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PRIVATE PAPERS OF PRIVATE PURKEY by Phillips (w/ drawings by Alan Dunn) - 1941
Description: The PRIVATE PAPERS of PRIVATE PURKEY by H. I. PHILLIPS, with drawings by Alan Dunn (Hardcover: 122 pages; approx. 8¼" x 5¾")
This humorous little book, published just before the U.S. entered World War II, is comprised of a series of presumably fictitious letters from a Private Oscar Purkey to his mother, describing the wacky world of the U.S. Army as viewed through the eyes of a raw recruit. An example:
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January 28
DEAR MA--I did not write you before becuz there is more work to be done in a army than I thought, so this is just to say I am well except for a little flu, some trouble with my arches and the fact I can't get used to not being able to say okay later when I am told to do something. This is a nice camp for a camp that was started in a hurry and has grown so fast the contractors have lost control.
Training has started, and I guess I am being trained to be a Alaskan letter carrier from all the walking they make me do in snow and ice. A modern rifle arrived in camp today and caused wide attention. We expect to have several in time if there is no strike trouble.
Only the top of my uniform was ready when I got here, but the bottom has arrived now. I am well and hope you are the same. Do not worry about me, mom, as I have to go to bed early and am too busy saluting to get into trouble, although if being in the Army ain't being in trouble I don't know what is.
Love, OSCAR.
P.S. I wish you wood ask Nellie Petersen to write me.
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There are about 30 of these "letters" accompanied by a couple dozen pencil drawings (see example, above).
Published: Harper & Brothers; copyright, 1941, by H. I. Phillips; third edition
Condition: Very fine, I'd say. The covers are only lightly scuffed, but are just slightly warped. The blank pages inside the front and back covers are slightly toned, but the pages in the body of the book are fresh and clean with no apparent tears or creases.
**NOTE**: Shipping charges are discounted when more than one of my items are purchased at the same time. See what else I have to offer!
This humorous little book, published just before the U.S. entered World War II, is comprised of a series of presumably fictitious letters from a Private Oscar Purkey to his mother, describing the wacky world of the U.S. Army as viewed through the eyes of a raw recruit. An example:
------------------
January 28
DEAR MA--I did not write you before becuz there is more work to be done in a army than I thought, so this is just to say I am well except for a little flu, some trouble with my arches and the fact I can't get used to not being able to say okay later when I am told to do something. This is a nice camp for a camp that was started in a hurry and has grown so fast the contractors have lost control.
Training has started, and I guess I am being trained to be a Alaskan letter carrier from all the walking they make me do in snow and ice. A modern rifle arrived in camp today and caused wide attention. We expect to have several in time if there is no strike trouble.
Only the top of my uniform was ready when I got here, but the bottom has arrived now. I am well and hope you are the same. Do not worry about me, mom, as I have to go to bed early and am too busy saluting to get into trouble, although if being in the Army ain't being in trouble I don't know what is.
Love, OSCAR.
P.S. I wish you wood ask Nellie Petersen to write me.
------------------
There are about 30 of these "letters" accompanied by a couple dozen pencil drawings (see example, above).
Published: Harper & Brothers; copyright, 1941, by H. I. Phillips; third edition
Condition: Very fine, I'd say. The covers are only lightly scuffed, but are just slightly warped. The blank pages inside the front and back covers are slightly toned, but the pages in the body of the book are fresh and clean with no apparent tears or creases.
**NOTE**: Shipping charges are discounted when more than one of my items are purchased at the same time. See what else I have to offer!
