PBA Galleries

[130] pp. 29.5x24 cm (11½x9½"), original leather-backed marbled boards. manuscript paper spine label.

Marvelous scrapbook kept by a student at the University of California who entered just a dozen years after the founding of the institution. William A. Brewer, who has signed the front pastedown of the scrapbook, dated San Mateo, Cal., Jan. 1881, entered as a freshman that year, graduating in 1885. He was president of the class in his sophomore year, played the piano in chamber groups, belonged to many societies, gave one of the orations at his graduation and was chief business manager for the 1885 Blue and Gold. His father was rector of St. Mathew's Episcopal Church in San Mateo and a noted scholar of theology. Virtually all 130 pages of the scrapbook are filled with material relating to to the University in the years of Brewer's attendance as well as some material related to his personal and family life. Included are news clippings from school and area newspapers and other publications, University announcements of commencement exercises, field days, charter days, literary society meetings and debates, advertisements, Central Pacific Railroad tickets, ferry commuter tickets, San Francisco Philharmonic concert programs, engraved cards of his fellow students,  and more. There are a few cards for California businesses, including Gustav Fagersteen, photographer, which was removed, resulting in some adhesion damage. The scrapbook has the bookplate of Roger K. Larson.