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.
19th and 20th Century British Golfing Art
Britain’s unique bunkers and rough links varied greatly from the carefully manicured courses of the United States, and the sporting art of the late 19th and early 20th century reflects that. The popularity of golfing art mirrored the popularity of the game. Prints, paintings, and illustrations of the championship or historic links served to entice players to those iconic courses, as well as highlight the more rugged course designs found in the UK.
Grosset & Dunlap: Book Publishers for the Masses and Film Buffs Alike
In 1914, theAmerican book publishing company of Grosset & Dunlap publishers their first photoplay. Today, these vintage photoplay editions are tracked down by film buffs, bibliophiles, and book collectors.
Photoplay editions were promotional movie tie-in books of the silent film and early sound era and Grosset & Dunlap monopolized this market in the 1920- 1940s. The most sought after photoplays are those tie-in editions for favorite films such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and King Kong, or lost films such as London After Midnight. Other collectors search for books featuring individual stars, like Lon Chaney or Boris Karlof. Read more about this creative and influential American book publisher on this week's blog.
Collecting Vintage Silver Keepsake Boxes
Trinket or jewelry keepsake boxes have taken on many forms since their first conception in ancient times. However their purpose remains the same; to store jewelry and other items precious to the owner. We explore our collection of vintage silver keepsake boxes in this week's blog post.
Bleeding Kansas: The Eve of the Civil War
Bleeding Kansas was a time of intense violence over slave and non-slave states in the mid 19th century. Read more about this period- what is known as the precursor to the Civil War.
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