Ok, I'Ll Do It Myself. Narratives Of Intrepid Women In The American Wilderness. Selections From The Caroline F, Schimmel Collection

CAROLINE F. SCHIMMEL

Publication: Published by Caroline F Schimmel, New York in affiliation with The St Louis Mercantile Library Association, University of Missouri and The Degolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, 2017, New York

First edition. 4to. Boldly inscribed in red ink on the first page and signed as "Caroline." Color perfect bound pictorial stiff wrappers, 93 [3] pp., foreword, introduction, dedication, numerous black & white and color illustrations throughout, index of personal names.

An exhibition from the Caroline F. Schimmel Collection of Women in the American Wilderness was on display at the Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania, Aug. 23 - Nov. 11, 2018, with a conference, "Women's Voices From American Frontiers," Sept. 6-7, 2018.

The 147 books, photographs, manuscripts, and memorabilia by 101 women and one man, dating from 1682 to 2015, are a sampling reflecting the sweep of women's experiences in the American wilderness. They range from "Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium" (1705), Maria Sibylla Merian's monumental study of the flora and fauna of Surinam, this copy hand-printed and probably hand-colored by her; to sharpshooter and entertainer Annie Oakley's travel trunk and gloves, as well as a souvenir envelope which she shot through the one-inch red printed heart after it was thrown in the air some 20 feet away.

Laid-in to this copy is a typed sheet of "Corrections & Additions," a typed sheet of "Suggested Reading" and a typed sheet describing an autographed letter from missionary Myra F. Eells. Fine, bright copy without dust jacket, as issued. An excellent bibliographical source.