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  THE AWAKENING: AN EXTREMELY RARE & GRAPHIC WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MAP, WITH A TORCH-BEARING SUFFRAGETTE STRIDING ACROSS AMERICA; A CENTERFOLD PICTORIAL INSERT FROM THE FEBRUARY 1915 ISSUE OF PUCK MAGAZINE, NEW YORK

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 21" x 28"
Flag Size (H x L): 13.75" x 20.75" at sheet edge
Description....:
This beautiful and graphically compelling map of the Women’s Suffrage movement, with accompanying poem, appeared in Puck Magazine in the February, 1915 issue. Drawn by Henry Mayer, with verse by Alice Duer Miller, the image consists of a striding Suffragette, in the guise of Lady Liberty, clad in the golden yellow most often seen in the American movement. With torch raised and a flowing cape that bears the words: “Votes for Women,” the allegorical figure marches across America enfranchising women, the premise being that, as she does so, her torch brings “enlightenment” to women in those states still in the dark.

One would expect that, the manner in which this persuasive map (as illustrated examples like this are called) was distributed, that they would be relatively easy to locate. Examples survive among the holdings of the Library of Congress, as well as the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, but those in private hands are extraordinarily rare. Although an icon of American publishing, by the teens, Puck Magazine was on its way out and by 1915, circulation had dwindled to perhaps 10,000 copies, the vast majority of which would have been read and promptly disposed.

While there are many types of Suffrage maps, all but this one are colorless examples without graphics. This is the only artistically illustrated variety.

And example of this is documented in "Women's Suffrage Memorabilia" by Ken Florey (2013, McFarland & Co., North Carolina), p. A8.

Mounting: The map was mounted on acid-free materials in an archival manner. The two-part frame consists of a scooped profile molding that is very dark brown in color, nearly black, with red undertones and highlights, to which a black-painted and gilded, Italian molding was added as a cap. An 8-ply mat, covered in black cotton twill, keeps the parchment away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: Some mended wear from staples along centerfold of map and minor wear, soiling and discoloration to covers, but very good.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1915
Latest Date of Origin: 1915
State/Affiliation: New York
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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