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188

Clara Barton

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Clara Barton

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Auction Date:2011 Dec 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Teacher and humanitarian (1821–1912) best known for organizing the relief organization the American Red Cross. ALS, five pages, 5.25 x 7, July 12, 1903. In a letter to her sister Harriette, Barton supplies a detailed account of actions being taken by her association, and the grievous state of its members, injured by an onslaught of persecution. In part: “Mr. Howe, the Superintendent of the First Aid Dept., has just picked himself up from an attack of our work, which held him quiet for three weeks and is at work with the force of two good men…We can get very little help from Mr. Atwater as Mrs. Atwater… is very ill I'm sure, completely broken down nervously, which should not have been. Our literature grows apace, we are getting out some good booklets. Our membership cards are ready, and only want to be put in motion, to become a source of revenue. The Emergency cards are ready for sale & they too will be a source of revenue and of good work. We have invited the Governors of all the states and territories to act as an advisory committee and have received the most genial replies of acceptance…We shall have our Advisory committee surely enough…I have covered four pages and said nothing… I wonder if you don't think it's time you look after me - and see what you think should be done with this uncertain piece of perplexity." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Barton’s hand.

In this letter, written five months after the mentioned First Aid Department was established, Barton details the resistance thrown up by some against the Red Cross’ work. The department Howe was superintendent of was set up to provide classes for training in first aid and other methods of treatment for the injured. This effort was resisted by doctors and nurses who felt such training shouldn't be provided to lay people. Here, twenty-two years after Barton founded the Red Cross, we see her still fighting to establish and grow what has become one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations: a fascinating letter paying testimony to the organization's early difficulties and Barton's willingness to fight for what she believed in, even at age 82.
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