Selected travel titles from the collections of the American Antiquarian Society

This large and varied collection from the American Antiquarian Society is a veritable treasure trove of historical travel writings, both published and unpublished. Within it are illustrated travel guides, factual as well as fictional travel narratives, and three manuscripts, one of which--Journal of a voyage from Frankfort [Maine] bound to Plymouth [Plymouth, Massachusetts] on board the Schooner Betsey, kept by Hannah B. Drew, 1815-1816--documents a harrowing time spent at sea. Jacob Abbott's Marco Paul and Rollo series of voyages and travels can be found here alongside Oliver Optic's Young America adventures. There are books about travel within the United States--for example, Strangers' guide and map of New Orleans (fifth year): Mardi Gras 1893, which contains a vibrant full-color title page--and books about worldwide travel, detailing adventures in Italy, Palestine, India, Africa, and more. An 1874 Satire on modern travels aims to "check the egotism and conceit of modern tourists," who the author believes embarrass themselves abroad. Also included in this collection is an illustrated 1870 book on aeronautics titled Wonderful balloon ascents; or, The conquest of the skies: a history of balloons and balloon voyages by "Fulgence Marion," a pseudonym for the French astronomer Camille Flammarion. many women authors are represented here; one of the more intriguing titles is Six years experience as a book agent in California: including my trip from New York to San Francisco via Nicaragua, by Mrs. J.W. Likins. In her clever preface, she dedicates the book to her creditors. This collection is an enriching source of material for scholars studying history, art history, the history of advertising, women's studies, cartography, literature, and children's literature.