All Items 44 Collection 1 Archives & Special Collections 44 Contributor 2 Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958 6 Nelson, Elmer H., 1878-1930 1 Topic 20 Imaginary places 44 Juvenile fiction 43 Adventure and adventurers 23 Imaginary wars and battles 15 Indians of North America 7 Agriculture 5 Frontier and pioneer life 4 Hunting 4 Flags 3 Land settlement 3 Pictorial works 3 Trapping 3 Fairs 2 Geography 2 Naval battles 2 Skating 2 Agricultural exhibitions 1 Animal attacks 1 Blacks 1 Boatbuilding 1 show more 15 show fewer Part Of 1 Nelson Family Juvenilia Collection of Pamela Russell and Murray McClellan 44 Genre 12 Children's literature 44 Periodicals 22 Booklets 19 Children's art 3 Fragments 2 Manuscript maps 2 Robinsonades 2 Editorials 1 Gazetteers (dictionaries) 1 Inventories 1 Juvenile fiction 1 Sketch maps 1 show more 7 show fewer Subject 20 Imaginary places – Juvenile fiction 44 Adventure and adventurers – Juvenile fiction 23 Imaginary wars and battles – Juvenile fiction 15 Indians of North America – Juvenile fiction 7 Agriculture – Juvenile fiction 5 Frontier and pioneer life – Juvenile fiction 4 Hunting – Juvenile fiction 4 Flags – Pictorial works – Juvenile fiction 3 Land settlement – Juvenile fiction 3 Trapping – Juvenile fiction 3 Fairs – Juvenile fiction 2 Geography – Juvenile fiction 2 Naval battles – Juvenile fiction 2 Skating – Juvenile fiction 2 Agricultural exhibitions – Juvenile fiction 1 Animal attacks – Juvenile fiction 1 Blacks – Juvenile fiction 1 Boatbuilding – Juvenile fiction 1 Brigands and robbers – Juvenile fiction 1 Catholics – Juvenile fiction 1 show more 15 show fewer The America [sic] family Robbinso [sic] Nelson, Elmer H., 1878-1930 An adventure story written by Elmer Nelson that was inspired by works like Swiss Family Robinson (1812) and Robinson Crusoe (1719). In the story, the characters Jimmy and Alice go sailing and spot an island. They decide to explore the island and encounter sharks and monkeys as they go about securing food and shelter. Arthur Nelson wrote a second volume that continues this story, which is labeled on the cover as volume 2. Although there is no volume number on this story by Elmer Nelson, it has been inferred that it is volume 1. The America [sic] family Robbinso [sic] The rough it club, or, The famous gulf city club Attributed to William Little, the alter ego of Arthur Nelson, "The Rough Club" tells the story of a rivalry between the Red Bud Boys and the Gulf City Club and takes place in the imaginary world of the Nelson brothers. Hutch Harvard is the leader of the Red Bud Boys and Jimmy Allen (son of the Nelson brothers' character Ethan Allen) leads the Gulf City Club, also known as the Rough It Club. The story follows two main narratives. First is the tale of Jimmy Allen and the Rough It Club pursuing a bank robber. The Rough It Club pursues the outlaw over one thousand miles and is aided along the way by a whaling ship and a schooner from Big Continent. The Rough It Club is able to sneak up on and board the criminal's vessel and bring it back to Gulf City. The second narrative follows the rivalry between the two clubs. The rivalry begins with a boat competition and escalates to a battle by the end of the book. The cover indicates it was "published by Green and Little," the Nelson brothers' fictitious publishing house representing the alter egos of Elmer and Arthur Nelson respectively, and the book features both color and pencil drawings. The rough it club, or, The famous gulf city club Gazetter [sic] of the world One of the longer works by the Nelson brothers, "The Gazetter of the World" is formatted like real reference works the boys would have seen. With a cover page, a subject index, a preface by the editor and appendixes for maps and statistics, the volume gives ample evidence of the Nelson brothers' careful attention to the details of their imaginary world. Included are detailed entries describing the places that feature prominently in their fictional works. The text is enhanced by finely done ink drawings which, as the unnamed editor explains in the preface, "help to show to the readers the lands through which they pass in their reading." Gazetter [sic] of the world Map and facts about the Nelson brothers' imaginary world An unattributed and seemingly unfinished piece about the four continents that comprise the Nelson brothers' imaginary world, composed on a sheet of paper originally folded in half. A map on the exterior shows the eastern hemisphere including Long Continent, Round Continent and Forest Continent. The item may be the beginnings of a primer as the text on the inside appears to be a brief lesson regarding the geography of this world. The text and a small map on the inside include mention of Big Continent as well. Map and facts about the Nelson brothers' imaginary world Sunny Shore (editorials) The editorials section of the Nelson brothers' periodical, "Sunny Shore," presented in a two-column format. The first editorial praises the Sunny Shore farmland as being fertile and plenty. The writer suggests that every eager farmer come over to Sunny Shore to start their farms. The second editorial is a short contrasting piece about the failure of the writer's farm and his desire to give it up. Included is a brief section covering news from Long Continent. Fictional advertisements fill the rest of the pages. Advertisements include, The Swifter bicycle, a musical catalogue, "The Bulletin of the Plains" (another periodical), Lightning Canoes and Floweret Guns. Sunny Shore (editorials) The war news, 1895 June 24 An issue of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring military news of their fictional characters and places, presented in a three-column format and published by their fictitious enterprise, the War News Pub. Co. This issue opens with a detailed account of the Great Battle by Ethan Allen. In this battle that involves much