What I love so much about this antique autograph book, owned by a Louise Popeney and started in 1881, is the wit of many of those who signed it, and how much—like a high school yearbook—it reveals of the times. Among my personal favorites: “Alas, alas, I am so dumb I cannot write in this album,” and “Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.” But there are so many good ones. And on the second to last page, clever Fannie writes “Last of all came Satan,” only to be bested by by H., with “But the Devil comes in last” on the very last page. Plus a few wonderful drawings and some stickers mixed in. Pretty fabulous I think. 

Lovely embossed black cover with gold and silver detail. There is writing on about 55 of the 100 or so pages, just a few of which seem to have been cut out at some point with an exacto. There is some wear to the binding and corners of the cover and some of the writing is a bit faint, but most all of it can be read, and the paper is in good shape. 5" x 7 3/4" x 3/4".