William Lines Havrah Hubbard (1 results)

Condition: Good. On offer is a sensational archive of two [2] manuscript items historical on a number of levels: the first item is the personal travel diary handwritten by William Lines [Havrah] Hubbard, noted expert, lecturer and author on the world Opera. Very well filled, nearly every inch of space is densely covered with his small legible cursive handwriting. Hubbard was the music critic for the Chicago Tribune and author of a definitive 11 volume work on the history of opera which was published in 1908. [Accompanying Hubbard and his family was his companion Julia A. Read whose personal diary of this extended voyage we list separately.] The second item is a notebook that Hubbard used as a photo album with many detailed descriptions and entries adding tremendous depth to the album. These two items of Hubbard's personal history were created from February 1932 through January 1934. Historians and collectors of Opera and related artistic disciplines will find a treasure trove as Hubbard proves to be a superb diarist. The travel journal, 190pp, makes for fascinating reading given the scope of these diaries of almost two full years of travel and visits and experiencing the high, artistic life only one so prominent as Hubbard could access with the added luck of Hubbard having Albert Einstein for many weeks as his ship board neighbor. The reader learns that on March 2, 1932 Hubbard was aboard the M.S. San Francisco and in Los Angeles he found himself in the cabin next to Albert Einstein and his first wife Elsa who at the height of his career and world fame set off on a vacation to their German homeland. [Einstein often traveled by this means as it was very relaxing and it reminded him of his love for sailing.] The author notes his encounters with Albert and Elsa Einstein. "Monday Mar 12 was Prof. Einstein's birthday their table was decorated with 3 vases of Easter and Tiger lilies which the Capt had ordered from La Libertad, with a birthday card and many cards & letters. Mrs. came in first then the Prof, we gave hand clapping in welcome and they were like two happy children. Sunday April 3 Prof E reading Philosophies and enthusiastic over it. Had chat at table with Dr. about music etc. Tuesday April 5 Had stroll with Prof. E & discussions of economic conditions. Believes employment is the solution to the problem. Sunday 10 Watched Election returns until 11:30 Conrads sympathizes with Hitler" and much, much more. Further entries on a number of topics and Hubbard's personal observations his noting the opinions of his c0-travelers including the politics of the day, conditions in Depression era, pre-Nazi, early Hitler Germany and researchers and collectors of Einstein will appreciate that this was a critical junction in the great man's life. To quote one online source: "1932 - While at age 53, Einstein is at the height of his fame. However, he begins to feel the heat of Nazi Germany because he is identified as a Jew. This is part of the reasoned that Albert wrote the letter to President Roosevelt in 1939. He was concerned that Nazi Germany would have a sole power of destruction." Also: "He went so far as to authorize the establishment of the Einstein War Resisters' International Fund in order to bring massive public pressure to bear on the World Disarmament Conference, scheduled to meet in Geneva in February 1932. When these talks foundered, Einstein felt that his years of supporting world peace and human understanding had accomplished nothing. Bitterly disappointed, he visited Geneva to focus world attention on the "farce" of the disarmament conference. In a rare moment of fury, Einstein stated to a journalist." Hubbard's journal provides interesting insight into the personal side of the great Scientist as well as the conditions existing in Germany at that time. One online biography notes: William Lines Hubbard (1867-1951) worked off and on from 1891 to 1907 as music critic and editor of the Chicago Tribune -he was also dramatic editor (1902-7)-while.