Partly-Printed Document Signed

This long-term Republican representative from U.S. Grant's adoptive hometown of Galena, Illinois, served this district in Northwestern Illinois for fourteen terms (1933-61). Partly-printed DS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Jo Daviess County, IL, 1926 October 15. Very good. Faint age toning. "Declaration of Intention" document issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Naturalization Service for one Andrew Boeckl, a 24-year-old marble worker from Bavaria, Germany, who had arrived in New York in 1924. Most interesting is the printed text noting that "It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The German Reich" (these last three words inked in) -- but better yet is the following printed text: "I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy." Entirely filled out in Allen's attractive hand in black ink, and at lower right, as clerk of the circuit court, he signs boldly. A delightful, provocative period piece reminiscent of the oaths of allegiance signed by Confederate soldiers at the close of the Civil War. The Third Reich and anarchy statements are classic 1920s, with fascism encroaching upon Europe and anarchists such as Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman capturing the headlines. The polygamy content seems a bit less obvious, no waves of anti-polygamy sentiment sweeping the country, but simply represents a typical post-World War One reaction against extremism of any sort.…