292

Brooke Russell [Astor].

Diary as a young American girl in Peking and on the "grand tour."

Peking, China and elsewhere, 1 January to 8 November 1913
[74] manuscript diary pages plus [15] pages of memoranda. 12mo, 4½ x 3 inches, original limp calf, moderate wear; minimal wear to contents; signed twice on front endpapers as "Brooke Russell."

  • Notes:
    This diary was kept by a 10-year-old girl named Roberta Brooke Russell, daughter of an American Marine Corps commander in China. She later became known as Brooke Astor (1902-2007), a legendary philanthropist and icon of New York's high society. 

    This diary has almost daily entries from 1 January through 13 July 1913, with more sporadic entries through 8 November. She begins the diary by noting her father's official capacity: "Peking, China. Father commanding American Legation guard." The entries describe her schooling and family life. Recreational activities include skating, dolls, and theatrical performances. 

    Her pets are also frequently mentioned: dogs named Gip and Fido, and a pony named Ginger. At one point she mentions: "I hate the small dog. He has bitten my diary and I slaped him" (11 February). The outer corners of the binding do appear to have bite marks!

    Typical entries read: "I went for a long walk on the Wall with the dogs" (6 January); "Began school. Only two people came" (8 January). "Mrs. Williams scolded me. I came home and cried and burned my novel. Alas!" (24 January). "Went to the Winter Palace. Saw a lovely jade Buddha, had a lovely time" (3 February). She attended the funeral of the Empress Dowager Longyu on 18 March (see the memoranda section). 

    Brooke's father was transferred from Peking effective 30 April, so many of the April entries describe frantic packing and farewells. On 22 April, "Mother and Father quareled at lunch." The family embarked on a tour of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang (Malaysia), Colombo ("had Ceylon curry"), the Suez Canal ("very interesting, but there are many flies"), the Holy Land, France, and London, before reaching New York on 21 July.

    Excerpts from this diary were published in the 1993 illustrated edition of Astor's memoir "Patchwork Child," pages 93-94. The book also discusses many of the events and people in this diary in greater depth, providing helpful context. For example, her friend Gwladys is mentioned dozens of times; the book explains that she was the daughter of a Welsh-American missionary couple, and describes their friendship in greater detail (page 84). 

    With--two photographs of young Brooke. One is from circa the period of this diary, 4 x 2¼ inches, showing Brooke with a Chinese woman, captioned on verso "Brooke & Amah. Look at the feet!" Amah was a Chinese woman hired by her parents to serve as a companion; she appears frequently in "Patchwork Child." The other photograph shows Brooke as a young woman, 2½ x 3½ inches, seated in a garden with a dog; it is inserted into a small leather display sleeve. 

    Provenance: estate of Astor's daughter-in-law Charlene Marshall; Millea Bros. auction, 18 July 2025, lot 3258. 
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November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
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