Description:

Late 19th Century Fourth of July Celebrations
various, ca. 1894-1896
2 Lovely Turn-of-the-20th C. Examples of Fourth of July Ephemera from Upstate NY & Newly Joined 41st State Montana
Ticket/Invitation
A lovely pair of Independence Day ephemera, comprised of an 1894 invitation/program to Fourth of July celebrations in Helena, Montana, a Western state that had only joined the Union five years earlier, in 1889; and an announcement of Fourth of July festivities in Sidney, New York, located about 40 miles northeast of Binghamton, ca. 1896. As these items demonstrate, Independence Day was celebrated in similar ways across the United States.

The lot includes:

1. A 3pp invitation to "a grand Fourth of July Celebration, to commemorate the One Hundred and Eighteenth Anniversary of American Independence" in Helena, Montana, ca. 1894. Printed in red and blue. Lightly flattened transmittal folds, else near fine. 5" x 7.875."

The cover opens to reveal two tightly-packed pages listing members of and participants from the following committees: "Programmes"; Invitations; Parade; Decoration; Railroad Transportation; Music; Games; Finance; Carriages; "Fire Works"; School Children; Flowers; Auditorium; and Reception. The most prestigious member of the Reception Committee is listed as "Gov. J.E. Rickards," referring to 2nd Governor of Montana John Ezra Rickards (1848-1927), who oversaw state government from 1893-1897.

2. A postcard-size "Announcement of the Fourth of July Racket, of the Social Racket Club" of Sidney, New York, ca. 1896. A small stamp-size sepia-colored albumen photograph of a pair of crossed tennis rackets is affixed in the postage section at upper right. With decorative scalloped edges. Isolated surface loss in along the top edge, else near fine. 4.5" x 3.5."

The announcement lists eight "rackets" or events scheduled throughout the day, including a "Grand Patriotic Demonstration" and "Races." Festival organizers warned "Ladies… not to cheer at [the] wrong time…" and urged "Gentlemen… [to] appear brave during racket."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: invitation measures 5" x 7.875"
  • Medium: Ticket/Invitation

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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