By Her Own Hand Rare Books & Manuscripts by Women By Her Own Hand 121 E. Union St., Pasadena, Ca 91103 Phone: (626) 714-7720 www.WhitmoreRareBooks.com By Her Own Hand Rare Books & Manuscripts by Women 121 E. Union St., Pasadena, Ca 91103 · Tel. (626) 714-7720
[email protected] www.WhitmoreRareBooks.com Books Termsmay be reserved by email:
[email protected] and by phone: (626) 714-7720 We welcome you to come visit our shop during normal business hours: 121 E. Union St., Pasadena, Ca 91103 For our complete inventory, including many first editions, signed books and other rare items, please visit our website at: www.WhitmoreRareBooks.com Follow us on social media! @WRareBooks @whitmorerarebooks whitmorerarebooks Archive of 10 handwritten diaries of Sarah Ann Sargent, 1882-1912. p. 24 2 Introduction “We were once fam’d in Story; Cou’d govern, nay cou’d fight. We still have Valour. So pray tell me then: Why should Women not write as well as men?” --Aphra Behn Women have had a hand in shaping history, through their roles as activists, educators, laborers, scientists, artists, and intellectuals. The writing they leave behind is a physical and lasting manifestation of their ideas. It teaches us about the diversity of their experiences and desires; and it guides us in building and improving upon their work. By Her Own Hand is a celebration of manuscript and print materials by women. The rare documents gathered here speak to women’s complex identities, and to how women infuse themselves into their efforts to improve the world. Some women, like Aphra Behn, Lydia Huntley Sigourney, and Angelina W.