Autograph Albums
June 09

"To keep my friends
Is my delight
So in this book
I pray you'll write"

Rummaging through books at a flea market I came across an old autograph book dated 1937 with the above poem on the first page. The owner of the book was Kay and sometimes she was called Catherine. The pages of the book are crisp and new because it was barely used. I found only five writings.

Only five entries but enough to spark my imagination. Who was Kay? Who was Norman c/o The Red Ensign Club, London, England?

The initials M B C are written several times by the writer's names. What do these initials stand for?

Old books always raise my curiosity level and make me dream of what was and who was and why...?

Finding this book prompted me to look again at my three autograph albums. The first one was given to me as a Christmas gift in 1956. I was eight years of age and I think the book must have meant lots to me at that time because every page contains an autograph. It has withstood the years and is in good condition.

It brings back memories of people whom I knew as a child and questions about people who have escaped my memory. One of my favourites is this:
Hare Bay
January 18, 61
Love makes the world go around. Especially in the Salvation Army School Hare Bay.
D. House

In 1958 I received a new autograph book for Christmas. Many of the entries here were written in 1965 when I was a patient at the Sanatorium in St. John's due to having contacted tuberculosis.
Sunday August 1, 1965
Cheer up. Hope your stay here will be short and hope you will be contented and happy and please God when you leave you will be cured after your good rest at the san.
Sincerely
Mrs. Effie Adams
Port Rexton

I was in the San for five months so in August 1965 I received another autograph album. The album is filled with poems but the last one is written in July, 1966. I was home and ready to start my first job by that time.
July 14, 1966
Dear Ruth
When you get old
and grown out of
shape,
Remember the girdles
are $3.98.

Love Janet

Autograph albums have been around for over a hundred years. Today, I don't think they are important with the modern technology that keeps youngsters occupied.

For me and my friends it was just another old fashion way to have fun and today it is like my little history book reminding me of my life and my friends.

The last one I will quote is from my sister Anne:

Dec 29, 1965
Dear Ruth
U,R,2,Sweet
2,b
____________
4 gotten

Love Anne

Ruth Collins-Larson
17 Walter Havill drive
Halifax
Nova Scotia
B3N 3H4
[email protected]
902-431-6283

PS. I was born in Hare Bay, Bonavista Bay and lived there until 1965. I lived in Wabush and Labrador City from 1965.

The photo is of me and my sister Anne Collins-Brown - swinging was so much fun!
  Submitted By: Ruth Collins-Larson