Melvil Dewey - Handwritten notations on 1908 document, Lake Placid Co. by Dewey, Melvil

Original documents from 1908 with brief notations written by Melvil Dewey, noted librarian and inventor of the Dewey Decimal System. 3 pages: a typed agreement letter on the stationery of the Lake Placid Co. for a huge lumber purchase; an informal typed contract itemizing the lumber bought from Prime, Pulford & Shea of Lake Placid for $2,880.42; and a carbon copy of the letter attached to the back of the contract. Dewey founded the private Lake Placid Club in the 1890s as an exclusive resort destination in the Adirondack Mountains of NY State. The club's prestige and facilities helped bring the Winter Olympics to Lake Placid twice, in 1932 and 1980. These documents are from a time when Dewey's vision was grand, and the Lake Placid Club was growing rapidly. Dewey was actively involved in its daily operations, and he reviewed this contract personally and made brief notations on it. He wrote in black ink "$21" "Nov. 1" (twice) and "L.P. Co." Dewey also added a snippet of shorthand at the bottom of the contract. He used a system of phonetic shorthand called "Lindsley's Tachygraphy," and he often annotated documents and letters in this fashion. (We have not been able to translate the shorthand.) In addition to Dewey's notations, at least two other people appear to have written on the contract. Typical signs of age to both documents, with more browning and creasing to the contract. It measures 9.75 by 7.75 inches, and the letter is slighty smaller. The letter is signed in ink by Asa O. Gallup, treasurer of the Lake Placid Co. Provenance: From the original files of the now-defunct Lake Placid Club. Authenticity guaranteed. A small, but unusual, group of documents with direct connection to Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) and the storied Lake Placid Club.