Name/Title
Scrapbooks of Meda Mecartney, 1940-1964Entry/Object ID
2020.58.1Description
Acc. No. 20.58.1 A, B, C
Subject Category: Citizens of Alameda
Date or Period: 1940-1964
Object: Scrapbooks
Description: 3 scrapbooks.
A. Once a spiral bound book, identical front and back, with image of a city - modeled after New York? - with an airplane above, on an overpass the words "Spirit of Progress", and in the air the caption "Scrapbook".
The thin, rusty, metal spiral has cut through all the pages, and has come off entirely.
Size: L 15 x W 10 3/4 inches.
B. Book, once softbound, but now many pages have detached, front and back cover identical, white polka-dots on a black background, with the words "Scrap Book" on two lines diagonally across. Spine of light moss green.
Size: L 15 1/4 X 10 1/2 inches.
C. Book with image of multi-colored floral bouquet on white background on front, with caption 'Scrapbook', back cover blue with white floral design, red spine.
Many blank pages.
Size: L 15 X W 10- 3/4 inches.
History of Object:
Scrapbooks of Meda Mecartney (23 May 1874 - 9 September 1964), daughter of Bay Farm Island pioneer farmer Amos Mecartney. The books date from around 1940 to her death in 1964. Initially it seems scrapbook A had more of a focus on art, and B. was more family oriented, with C the continuation of A, but it seems in later years clippings and brochures were inserted randomly.
Elements relating to Alameda:
A. has an obituary of H.W. Davidson, who married Jean, originally from 1216 Versailles Ave., and a clipping about Golden Anniversary of former Alamedans Mr and Mrs Pingtree. Also includes a booklet on termite damage control.
B. has possible pictures of McCartney family members, but no identification. Includes postcards send by 'Kitty' from Europe (possibly a daughter of her sister Amoslita, who married Louis E. Aubert of Paris), and 'Guthrie', which would likely be her foster-son (US Census 1920; 45-year old Meda lived at 2517 College Avenue, Berkeley, with 16-year old foster-son Guthrie Sayle Courvoisier.)
Also has pictures articles about original Walt Disney's Snow White cell art being sold by Guthrie Courvoisier in his art gallery, as of 1938.
Further includes a Program from the Alameda Little Theater, 1951-1952 Season.
C. Includes a clipping from an unknown newspaper, headlined "Youthful Bay Farm Islanders of 1897", and a photo of the original Bay Farm Island School. Possibly Meda and her four sisters, Pearl, Amoslita, Mignon and Lita attended this school.
The scrapbooks ended up in possession of the donor, a descendant of the Cohen family, upon the death of her grandmother, who was friends with Meda Mecartney.
Acquired From: Marily Rimmer
Donated: October 8, 2020
Cataloged: October 15, 2020
