A Closer Look at Lincoln: Who Was Joseph C. Audenried?
Taking a closer look at the history behind just one of our military commission documents, we discover the long and storied military career of Joseph C. Audenried. From surviving the Battle of Antietam to becoming the right hand man of General Sherman, Col. Audenried had quite the career after graduating from West Point during the beginnings of the Civil War.
The Flying Tigers
New to our Colorado shop is an early edition printing of The Flying Tigers. The Story of the American Volunteer Group by Russell Whelan, signed by seventeen members of the Flying Tigers.
A force to be reckoned with, the AVG generated thirty-nine American aces during the short span of their combat history. An incredible piece of aviation and WWII memorabilia, this signed book discusses the creation of AVG, their missions and battles, and the pilots and crew who made history.
Creating the World of Narnia
After countless requests, we finally got our hands on a first American edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Read about how Lewis created the seven book series The Chronicles of Narnia.
How Truman Capote Created The True Crime Genre
When Truman Capote's In Cold Blood was first published in 1965, he characterized it as the first "non-fiction novel." Combining the dialogue and narrative of a novel with the truth of a nonfiction piece, In Cold Blood is credited with starting the popular literary true crime genre.
Symbols of Revolution: Liberty Poles & Caps
The small peaked hat, known as a Liberty Cap or Phrygian Cap, became a symbol of resistance to British rule and taxation among early colonists. Liberty poles were another form of resistance, a large wooden totem erected in a town square or park, where citizens could post grievances against British rule or gather to organize rallies. Liberty poles with various banners were raised in numerous towns to protest the Stamp Act of 1765 and continued to be raised in the Early Republic era to invoke Revolutionary sentiment. Read more about these symbols or resistance on this week's blog.
Connecting the West with the Pony Express
Illustrated by American artist Kermit Oliver, “The Pony Express” silk scarf design was first issued by Hermès in 1993. Known for incorporating western themes and Native American iconography into his work, Oliver aimed to celebrate and memorialize the culture of those normally overlooked by larger fashion houses and brands. So it is no surprise that the riders and history of the Pony Express inspired Oliver to create this colorful and dynamic scarf design. Read more about this stunning scarf design and the 1860s Pony Express mail service on this week's blog.
American Mapmaker A.J. Johnson
Johnson maps are popularly known for their intricate detailing, delicate borders, and fine attention to detail. Read more about this famous American mapmaker.
Advantageous Agriculture: A Look Into the U.S. Crop Corps and Other Agricultural Endeavors During WWII
Always sure to spark an audience’s interest, this World War II Crop Corps poster highlights a lesser known initiative that was aimed towards bolstering American agriculture during wartime. The Crop Corps utilized alternative labor forces to make a crucial contribution to the war efforts.
Everybody, Every Payday: Collecting WWII Payroll Savings Bond Posters
The Payroll Savings Plan was the backbone of the WWII savings and bond sales effort. Employees could authorize a certain allotment from each paycheck to be saved towards the purchase of a war savings bond and the employer would deliver the bond out of the designated savings from his paycheck. There was an outpouring of poster art on both the local and national levels to encourage enrollment. These posters successfully created a national ethic of collective thrift for the greater good, and positioned “saving” as in the service of democracy. The Payroll Savings Program was majority source of all war bond sales during the war.
World War II Posters: Suffering and Sacrifices
To guard against war complacency among the American public, the U.S. Government promoted messages that reminded civilian America of the suffering and sacrifices that were being made by its Armed Forces overseas. By emphasizing the hardships of war, the government put smaller civilian sacrifices like rationing wheat and dairy, buying savings stamps and payday loans, and taking on new jobs into perspective.
Minute Man Imagery in WWII War Bond Posters
To promote the sale of War Bonds during WWII, persuasive posters illustrating our country's past patriotic and historical events were painted by some of the best artists of the day. Almost 200,000 different images were produced on loan posters, yet the most used and recognized image in the entire project was the likeness of Daniel Chester French's statue "The Minute Man." It became a rallying symbol for the sale of War Bonds, as well as the official logo for the program.
WWII Women in Service
The incredible size and scope of World War II necessitated the admission of women into military service. Starting in 1942, new programs like WAAC, WAVES, SPARS, WASP, and the Marine Corps Women's Reserve enlisted thousands of women into wartime service. Since then, women have served with courage and distinction in defense of our Nation's freedom. We recognize and celebrate the many ways that women's service history has become woven into the fabric of our nation's story.
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