Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - April - 2007 Issue
Historic Documents from Bruce N. Johnson
The voters always remembered this man – JFK in his first run for public office.
Next is one for football fans, a photo postcard of the Canton Professionals -- 1912. In those days there really weren't professional football teams, but there were amateur ones outside of college affiliations, with Ohio and the Midwest being the center of the sport. The Professionals would change their name to the Bulldogs in 1915, and as the Canton Bulldogs, they would be one of the inaugural teams when the National Football League was formed in 1920. Its first president was Canton's coach, the legendary Jim Thorpe. The Bulldogs would go undefeated through the 1922-23 seasons, the longest such NFL streak to this day. Indeed, it was in their hometown of Canton that the NFL was formed, which is why the NFL Hall of Fame is today located in that smaller city, though it long ago lost its football team. Item 147 is this early Canton photo postcard. $850.
Item 114 is a more ominous postcard. It was put out by the Patriots for McCarthy Organization in 1954. It states that they are collecting petitions "to prevent the un-American censure of Senator McCarthy by the traitorous elements in the United States Senate." Joseph McCarthy was the master of challenging the patriotism of anyone who stood in his way, and amassed great power and influence through his effective use of intimidation. He was known for his claimed list of "Communists" working in the State Department, a list he never could produce. In the 1950s, the fear of Communism ran so high that even unsubstantiated claims held enormous sway over the public. However, by 1954, his disregard for the truth was catching up to him. These petitions notwithstanding, McCarthy was censured by the senate and his power over the nation came to an end. $125.
Item 44 is a most unusual letter from a prisoner of war. It would be an understatement to say Civil War prisoners generally did not enjoy pleasant conditions. Still, Confederate prisoner Cabell Bullock was apparently doing surprisingly well at Camp Morton in Indianapolis in 1862. Writes Bullock, "I must thank you for your nice box. The books were just to my taste and I have enjoyed reading some of them hugely. The fruit and wine were enjoyed by my friends and myself only in a manor that college boys and prisoners can enjoy such niceties. But I must reserve the greater part of my thanks to your sister for the bountiful supply of delicious cakes and to your brother for the oranges..." Sounds nicer than Andersonville, Elmira, or being shot at on the front lines. $250.
Item 113 is a significant campaign brochure. It was one produced for John F. Kennedy's first run for public office. James Michael Curley had resigned his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to run for Mayor of Boston in 1946. Recently back from the army, Kennedy used this special election to begin his very successful political career. The brochure, with a large photographic portrait of Kennedy, tells voters to "remember this man." That they did, many times and for many years. $425.
Bruce N. Johnson may be contacted at 315-652-3118 or bnjbooks@twcny.rr.com.
