mother-in-law, Mrs. E. J. Curtis. And she logged everything in 1928. Visiting George and Louise in Columbus, Ohio (mentions OSU area, Grandview Heights), then trips out east – Shelter Island, NY visiting George's mom, then back to Connecticut (Forestville, North Woodbury, Nichols...). She writes about family visits (her son Dwight, someone named Frances who travels with them, George and Louise visiting CT!), church stuff (she was Methodist, taught Bible Class, went to meetings, even wrote stuff for the WCTU temperance crew!), who preached (Dr. Tucker!), who visited (Judge Rosemond!), worries about young dudes at church acting goofy... It's like finding a complete walkthrough of her life for that year! Plus, she listed books she wanted, like quests she hadn't started yet. Oh, and tucked inside were these two little cards - one religious "God Bless You" thing from Cleveland, and one with a heavy quote from poet Robert Browning. Total bonus items!

  • Old-School Missionary Pamphlets (like, 1910s-1920s): Dude, there are three of these cool old pamphlets about sending folks to Africa way back then. Different churches, too!

    • One's Methodist ("His Own in Africa") talking about Rhodesia, Angola...
    • One's Presbyterian ("Some African Children") written by Jean Kenyon Mackenzie – apparently, she was like, a famous writer back then. Got little pictures of faces, kinda neat.
    • And one's Baptist ("A Jungle Tour In Congoland," 1923) about adventures in the Congo. Wild stuff people were reading!

  • Other Random Cool Stuff (Ephemera, man):

    • This funny old plumbing ad pamphlet from like 1930 for Sexauer parts... talks about leaky toilets and says "Remember the Mule," haha. Found part of it stuck in a notebook page.
    • And a couple of old postcards from Europe – one from Geneva, Switzerland (unused) and one from Ostend, Belgium. Travel trophies!

The Condition Level:Look, this stuff is old, like really old school, early 1900s. It's paper. It's been around. Expect some spots, some wear, feels kinda fragile like ancient scrolls, y'know? But it's all there. The handwriting in the letters and journal? Mostly pretty readable if you, like, focus your mana. Peep the photos, zoom in, get the full picture, dudes.

Why It's Awesome:This bundle is like, a multi-quest reward for history hunters. Got WWI, OSU history, Ohio & Connecticut history, YMCA, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist church history, WCTU, cool ephemera, maybe even genealogy leads... Just a super unique pile of stories.

From our chill zone here at Bando Larry Liquidations to yours. Hope this finds a righteous new home base! Any questions, just hit us up. Peace!

Okay, Bando Larry, here is a bulleted list highlighting the key historical or notable references found in the documents, with transcriptions where helpful. You can copy and paste this into an email for your colleague:

  • Prof. George Remington Havens (OSU): The collection originates from the estate of Havens (1890-1977), a significant scholar of 18th Century French Literature at The Ohio State University (1919-1960).

    • Transcription Example (1919 Letter, anticipating career): "...Do they think you are going to live in Cheshire and I in Ohio? At any rate you're not."

  • Post-WWI France (1919): Two letters dated March 30 & April 3, 1919, from Loudun, France, provide a personal perspective on life for American personnel shortly after the Armistice.

    • Transcription Example (Location/Date): "Loudun, March 30, 1919,"

  • YMCA / Foyer du Soldat: Havens' 1919 letters are written on official letterhead ("LE FOYER DU SOLDAT / Union Franco-Américaine") and mention using their services (cable forwarding via Paris office). This highlights the role of support organizations for soldiers.

  • Mrs. E. J. Curtis Journal (1928): A detailed personal journal belonging to Prof. Havens' mother-in-law, documenting family life, travel, and social/religious engagement in 1928.

  • Methodist Episcopal Church Life (1928): The journal provides insights into M.E. church activities in Columbus, OH, and potentially CT, including sermons (Dr. Tucker), Bible Classes (Mrs. Curtis teaching), specific groups ("Crusaders"), and interest in Methodist authors/missionaries (E. Stanley Jones, Dan Brummitt).

  • Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) (1928): Journal documents Mrs. Curtis's active involvement, preparing materials and joining a local group.

  • Notable Authors & Books (1920s): Journal "Books wanted" list references significant contemporary authors discussing religion, missions, and social issues: E. Stanley Jones, Dan Brummitt, H.R.L. Sheppard, Sherwood Eddy, Edward Steiner, Julia Darrow Cowles, E. Herman.

  • Protestant Missionary Movement (Early 20th C.): Pamphlets cover Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian missions in Africa (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Congo).

    • Pamphlet publishers include Methodist Episcopal WFMS (Boston), American Baptist FMS (NY), Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions (NY).

  • Jean Kenyon Mackenzie (1874-1936): Author of the Presbyterian pamphlet "Some African Children"; a noted missionary writer known for her work in West Africa.

  • Specific Missionaries Named: Pamphlets mention Susan Collins (Angola/Iowa), Martha Drummer (Angola, Clark U./RN grad), Ruth McDiarmid (Congo), and others (Cilicia Cross, Roush, Thomas, Clark).

  • Post-WWI Missionary Context: Pamphlet mentions increased "thirst for education... since the war" in Africa.

  • US Locations & Family Network (1928): Journal maps presence/travel: Columbus, OH (incl. OSU area, Grandview Heights, Indianola Presbyterian Church); Shelter Island Heights, NY (visiting Havens' mother); Connecticut (Forestville, Waterbury, North Woodbury, Nichols). Mentions many family/friends: Edward (Rev.?) Curtiss, Dwight Curtiss, Frances [?], Louise Havens, George Havens, Mrs. Havens Sr., Aunt Emily, Judge Rosemond, Dr. Tucker, etc.

  • European Travel/Havens Research: Unused postcard of Geneva, Switzerland (Quai des Bergues) potentially relates to Havens' research on Rousseau/Voltaire. Ostend, Belgium postcard also present.

  • Early 20th C. Advertising: J. A. Sexauer Mfg. Co. plumbing ephemera (c. 1930) shows contemporary trade marketing.

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