Leon Collver, at 7 years of age with his parents, moved to Cleveland where his father Jay Collver set up a travel and excursion business. There he learned the business of making travel arrangements and conducting tours. In 1890 Leon left Cleveland to accept a position with Thomas Cook and Son. He worked several years as agent in their Boston and New York offices.
Leon became expert in organizing international travel and by 1903 had set up his own business, The Collver Tours Company, of Boston. He specialized in "Exceptional Tours" where he catered to the highest end clientele. He offered trips throughout world and set up voyages to Japan, Burma, Honolulu, Manila, China, Ceylon, India, Egypt as well as England, Portugal, and the Mediterranean region. Trips were from four months up to a year with lengthy excursions at each destination. These were priced from $1,650. to $4,750. providing an "Exclusive Environment at the Highest Possible Plane of Travel." This was considerable money in the early 1900's and Leon took pride that his voyages were priced some 85% higher than an average "first class" tour.
In 1905 he announced the first ever travel agency tour of all South America. His tour was limited to 10 members and was 104 days in length, departing from New York; stopping at Barbados; 15 days in Brazil, a stop at Uruguay, 7 days in Argentina, a stop at the Falklands, through the Straight of Magellan, 13 days in Chile, 7 days in Bolivia including excursions to LaPaz and Lake Titicaca, 5 days to cross Panama with viewing of the U.S. construction of the Canal at the Culebra Cut, then to Kingston Jamaica and returning to New York. Fare was fourteen hundred seventy-five dollars inclusive of all necessary expenses excepting such personal matters as wines, mineral waters and laundry charges, all conducted on the highest possible plane of travel. Leon's tours appealed to travelers of discriminating taste demanding the best obtainable accommodations, hotels, carriages, atmosphere of privacy, all while maintaining an absence of conspicuousness in methods of service.
This writer infers that Leon and Ethel were members of higher level Boston society circles which offered many contacts with high end travel clientele. They lived on Beacon Street; and their properties included a nearby carriage house with an artist's studio for Ethel. They also had a summer home at Marblehead. Their 1906 wedding announcement includes information about Leon's ancestry; reporting his descent from an early Colonial family (Edward Colver, founder of Dedham Mass in 1636; -which is true); and claim of descent from John Winthrop, first Governor of Mass. Bay Colony. The Winthrop middle name established a significant connection in Boston society; and this claim of descent fairly reflects family tradition and belief there was a brief 17th century marriage between members of the Collver and Winthrop families. But this marriage is without proof beyond a strong family tradition. Even if the marriage could be proven, this writer concludes Leon would not fall into this line of descent.
In 1913 Collver Tours was forced to bankruptcy due to a creditor's pursuit of its bank assets. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where company assets were successfully defended but reputation had suffered. Meanwhile Leon joined the highly respected International travel company of Raymond & Whitcomb who provided tours for well-heeled travelers and included construction of destination hotels. Their high-end world-wide excursions were advertised as "The Collver Idea with Raymond & Whitcomb Methods". By 1916 Leon was Vice-President in Boston in charge of international travel.
Leon wrote many travel brochures and articles; as well as, writing "The Pocket History of Fort Lauderdale".
Leon became expert in organizing international travel and by 1903 had set up his own business, The Collver Tours Company, of Boston. He specialized in "Exceptional Tours" where he catered to the highest end clientele. He offered trips throughout world and set up voyages to Japan, Burma, Honolulu, Manila, China, Ceylon, India, Egypt as well as England, Portugal, and the Mediterranean region. Trips were from four months up to a year with lengthy excursions at each destination. These were priced from $1,650. to $4,750. providing an "Exclusive Environment at the Highest Possible Plane of Travel." This was considerable money in the early 1900's and Leon took pride that his voyages were priced some 85% higher than an average "first class" tour.
