School Scrapbook The 'Happy School Days' of Helen Gallagher at Burdett College, Boston, Massachusetts, 1932-1934

Chicago: The Reilly & Lee Co, 1934. A charming scrapbook kept by Helen Gallagher during her years as a student at Burdett College in the early 1930s. Burdett College was formally known as Burdett School of Business, and closed in 1999. The scrapbook is filled with mementos, letters and cards, clipping from school newsletters and local papers, invitations, notes about events, theater tickets and programs, autographs and more. It includes an "Eclipse-o-scope" for viewing the sun on August 3, 1932 when there was a total solar eclipse. In the book is the one and only letter sent to Helen by her mother evident by the inscription Helen writes on the envelope (truncated) "only letter from my mother." While most of the newspaper clippings are small announcements, such as a graduation party and who attended, one is of all of First Ladies as they send their sympathies to Grace Coolidge, the wife of President Calvin Coolidge upon his death. Additionally, while the "My Class" section in the front of the book also lists Boston University listed under colleges attended with the dates 1930-1934, there is little ephemera to support this. Overall, it is an interesting view of college life at that time.

The scrapbook itself was published by The Reilly & Lee Co, and was designed and illustrated by Helen A Haselton. 9" x 6 1/4" Covers show minor edge wear and are soiled. Interior pages are toned. Binding is cracked and loose, but intact. (Inventory #: 27003102)