[Americana] Wikoff, William M. Manuscript Diaries of Cross-Country Automobile Trips, ca. 1914-25, with Assorted Ephemera

Locations vary, June 17-September 2, 1925. In two volumes. Unpaginated. Manuscript diaries of William M. Wikoff, detailing three separate automobile trips taken by him and his family, each beginning from their hometown of New Salem, Ohio. The first trip to Boston (June 17-July 18, 1914), the second to California (June 22-August 7, 1915), and the third to North Dakota (August 23-September 2, 1925). The diaries record expenses, distances traveled, and other aspects of the trips. Lot includes: three autograph letters written by Wikoff's son Charles to his girlfriend Hazel, during the California trip; 72 black and white photographs of the family on the road (likely from the 1915 trip). Condition varies, generally worn and stained.

A fascinating snapshot of early American cross country road trips, taken by an Ohio family. The author, William M. Wikoff (1855-1935) was a teacher, preacher, member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an avid automobilist who lived in New Salem, Ohio. Wikoff drove his "machine" (as he refers to it) with his family on a number of journeys, stopping in locations such as Cleveland, Buffalo, Syracuse, Boston, Niagara Falls, St. Louis, Albuquerque, the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and many more. He often records notes on stops in prominent cities and landmarks, expenses paid, mechanical work done to the vehicle, and more.

A rare glimpse into early cross-country automobile travel.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.