In 1905 he announced the first ever travel agency tour of all South America. His tour was limited to 10 members and was 104 days in length, departing from New York; stopping at Barbados; 15 days in Brazil, a stop at Uruguay, 7 days in Argentina, a stop at the Falklands, through the Straight of Magellan, 13 days in Chile, 7 days in Bolivia including excursions to LaPaz and Lake Titicaca, 5 days to cross Panama with viewing of the U.S. construction of the Canal at the Culebra Cut, then to Kingston Jamaica and returning to New York. Fare was fourteen hundred seventy-five dollars inclusive of all necessary expenses excepting such personal matters as wines, mineral waters and laundry charges, all conducted on the highest possible plane of travel. Leon's tours appealed to travelers of discriminating taste demanding the best obtainable accommodations, hotels, carriages, atmosphere of privacy, all while maintaining an absence of conspicuousness in methods of service.
This writer infers that Leon and Ethel were members of higher level Boston society circles which offered many contacts with high end travel clientele. They lived on Beacon Street; and their properties included a nearby carriage house with an artist's studio for Ethel. They also had a summer home at Marblehead. Their 1906 wedding announcement includes information about Leon's ancestry; reporting his descent from an early Colonial family (Edward Colver, founder of Dedham Mass in 1636; -which is true); and claim of descent from John Winthrop, first Governor of Mass. Bay Colony. The Winthrop middle name established a significant connection in Boston society; and this claim of descent fairly reflects family tradition and belief there was a brief 17th century marriage between members of the Collver and Winthrop families. But this marriage is without proof beyond a strong family tradition. Even if the marriage could be proven, this writer concludes Leon would not fall into this line of descent.
In 1913 Collver Tours was forced to bankruptcy due to a creditor's pursuit of its bank assets. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where company assets were successfully defended but reputation had suffered. Meanwhile Leon joined the highly respected International travel company of Raymond & Whitcomb who provided tours for well-heeled travelers and included construction of destination hotels. Their high-end world-wide excursions were advertised as "The Collver Idea with Raymond & Whitcomb Methods". By 1916 Leon was Vice-President in Boston in charge of international travel.
Leon wrote many travel brochures and articles; as well as, writing "The Pocket History of Fort Lauderdale".
Leon Collver, at 7 years of age with his parents, moved to Cleveland where his father Jay Collver set up a travel and excursion business. There he learned the business of making travel arrangements and conducting tours. In 1890 Leon left Cleveland to accept a position with Thomas Cook and Son. He worked several years as agent in their Boston and New York offices.
Leon became expert in organizing international travel and by 1903 had set up his own business, The Collver Tours Company, of Boston. He specialized in "Exceptional Tours" where he catered to the highest end clientele. He offered trips throughout world and set up voyages to Japan, Burma, Honolulu, Manila, China, Ceylon, India, Egypt as well as England, Portugal, and the Mediterranean region. Trips were from four months up to a year with lengthy excursions at each destination. These were priced from $1,650. to $4,750. providing an "Exclusive Environment at the Highest Possible Plane of Travel." This was considerable money in the early 1900's and Leon took pride that his voyages were priced some 85% higher than an average "first class" tour.
In 1905 he announced the first ever travel agency tour of all South America. His tour was limited to 10 members and was 104 days in length, departing from New York; stopping at Barbados; 15 days in Brazil, a stop at Uruguay, 7 days in Argentina, a stop at the Falklands, through the Straight of Magellan, 13 days in Chile, 7 days in Bolivia including excursions to LaPaz and Lake Titicaca, 5 days to cross Panama with viewing of the U.S. construction of the Canal at the Culebra Cut, then to Kingston Jamaica and returning to New York. Fare was fourteen hundred seventy-five dollars inclusive of all necessary expenses excepting such personal matters as wines, mineral waters and laundry charges, all conducted on the highest possible plane of travel. Leon's tours appealed to travelers of discriminating taste demanding the best obtainable accommodations, hotels, carriages, atmosphere of privacy, all while maintaining an absence of conspicuousness in methods of service.
