Framed display item under glass

Pullman Porters Benefit Association of America

Published by n.p., 1928

About this Item

Scuffed wooden frame. Containing a printed letter (28 cm.) sent out by Perry Parker, identifying himself Grand Chairman of this Benefit Association. Recipient list for this form letter unknown to us but surely not all Pullman porters. It seems more likely that it was just sent to certain subsidiary branches or members of this association. Parker describes in the letter an emblem for the association which he is sending. Mounted and framed beside the letter is this somewhat larger emblem (about 27 x 34 cm.). At center top are small (actually tiny) photos of the eleven members of the Official Staff. The charter in the center seems too small to read and looks sort of like a stock certificate. It is surrounded on the three lower sides by simple statements of the dates this company substitute for a union was organized, became operational and was incorporated. A few design squiggles complete this low rent effort at an emblem. Some fading but still sound. We have not seen this company union oddity before and suspect it is quite scarce. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a real union was organized in 1925. It took 12 years of struggle before the Pullman Company signed a contract with the union and for the American Federation of Labor to admit the union to membership. We don't know if the Pullman Company kept this company "union" alive until 1937. Perry Parker died in 1936 and is included in the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database at the University of Kentucky. Seller Inventory # 95049

Bibliographic Details

Title: Framed display item under glass

Publisher: n.p.

Publication Date: 1928

Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)