| BRITTISH SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT CIGARETTE CASE AND ‘CINDERELLA’ STAMP WITH “VOTES FOR WOMEN” SLOGAN |
|
| Web ID: | ws-146 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 10.25" x 8" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | case - 3" x 2", cinderella - 1" x .75" |
| Description: | |
| Enameled silver cigarette cases became popular in the latter 19th century and remained so until the middle of the 20th. Primarily of British manufacture, this example, in green, white, and violet stripes, with an image of a black and white kitten crying “I want my Vote!” was made in Birmingham in 1923 (hallmark-dated in traditional British fashion). Although most people familiar with the suffrage movement know that it was granted in the U.K. first, and American soon after, it is not widely understood that the passing of the “Representation of the People Act” in Britain, did not grant Suffrage to all women and did not do so equally with men. The 1918 legislation only allowed women over the age of 30 to vote, along with men over 21. Because another 10 years would pass before a subsequent amendment extended voting rights to everyone over age 21, in 1928, the battle continued to be waged for young women in the interim. The manufacture of this case is a relic of that era. It’s brass interior, near the hallmarks, is custom-engraved with a simple term “Dearest.” Paired with the case is a small, diamond-shaped paper stamp, also British, with the phrase “Votes for Women” fancifully embellished in green text, set within a white, oval window, decorated with a wreath of green laurel branches. The device is set against a shaded, violet ground, to complete the traditional English colors. Within the British movement, green, white, and violet fit neatly with the slogan or chant, “Give Women the Vote.” Best known in the stamp world as a ‘Cinderella,’ ephemera of this nature, in the general size of a stamp, but instead made simply for advertising or “just for nice,” with no postal value, began to appear in America as early as the 1850’s. The term for this beautiful little object actually bears ironic interest, taken from the fable of a girl regarded as having inferior value within her family (i.e., lesser value among stamps and within stamp collecting). Though I am uncertain of the origin in Europe, the first Cinderellas made in America appeared in the mid-19th century. Likewise made for political use, these were produced to advertise the presidential campaign of the first Republican candidate, John Frémont, who ran on the anti-slavery ticket in 1856. Although the precise year of manufacture of this particular Cinderella is not known, I had not before physically encountered one of any variety, until I discovered a small group of 3 in this style, of which this is one. Mounting: The antique, paint-decorated and hand-gilded molding has an inflection profile and is earlier than the two Suffrage objects, made circa 1840-1870. The case and Cinderella were mounted and framed in our own conservation department. The stamp is hinged with archival paper tape (easily removable). The case is carefully wedged in a recessed mount. The background (cut away beneath the stamp) is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. Condition: There is a tiny bit of loss at the top of the Cinderella. The case shows some signs of use, though it is in wonderful overall condition and displays beautifully. |
|
| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | |
| Star Count: | |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1895 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1923 |
| State/Affiliation: | Other |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
 |
|