of the Nelson brothers' world, Ethan Allen leads his troops to victory while instilling fear in his enemies. The issue concludes with summaries of war-related new from New Poplington, United Division, and Big Continent. The war news, 1895 June 24 The weekly telegram An undated issue of one of the Nelson brothers' periodicals featuring news of their fictional characters and places, presented in a two-column format. The cover indicates the periodical was "published by The Telegram Publishing Co.," one of several fictitious Nelson brothers' enterprises. This issue opens with a detailed spotlight on Allenstown. There are drawings and descriptions of major Allenstown buildings including the recently opened Allenstown Fair and much of the issue is devoted to covering the fair. Prizes from the agricultural tent are detailed and there is a descriptive account of a parade in the town center. The remainder of the issue covers news briefs from around the Nelson bothers' world including exploration, agriculture and development. The weekly telegram Nelson brothers fragments from a story about Forest Continent Three sections from an unidentified work by one of the Nelson brothers largely concerning the settlement of the fictional Forest Continent. The work begins with a fragment describing the settlement of Forest Continent. The story picks up at the end of a conflict between Long Continent and Big Continent and the settling of Forest Continent. John Little and Samuel Green lead an expedition to check on the settlement and they discover only a few remaining colonists who they lead to the coast and New Poplington. Later, New Poplington is purchased by Ethan Allen of Big Continent. This is followed by chapter 2, titled "United Division. Other Settlements," which tells of the roles of Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt), Ethan Allen and William Little on Forest Continent after its colonization by Big Continent, Long Continent and Round Continent. This chapter describes in detail the land holdings and trade between the three major areas on the new Forest Continent. Chapter 3 titled, "The Blacks. Their Tribes and Customs," describes the history of "the blacks" on Forest Continent and the conflict and battle between them and the settlers. The chapter ends abruptly and appears to be unfinished. Nelson brothers fragments from a story about Forest Continent Chit Chat, [1892] December An issue of "Chit Chat," the fictional illustrated weekly presented in a two-column format published by William J. Little and Ethan F. Allen, the alter egos of Arthur Nelson and Walter Nelson respectively. Included are chapters from the serialized stories, "Skating When It Is Not Fun" and "How the Hunts Became Rich" as well as the story "An Adventure on the Shore of Big Wolf" about an encounter between two trappers and Indians. Also of note is a story told from a girl's point of view, "A Curious Adventure: A Girls Story," in which a young girl recounts her encounter with a rabid dog she is forced to shoot, leading her to conclude that "boys need not think they have all the glory and honor of stories." As with other issues, there are a variety of illustrations, advertisements, poetry, puzzles and other content created and arranged to entertain and inform the boys and girls who are the intended readers. Chit Chat, [1892] December The weekly telegram, 1895 January 23 An issue of the Nelson brothers' periodical "The Weekly Telegram," reporting news from their fictional places and characters, presented in a two-column format. The front page indicates the issue was "published by The Telegram Publishing Co.," one of several fictitious Nelson brothers' enterprises. This issue opens with a detailed account of the settling of Rockburn by William J. Little (Arthur Nelson's alter ego) and ends, to be continued in an unidentified issue. Much of the news in this issue focuses on naval developments and technology with detailed descriptions and illustrations of new ships. Of particular note are two pieces on the political and economic climate. The first piece, "Mr. J. Silver," is a harsh criticism of a greedy man who hordes his wealth and seems to buy his way into office. The second, "The Income Tax," covers the vote for an income tax on the rich. The rich citizens are overjoyed when the tax is not passed. The weekly telegram, 1895 January 23 Nelson brothers fragment from a story about Clumfield's Land Four pages of an unidentified story by one of the Nelson brothers that includes the last page of the first chapter and the first three pages of chapter 2, "The Party Arrive". The story revolves around Clumfield of the imaginary Black Archipelago and the discovery of Clumfield's Land. At the beginning the adventurers must face Indians and unknown lands. After the formation of the colony, the people are ruled by an evil president. The character Jim Jinks eventually pursues and hangs the ousted president. Nelson brothers fragment from a story about Clumfield's Land The western world, number IV The Easter edition of the Nelson brothers' periodical "The World" published by their fictitious publishing company, Brant & Hendryx Publishing Co., contains news and stories of their fictional characters and places. The first story, "The Lost Hunter," takes place in Pantherville where Jack Cook and Franz Park go out hunting. Jack is lost and Franz tracks him through the wilderness. The second story, "Miranda Among the Sugar Makers," tells of Miranda's adventure to Elnathan Scott's sugar orchard. While visiting, Miranda and Bobbie Scott ride the ox cart and Miranda smells something burning. "A Wild Cat Hunt," is an account of Mr. Dubox's encounter with a wildcat taken from the fictional memoir, "Memoirs of Adventures." "A Race for Life" tells the story of cattle ranchers Art Collins and Ray Phelps. Collins and Phelps are driving their cattle to the Fort as they are pursued by Indians. The