On the first page of "John Martin's Scrap & Sketch Book, Commenced June 14th 1864," Martin drew this Belles Early apple and wrote, "ripens the last of august flavour spicy and rich."

He also wrote, "Sept 2 1866 Adas Tree had 125 apples of this color and average size, some were larger and a few smaller."

Martin (1823-1904), an accountant and shopkeeper who lived most of his adult life in Bangor, began in 1864 recording and illustrating reminiscences of his life, work, and events. He began with a "journal," then wrote three scrapbooks, which include newspaper clippings as well as his own writing and illustrations.