Last year, I participated in CrowdsourceHerBook: Women's book history and participatory science – an experiment. Overseen by Charlotte Epple, a PhD fellow at the University of Southern Denmark, it ran from March to December and involved sourcing images of "women-owned books printed before 1900 in private ownership."
It was an enjoyable experience. My only regret was that I learned of the project too late to have contributed more than a few titles before it came to an end.
On the other hand, I didn't have much to offer. Canadian books dominate my library, the vast majority dating from the twentieth-century. Few of the two hundred or so titles printed before 1900 bear signatures or other identifying marks of former owners. More often than not, those that do appear to have been owned by men – but there are exceptions. My favourite is the first I submitted.
I've written about Margaret Murray Robertson's Christie Redfern's Troubles in the pages of Canadian Notes & Queries, and have spoken about the author and her novel since. First published in 1866, my copy likely dates from about 1892.
What had intrigued for so long was its bookplate:
Encouraged by the project, I found far more about young Katie Seymour than expected. You can read about it through this link.
I was nowhere near so successful in tracking down Lulu Bird – presuming that was her actual name – who on Valentine's Day, 1900 received this first edition of Frank Norris's 1899 novel Blix. Of all the inscriptions in my library, this is by far my favourite.
Ownership of this copy of The Bastonnais, John Lesperance's 1877 historical novel set during the 1775 and 1776 invasions of Canada, proved every bit as challenging.
I like to think that I narrowed the field, but "Lizzie Beaty" wasn't much to go on.
I also think of Jennie Jones, "a scholar in the Methodist Sunday School." In 1898, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Church presented her with a copy of W.H. Withrow's The King's Messenger; or, Lawrence Temple's Probation "as an acknowledgement of the diligence and fidelity in collection Funds for the Missionary Society."
Jennie Jones' copy of The King's Messenger would've been my next CrowdsourceHerBook submission.
The seed has been planted. I must know more!