two ranchers beat the Indians to the fort while driving the cattle to safety. A children's page features a story called "Easter Egg" by Walter Nelson about a little hen laying a white egg for the children to color for Easter. The newspaper concludes with local and foreign news bits from Big Continent, Long Continent, Round Continent and Forest Continent. The last pages feature advertisements for a metal and wood shop as well as for Nelsons' Fine Pansies. The western world, number IV An adventure on Red Rover An illustrated story by William J. Little (the alter ego of Arthur Nelson) in which two boys, Walter Allen and Otho Strong, are held captive in a cave for five days by the ferocious birds inhabiting the mining island of Red Rover. Eventually the boys are rescued by Elmer Green and Arthur Little. The cover reads, "published by Green & Little," one of several fictitious publishing companies created by the Nelson brothers, and based on the alter egos of Elmer and Arthur Nelson. An adventure on Red Rover At the mast This story by an unidentified Nelson brother tells of a sea battle occurring in 1898 between the fictional Chipewa and Big Continent navies. Though undermanned and out-resourced, the Chipewa forces are led by the formidable Captain Harry Nelson. After substantial preparation of their cruiser, the "New York," the crew hopes to finally encounter a Big Continent squadron. After a few quiet days at sea, enemy ships approach at dawn and fire on the New York. Nelson and his men return fire with thirteen-inch guns and prepare for further combat. At this point the story ends abruptly, having set the reader up with expectations for more brave and daring exploits by Captain Nelson and the crew of the New York. At the mast Sunny Shore record The newspaper for the Sunny Shore area in the Nelson brothers' imaginary world is present in a two-column format. In this undated issue, there is a report of a fire in Elm that caused much damage and took many lives. "The Big Fire in Elm" is signed with the initials W.J.L., probably the initials for William J. Little, Arthur Nelson's alter ego. The main story is followed by the condensed news of the week (a section that often appears in the Nelsons' periodicals) and "General Topics of the Times." Topics covered include land developments, agriculture, population, travels and more. The "New Poplington News" section reports news of the area including another victory for Ethan Allen. In addition to the preceding sections, a detailed profile is given of the Lady Nell strawberry encouraging people to visit Sunny Shore and try it for themselves. The issue concludes with a preview of upcoming stories. Sunny Shore record The mountain news, March 11 A March 11 issue from an unidentified year of the Nelson brothers' periodical featuring stories of rugged adventure from around their fictional world. The front page indicates the periodical was "published by W.R. Nelson." This issue, presented in a two-column format, begins with the conclusion of the story "Adventure on New Poplington" by Walter Nelson. In this story the ship Sunbeam faces the Indians, battling them upstream and eventually forcing their retreat. Oval Island features in the "Places of Note" section providing a detailed description of the island along with a map. The Second Battle of Poplington is described in the next feature recounting how Burt Green (sometimes referred to as Birt) and William Little are forced to retreat in defeat. The story is to be continued in a future issue. Concluding this issue is an extensive "Condensed News of the Week" section updating the readers on the explorations, agriculture and battles happening around their world. Included are New Poplington, Big Continent, United Division, Long Continent, Round Continent and Chipewa. The mountain news, March 11 Nelson brothers booklet of flags The Nelson brothers created three booklets with labeled color drawings of flags from their imaginary world. This volume features the flags of various yacht clubs and steamship lines, as well as flags for specific ships from merchant and battle fleets. Initials under the drawings appear to indicate the geographic area associated with the flag. Nelson brothers booklet of flags History of Long Continent Nelson, Arthur W., 1880-1958 One of several fictional histories written by the Nelson brothers to document the development of the imaginary world they were creating. Written by Arthur Nelson, this history describes battles and other key events in the history of Long Continent. Two full-page color illustrations have been taped into the fold on smaller scraps of paper. The first is captioned "William J Little" and the second is captioned "Birt S Green" (sometimes referred to as Burt), the alter egos of Arthur Nelson and Elmer Nelson, respectively. Walter Nelson's alter ego, Ethan Allen, is not pictured although he and his men are described as having fought bravely. History of Long Continent Nelson brothers booklet of flags The Nelson brothers created three booklets with labeled color drawings of flags from their imaginary world. The flags in this volume are labeled only with initials, making it hard to say with precision which continent, island, fleet or other part of their imaginary world the flags are meant to represent. Using a variety of symbols and formats, the Nelson brothers have created a series of flags that serve as interesting visual aids for understanding their imaginary world. Nelson brothers booklet of flags Steam boat inventory with maps An unattributed detailed inventory for a steam boat is given, including supplies and weaponry, along with dimensions of bodies of water and other geographic features of an unidentified fictitious continent created by the Nelson brothers. On the verso are two detailed maps of unidentified islands. The top map has the words "no good" written across it. Steam boat inventory with maps