This writer infers that Leon and Ethel were members of higher level Boston society circles which offered many contacts with high end travel clientele. They lived on Beacon Street; and their properties included a nearby carriage house with an artist's studio for Ethel. They also had a summer home at Marblehead. Their 1906 wedding announcement includes information about Leon's ancestry; reporting his descent from an early Colonial family (Edward Colver, founder of Dedham Mass in 1636; -which is true); and claim of descent from John Winthrop, first Governor of Mass. Bay Colony. The Winthrop middle name established a significant connection in Boston society; and this claim of descent fairly reflects family tradition and belief there was a brief 17th century marriage between members of the Collver and Winthrop families. But this marriage is without proof beyond a strong family tradition. Even if the marriage could be proven, this writer concludes Leon would not fall into this line of descent.
In 1913 Collver Tours was forced to bankruptcy due to a creditor's pursuit of its bank assets. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where company assets were successfully defended but reputation had suffered. Meanwhile Leon joined the highly respected International travel company of Raymond & Whitcomb who provided tours for well-heeled travelers and included construction of destination hotels. Their high-end world-wide excursions were advertised as "The Collver Idea with Raymond & Whitcomb Methods". By 1916 Leon was Vice-President in Boston in charge of international travel.
Leon wrote many travel brochures and articles; as well as, writing "The Pocket History of Fort Lauderdale".
Leon became expert in organizing international travel and by 1903 had set up his own business, The Collver Tours Company, of Boston. He specialized in "Exceptional Tours" where he catered to the highest end clientele. He offered trips throughout world and set up voyages to Japan, Burma, Honolulu, Manila, China, Ceylon, India, Egypt as well as England, Portugal, and the Mediterranean region. Trips were from four months up to a year with lengthy excursions at each destination. These were priced from $1,650. to $4,750. providing an "Exclusive Environment at the Highest Possible Plane of Travel." This was considerable money in the early 1900's and Leon took pride that his voyages were priced some 85% higher than an average "first class" tour.
In 1905 he announced the first ever travel agency tour of all South America. His tour was limited to 10 members and was 104 days in length, departing from New York; stopping at Barbados; 15 days in Brazil, a stop at Uruguay, 7 days in Argentina, a stop at the Falklands, through the Straight of Magellan, 13 days in Chile, 7 days in Bolivia including excursions to LaPaz and Lake Titicaca, 5 days to cross Panama with viewing of the U.S. construction of the Canal at the Culebra Cut, then to Kingston Jamaica and returning to New York. Fare was fourteen hundred seventy-five dollars inclusive of all necessary expenses excepting such personal matters as wines, mineral waters and laundry charges, all conducted on the highest possible plane of travel. Leon's tours appealed to travelers of discriminating taste demanding the best obtainable accommodations, hotels, carriages, atmosphere of privacy, all while maintaining an absence of conspicuousness in methods of service.
This writer infers that Leon and Ethel were members of higher level Boston society circles which offered many contacts with high end travel clientele. They lived on Beacon Street; and their properties included a nearby carriage house with an artist's studio for Ethel. They also had a summer home at Marblehead. Their 1906 wedding announcement includes information about Leon's ancestry; reporting his descent from an early Colonial family (Edward Colver, founder of Dedham Mass in 1636; -which is true); and claim of descent from John Winthrop, first Governor of Mass. Bay Colony. The Winthrop middle name established a significant connection in Boston society; and this claim of descent fairly reflects family tradition and belief there was a brief 17th century marriage between members of the Collver and Winthrop families. But this marriage is without proof beyond a strong family tradition. Even if the marriage could be proven, this writer concludes Leon would not fall into this line of descent.
In 1913 Collver Tours was forced to bankruptcy due to a creditor's pursuit of its bank assets. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where company assets were successfully defended but reputation had suffered. Meanwhile Leon joined the highly respected International travel company of Raymond & Whitcomb who provided tours for well-heeled travelers and included construction of destination hotels. Their high-end world-wide excursions were advertised as "The Collver Idea with Raymond & Whitcomb Methods". By 1916 Leon was Vice-President in Boston in charge of international travel.
Leon wrote many travel brochures and articles; as well as, writing "The Pocket History of Fort Lauderdale".
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