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Navy Sailor Patriotic Printed Paddle Fan, Early 20th Century

Offered by: The Great Republic

Description
Presented is a patriotic printed paddle fan, with an image of a Navy sailor. The sailor is depicted on the back of a large boat, standing in front of a large, waving American flag. In the background, the sea is filled with Navy cruisers and a submarine. In the skies fly two biplanes. The paddle fan has a blue and white border with a floral Art Nouveau design. The fan is titled “America First” in the bottom left of the border. The back of the fan features a printed advertisement, “Compliments of Levin’s Department Store,” proprietors of “Clothing, Dry Goods, Shoes and Furniture” based in Manchester Depot, Vermont. The fan is attached to its original wooden stick.

From the beginning of the 19th Century, fans commemorated national events, such as centennials, statehoods, inaugurations, or the birthdays of public figures. Americans who had imported European fans from the late 1600s to the mid-1800s, joined the fan-making fray soon after the Civil War and made-in-America fans began to acquire a following by 1867. Concurrently, advances in 19th Century printing technology brought the elaborately-designed, gilded, and illustrated fans within reach of the masses. Lithographed and printed fans imitated hand-drawn and hand-painted versions of earlier eras. Advertising fans also became popular promotional gimmicks that peaked at the turn of the century. These fans remained popular until the 1940s.

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. Paddle board fan, attached to original wooden stick. Printed in color on a stiff paper board. The front has light discoloration and foxing, and slight overlap in the printed registration. The text “305 America First” is printed in the white border at the bottom left. A copyright of “F.A.B” is printed in the white border at the bottom right.

The verso features a printed advertisement, “Compliments of Levin’s Department Store” based in Manchester Depot, Vermont. The Mastai collection number “No. 218R” is handwritten in blue ballpoint ink in the lower right.

Presented on the original wooden stick. Archivally framed in a custom black wooden frame with UV glass.

Framed Dimensions: 21" H x 14 1/8" W x 1 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.

More Information

Period:	1900-1919
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Modern
Incollect Reference #:	781997

Dimensions

W.	14.125 in;	H.	21 in;	D.	1.5 in;
W.	35.88 cm;	H.	53.34 cm;	D.	3.81 cm;

Message from Seller:

Established in 2010, The Great Republic specializes in one-of-a-kind collectibles that honor American history, with a special focus on the rare and unique. Our collection is complete with rarities that are sure to wow, such as first edition books, antique hand-sewn flags from the Civil War, vintage travel posters, and original signatures from American presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, just to name a few. P: 719.471.6157 E: headquarters@great-republic.com