Westerly Women in America: A Journey Through the AE Database
- by Julie Carleton
AE DatabaseMidland Notes 69-015
By Julie Carleton
Introduction:
For my part of the TCP project, I chose to collect Women’s Western Travel Narratives. I had an interest in this subject for several reasons. For one, this is a theme that I can personally relate to: I enjoy reading other people’s travel experiences, and I have a historical interest in the “Westward Movement” of the 19th century. As well, I wanted to gain a comprehension of the scope and volume of this type of literature. My goal for this project is to “own” a collection of materials that encompass a broad range of travel narratives, from the diaries of pioneers and homesteaders on the Oregon Trail, to the vacationing lady from the Boston visiting the west for the first time. I wanted this collection to reflect the first hand observations and discoveries of geography, flora, fauna and Native Americans.
Progress of Searches:
At present, I have completed a total of 180 different searches in the AE Database. I have also searched other catalogues such as the Library of Congress and Yale University’s Orbis catalogue. Initially, I had created an initial “Collection List” of approximately 100 titles as a result of these searches; 98 % of these titles came from the AE Database. After experimentation and improvement upon search strategies, I now have a list of 208 titles that have been entered into AE’s “Wants List” Software.
My search strategies have remained fairly consistent throughout the TCP Project. As in last month’s segment, I continue to use my “Keyword List” of “hot” words and phrases such as “overland & narrative*”, either independently or in conjunction with other words in “Primary,” “Advanced,” and “Keyword” Searches. As I find new and interesting titles, I read through the comments and description of the records to find new words to search with. I have noticed that the results of these types of word and phrase combination searches seem to result in approximately 300 or less records.
Another strategy which I adopted was to run very broad searches, using just one or two words for a primary search. I literally plugged in the name of each state and/or territory such as “California” or “Arizona” in the title field. Not surprisingly, these searches often resulted in just fewer than 1500 records. Since 1500 records is the cut-off point for the AE Database retrieval, I wanted to make sure that the searches would be under this amount. If they came out to be more than 1500, then I would immediately add a limiting word such as “travel*” or “emigrant*” to the search in order to get fewer results.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
