Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Primary Collecting Areas:
American literature, antiquarian and contemporary, American history (Southeastern United States), Virginiana, British literature, Sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, Bibliography, the book arts, history of the book and typography
Fine press and artist’s books, Pop-up books, Victorian publishers bindings, Typography, Archives of the University of Virginia
Description:

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, and 325,000 rare books, as well as approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than 250,000 photographs and small prints; over 8,000 reels of microfilm; and substantial holdings of audio recordings, motion picture films, and ephemera.

The major emphasis of the Department’s collections are American history and literature, with additional substantive collections in Virginiana, British literature, African-American history, book arts, the history of sporting and World War I, among others. In addition, the library serves as the University Archives, holding records of historic significance to UVA.

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Start Over Repository University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept. Creator Abbit, John R.
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Leaves from the War Diary of a Cootie, 1918

.03 Cubic Feet 1 letter folder

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. The spine is punched with grommets and bound with red ribbon. The dedication page is typed in red ink, 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." The narration is from the point of view of the louse, and there are fifteen entries in 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.

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Leaves from the War Diary of a Cootie, 1918 .03 Cubic Feet 1 letter folder

Abbit, John R.

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. The spine is punched with grommets and bound with red ribbon. The dedication page is typed in red ink, 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." The narration is from the point of view of the louse, and there are fifteen entries in 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.

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