J. O. Montignani's pay book: ledger 1867-1868.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Author/Creator:

Montignani, J. O. (John O.), 1826?-1894.

Contributor:

Montignani, J. F. (John Francesco), 1856?-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American diaries--19th century--Specimens.

American diaries.

American diaries--Male authors.

American diaries--New York (State)--Albany--19th century.

Piano--Marketing.

Piano.

Marketing.

Male authors.

Albany (N.Y.)--Social life and customs--19th century.

Albany (N.Y.).

New York (State)--Albany.

Genre:

Manuscripts, American.

Ledgers (account books)

Diaries.

Drawings (visual works)

Specimens.

Penn Provenance:

Sold by Michael Brown Rare Books (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2010.

Physical Description:

1 item (137 leaves)

Other Title:

John Francesco Montignani diary.

Place of Publication:

1867-1868.

Biography/History:

J. O. Montignani was born in Scotland circa 1826; he emigrated to the United States with his wife Elizabeth (b. 1825). Their son, J. F. Montignani, was born in 1856, and they had a daughter named Betsy. The Montignani family lived in Albany, N.Y. J. O. Montignani was a piano maker, repairer, tuner, and merchant; he serviced and sold pianos to both the Albany school district and individuals. In 1865 he patented a carpenter's adze hammer. J. F. Montignani graduated in the Classics division of Albany High School in 1875, then attended Cornell University, graduating in 1879 and becoming a lawyer who practiced in Albany, N.Y.

Summary:

Bound, ruled book with marbleized cover containing a ledger of the accounts of J. O. Montignani's piano business, followed by the brief 1872 diary of his son, J. F. Montignani. An ink drawing of a snake dated 28 November 1872--presumably by J. F. Montignani--is on the end paper preceding the first pay book entry. J. O. Montignani's ledger begins 24 January 1867 and ends 24 September 1868. Drawn columns on 72 numbered pages (the first 36 leaves) list the types of pianos bought and sold, individuals to whom the pianos were sold, payments made by customers, and expenses incurred. The last leaf of the journal lists "bills and drafts to be paid." Leaves 37-50 contain the diary of 16-year old J. F. Montignani commencing 19 February 1872 and ending 14 August 1872. The diary documents the close of J. F. Montignani's school year and his summer in Lake George. He records his birthday, sister's birthday, deaths, relatives, school activities, friends, and his membership in a local club. Included on the last leaf of the diary entries are his poems of love. Two small loose leaves are laid in, one a drawing and the other a short poem. The journal is chiefly blank: two leaves have been torn out after leaf 50, and five leaves torn out after leaf 57; some remnants with writing remain.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Alumni and Friends Memorial Book Fund.

OCLC:

535576777