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DOUG, TED, MRS. MOORE et al : 1908 - 1937 ORIGINAL GROUP OF 60+ MANUSCRIPT LETTERS HANDWRITTEN BY SOME 'ARDENT' AND SOME MORE THAN ARDENT LOVERS TO TWO MARYLAND SISTERS AND SOME FROM MOM

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a remarkable, eye opening archive of manuscript love letters for the most part written to two sisters; Geraldine [b.1900] and Dorothy [b. 1894] Moore of Havre de Grace Maryland. Their father was Lester and their mother Isabelle. At one point the family lived in New Jersey but after their father died (circa 1905), mom and the two girls moved to Havre de Grace Maryland to the Burns Apartments. Sometime in the 1930s some of the letters were addressed to South River New Jersey. Given that the letters were for the most part written by adoring suitors, interestingly, both women remained single as per 1940 census records. Of the 100 pieces in the group 60 or so are letters the earliest is from 1908 and the last letter is dated 1937 with the majority from the 1920s. The balance is related ephemera. The letters prove to be an education in early 20th Century romancing. For example one suitor, Douglas Hobart Cushman, who lived in Farmingdale New Jersey wrote to Dorothy. He mentions engagement rings, a house, marriage plans and then nothing. [Douglas does write that until he gets the right job he can't marry her. They have been engaged for a few years too but the 1930 census shows Douglas still living at home and not married. The 1940 census shows him married to a woman by the name of Mildred. We also note that Douglas was, in WWI and WWII a Navy Seal!] Soon after Dorothy gets letters from other men. Geraldine's suitor's letters can be very ardent, almost crossing the romance Rubicon being shockingly steamy: one from the 1920s is 12 pages long from a swain named Ted who is at West Point Academy. Considering the times this letter would be most shocking. There are also letters from their mother, some from friends and other members of the family. Here are some snippets: "Cu-Beu Farm Farmingdale, N. J. Jan. 5th, 1921 Dearest Dorothy,…..Have been looking over two catalogues of houses tonight. Hodgson and Sears and Roebuck houses. Hodgeson houses are portable and Sears and Roebuck are cut to fit. I like the looks of the cut to fit houses better. Can get a cut to fit house for $1,357.00 with as much as 5 years to pay it in. My partner sent for a catalogue of cut to fit houses with drawing of the interior of the houses. Will send you a catalogue of some when I get it…..Much love from your devoted Douglas." "Cu-Beu Farm Farmingdale, N. J. Jan. 7th, 1921 Dearest Dot,….In regards to the veterinary course, I would not be the only veterinary doctor around here as there is a well known veterinary in Freehold and perhaps others too but Dr. Runyon in Freehold is the only one I've ever heard of. Whether I take the course or not the ring and photo will come first. I went to Freehold this morning in the car when my partner took his father to the station there. The car had to be fixed and we stayed around Freehold about an hour waiting. We went into the best jewelry store in town and (there are only 2 jewelry stores in Freehold). I picked out the engagement ring. It is a solitaire diamond with a Tiffany stetting. 14 Karat gold. The diamond is ¼ carets. Don't know whether it is just your size but if you will send me your ring size for that finger I will see that it is made the right size and send same to you some day next week……With much love Douglas." United States Military Academy West Point, New York "Thursday Feb. 28th, 1924 Dearest, G. I found the example you've set in lessening the number of your letters easy to follow……My letters I think will be written in a less passionate tone from now on Dearest. Having two roommates one has little time for loneliness and desires. One is so seldom alone. I shall try to resume my old style dearest of just sweetheart's letters. Twill not find that I am growing cold. The desires will still exist my darling but twill mean that they are sleeping, saving and storing their immensity until thus sweetheart….But surely dearest mine you cannot have wondered whether I would have displayed as insatiable a curiosity for knowledge of such intimacies as your under things and the like had I been with you. And still if you have wondered it has not been without cause. I have been so frank, so confiding. I have not hesitated to tell you anything. You would under those circumstances have been justified in wondering. I can only assure you again Gerry Dearest, that I would never have thought of such things. My desires had I been with you would have been for your voice, your words of love, your eyes, occasionally your sweet moist lips and a close hug, and embrace dearest. Those wonders would have delighted me and those only I would have asked for nothing more…..I think that now I can safely promise not to cause you blushes by any further "declarations of desire" Dearest. I shall save all such until then. I can quite understand your being unable to comprehend my wanting you as I did Dearest. How could you Darling, you a virgin fair and pure. Twould not be seemly did you comprehend before our marriage the meaning of my desires. Then you will learn and I sure beloved you will find delight as well as I in learning. Doubt is unworthy in both of us Dearest, let us forget the possibility of loosing each other. Let us be assured of each others love. Let us forget all but our promises so often given to have forever and a day; our promises of marriage of happiness of understand…..Our correspondence of the last month or two, my correspondence at any rate, has been of a frivolous nature seeking delight in sensual thrills. Let each of us try hence forth to express the fullness of his love seeking ever to impress upon the other the exalted spirit which stirs within his breast…..I love you, your happy Ted." These are merely some snowflakes on the tip of the iceberg as to the fascinating content in the letters these two received. Overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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