Leaves from the War Diary of a Cootie
Content Description
This collection contains an illustrated manuscript by John R. Abbit that tells the comic story of a mother louse and her children traveling across the bodies of American soldiers in the First World War. The manuscript measures 6 X 5 inches and contains thirty-one pages in its original blue wrappers and the spine is punched with grommets and bound with red ribbon. The dedication page is typed in red, and the volume contains fifteen pen-and-ink drawings initialed "J. R. A.," interleaved with facing, the verse is typed in red and black. The cover, handwritten in black and red ink, reads "Leaves from the War Diary of a Cootie Transcribed by John R. Abbit." The dedication reads "To the many soldiers on whom I have lived and with whom I have fought. Parisita Pediculus Vestmenti." Written from the point of view of the louse, there are fifteen entries to the diary. Each entry contains a dated typed diary entry detailing the life and experiences of the lice family and a pen and ink illustration based on the report. The narrative unfolds during September 1918. We follow the lice family as they move to the front lines “Thank goodness we have at last reached the Front- A Cooties Rest Cure!” A favored place due to the lack of cleanliness where “Every day in the Trenches improves the flavor of this man.” It continues as the cooties encounter the soldier’s interventions from a “Finger and Thumb” attack to hot water and soap at the hospitals to fleeing wounded soldiers. It humorously communicates valuable information about disease prevention. There is little information about the author-illustrator.
Acquisition Type
Purchase
Provenance
Purchased from Honey and Wax Booksellers, 18 November 2024.
Language of Description
English
Restrictions Apply
No
Dates
- Creation: undated, c.1918
Extent
.03 Cubic Feet (1 letter folder)
Language of Materials
English
Metadata Rights Declarations
- License: This record is made available under an Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons license. The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library of the University of Virginia makes its bibliographic records and the metadata contained therein available for public use under the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Designation.
Inventory
1 item