Frame Size (H x L): 22” x 15”
Fan Size (H x L): 14” x 7”  

Offered is an antique suffragette fan, dating to between 1910 and 1920.  The fan includes a wooden stick and a paper portion attached thereto.  The paper portion of the fan has a yellow field.  Yellow was the primary color in the women’s suffrage movement in the US, and was combined with various other colors, though in most instances it was combined with black.   The paper portion includes, in part, the following overprint:  

The most patriotic service you can render your country this day is to resolve to help win.

VOTES FOR WOMEN

EMINENT OPINIONS

Lincoln said: I go for all sharing the privileges of the government who assist in bearing its burdens, BY NO MEANS EXCLUDING WOMEN!

This is supposed to be “a government of, for and by the people.”  ARE WOMEN PEOPLE?

In 1848, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York.  As a result of this meeting in Stanton’s hometown, the document containing a declaration for women’s suffrage, right to education, and right to employment was drafted.  Over the next 50 years, numerous women’s conventions were hosted to bring strength to the movement in masses.  In 1906, the daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriot Stanton Blatch, founded the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women, which later became the Women’s Political Union.  The Women’s Political Union organized working-class suffragists and, in 1910, organized the first large scale suffrage march in the United States (in New York City). 

Though initially targeted as a state-by-state movement, it was ultimately recognized that only an amendment to the Constitution would grant all women the right to vote.  Amendments were introduced in 1878 and 1914, both of which were defeated.  By 1918, both political parties were committed to women’s suffrage, in part based on the major role women played in World War I.  As such, in January of 1918 and June of 1919, an amendment was passed by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, respectively.  On August 18th, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, giving the two-thirds of state legislators necessary to ratify the amendment.  On August 26th, the Nineteenth Amendment became part of the Constitution, and stated the following:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.  Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Conservation Process: This fan was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the fan, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The fan is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic, and spaced apart therefrom using spacers. 

Frame: This offering is in a tiered antique frame.  The outer tier is made of walnut, and the inner tier is gilded.  It dates to between 1860 and 1890.  

Condition Report: As shown in the images, this fan includes some minor damage along its edges.  It is otherwise bright and in excellent condition.         

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1910-1920