Finding aid for the Cecile R. Parker letter and liberated woman die-cut 6183
Bo Doub
USC Libraries Special Collections
2019 March
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Cecile R. Parker letter and liberated woman die-cut
creator:
Parker, Cecile R.
Identifier/Call Number: 6183
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
1 folder
Date: 1874, circa 1900
Abstract: The Cecile R. Parker letter and liberated woman die-cut consists of two items relating to women's history during the American
Victorian and Edwardian eras. The first item is an 1874 letter from Cecile R. Parker to Mrs. Evaline Price regarding Parker's
marriage, divorce, and her new life after leaving her former husband. The second item is a two-part advertising embossed die-cut
portraying a woman wearing bloomers and riding a bicycle. The die-cut was created circa 1900 and includes an advertisement
for Celluloid Starch on the reverse side.
Two items: (i) an 1874 letter from Cecile R. Parker to Mrs. Evaline Price regarding Parker's marriage, divorce, and her new
life after leaving her former husband and (ii) an embossed die-cut advertisement, created circa 1900, portraying a woman wearing
bloomers and riding a bicycle.
Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Cecile R. Parker letter and liberated woman die-cut, Collection no. 6183, Special Collections,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Electibles, January 8, 2019.
The Cecile R. Parker letter and liberated woman die-cut comprise an artificial collection. The two items in the collection
are only related by subject and immediate source of acquisition. Cecile R. Parker, the author of the 1874 letter, had no role
in the creation or collection of the liberated woman die-cut.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cycling for women -- United States -- Archival resources
Divorce -- United States -- 19th century -- Archival resources
Marriage -- United States -- 19th century -- Archival resources
Women -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Archival resources
Women -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Advertisements
Personal correspondence
Parker, Cecile R. -- Archives
Folder 1
Personal correspondence from Cecile R. Parker to Mrs. Evaline Price 1874 August 30
Cecile R. Parker. Personal Correspondence Disgruntled Woman Regarding Her Marriage, Her Leaving, and Her New Life. 1874. This
14 page letter to Mrs. Evaline Price does little to mask exactly how happy the writer is to have left her husband and how
unhappy she was before she did. Her contempt for the man comes through as she reflects on how much better she now feels, like
"a bird out of its cage". "Jos has remarked to several of my friends that he would be so glad if I would come back... I don't
know what he takes me for.. it is solid comfort & the greatest relief I ever experienced to be where I can't see him" .. "what
a terrible thing it is for a woman to be driven to that point that she hates a man she has called her husband for nearly twenty
two years -- that feeling was mine for a long time, now that he is out of mind, the feeling has toned itself down to indifference."
Despite him wanting her to return, she has left her husband behind and does not want to go back. There is no doubt in her
mind that she did the right thing for herself, and has started a happier life. Measures 10" x 8". According to a previous
owner, probably from Hot Springs, Arkansas to Columbia, Missouri.
Folder 1
Liberated woman on bicycle die-cut advertisement circa 1900
Two part advertising embossed die-cut - Edwardian Liberated Women. Celluloid Starch Co. New Have CT. circa 1900. A die-cut
women wearing her hair pulled up under her hat, her puffed sleeve blouse and bloomers to ride on the tent-style self-standing
bicycle. The reverse promotes Celluloid Starch. Measures 5" x 5". A popular topic and important influencer of the time. The
women wearing bloomers, liberating her to ride a bicycle and not have to rely on others to travel about. Most images of women
on bicycles from this area have contented looks.