Here are a few pages from Clara Jensen’s autograph book. She was born January 2, 1883, and it looks like she started keeping it in her late teens and early 20s.
History of autograph books
“Traditionally they were exchanged among friends, colleagues, and classmates to fill with poems, drawings, personal messages, small pieces of verse, and other mementos. Their modern derivations include yearbooks, friendship books, and guest books.
“They were popular among university students from the 15th century until the mid-19th century, after which their popularity began to wane as they were gradually replaced by yearbooks. Today’s autograph books are typically found in the hands of children collecting signatures from their favorite cartoon celebrities in amusement parks.” (Wikipedia)
One of the first entries in the autograph book is a 1902 entry by R. L. Douchenty. The word “tillen” in Sweedish mean “with regard” so “gill tillen” probably mean “with best regards”.
The next page and the cute sayings come from Clara’s her sisters Flora Fiander and Susie Fiander, in 1905 and 1902 respectively.
Images courtesy of June Carney.
Click on images to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 