Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

American-Social-History-Easton

Full Text:

American Social History Notes

By Rita Easton

PITTSBURGH, PA. -- American Social History and Social Movements (ASH & SM)

held a mail/phone/FAX/Internet bid auction which closed on December 3,

attracting a record 400 bidders for the 837 lots offered. Pam Oestreicher of

the auction house noted that Women's Suffrage Movement items attracted the

largest number of on-line bidders, a form of bidding introduced by the firm

with this auction.

A John Brown eight- by 11-inch broadside reached the highest bid of the day at

$2,750, going to a dealer. The horizontal lot was dated 1860, and publicized a

commemoration and agitation meeting on February 1, 1860, one year after

Brown's hanging. The speakers advertised were with Brown, with the purpose to

rally people to the abolitionist cause.

A full-color recruiting broadside appealing to African-Americans to join the

Union cause, offering in return "Freedom To The Slaves," garnered $1,952. An

illustration of an African-American Civil War soldier holding an American flag

dominated.

"Votes for Women," a 1916 suffrage pennant, reached $1,650, purchased by a

collector; a poster in yellow and blue went to a collector at $847, the lot

exhorting "Vote for Woman Suffrage November 6," the New York campaign; and

cartes de visite, one of Elizabeth Katy Stanton, and one of Susan B. Anthony,

sold at $113 and $525, respectively.

"None of these pieces sold for resale," Oestreicher pointed out. "They all

went to collectors, although some of the collectors were dealers. They bought

for their own private collections."

A sterling silver collector's suffrage spoon, "votes for women, Women's

Suffrage Convention of 1912," sold at $1,050; "Votes for Women" playing cards

brought $1,171; and pins imprinted with "Let Ohio Women Vote" reached $1,320.

A pin inscribed "Vote Yes, Scratch No. Equal Suffrage" achieved $842; and a

"Vote for Woman Suffrage November 2, 1915" pin rang up $949.

"Literally every single thing that was suffrage sold, most at well above

minimum and always above estimate," said Oestreicher.

A Civil War image of a Union cavalryman from Pennsylvania's 22nd, posed with

his dog, was purchased at $1,172; and a pin featuring a photo of Frank H.

Little, with the quote "I'm For Solidarity," fetched $863. An activist with

IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), Little was murdered in Butte, Mont.,

during an IWW strike against the Anaconda Copper Company.

A framed poster offering "Best Chance Yet Offered! Employment. Warm Barracks.

The 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery," sold at $2,178; a seven- by ten-inch image

of Crow Indians at the NPRR completion realized $1,000; an 1860 Lincoln

medallion under glass reached $1,331; and a German poster in response to

American labor issues, showing the Chicago 1887 Haymarket martyrs, connecting

them to the Sacco and Vanzetti case, sold at $1,855.

Prices quoted do not reflect a ten percent buyer's premium.