Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
1921-1924 (with a few later items); 33 items and scrapbook, nearly all addressed to Gertrude Gleaves Gompers, Samuel's wife and biographer.
As a young activist in the Cigarmakers International Union in the 1870s, Samuel Gompers began to work for the economic betterment of the working class, advocating for higher wages, better working conditions, shorter hours, and a range of benefits, from sick leave to unemployment insurance. Organization, cooperative action, political engagement, and collective bargaining, he reasoned, were the best means of securing economic betterment for workers, and he saw organization across the trades as being the ticket to success. With this in mind, Gompers helped found the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in 1881 as a vehicle for organizing on a large scale, which five years later became the American Federation of Labor. Gompers served as president almost continuously until his death. As President of the AFL, Gompers became the face of the organized labor movement in the United States.
In 1921, Gompers married a younger women, Gertrude Gleaves, who less than three years after their wedding, was left a widow. This scrapbook and collection of correspondence emanates from Gertrude Gompers' marriage to Samuel and her efforts to commemorate her husband, and includes 12 affectionate ALsS from Samuel, 1921-1923, a biographical memoir; and three letters (1951) from Gertrude.
The scrapbook contains letters received by Gertrude Gompers from the time of their marriage in 1921 until Samuel's death in 1924. The first several items, all pasted onto black photo album pages, are letters of congratulation on their marriage, but the bulk of the album consists of letters of condolence, most of which are telegrams transcribed by the receiving office, many from important figures such as Louis Wiley of the New York Times and international labor leaders of all stripes. Senator Robert La Follette, for one, wrote The shadow of that death is in the home of every toiler throughout the civilized world. Your grief is theirs. They too will cherish his memory for all time. Bernard Baruch was even more effusive: I think he achieved high honor in three ways he was a true humanist which helped to make him a great labor leader he was a true warrior not only for our national cause but in the field of the protection of human rights and third he was a tower of strength against the encroachments of the communists whose fight against property was seen by him as taking on a tyranny that threatened the peace and happiness of the world... An unsigned telegram is perhaps the most poignant: Weep with you over your great dead man Gompers. Finally, the album ends with a TLS from Calvin Coolidge on White House stationery, also pasted into the album.
The loose letters in the collection relate largely to Gertrude's efforts to obtain reminiscences about her husband or support of various kinds from the powerful and famous, often relating to a biography she planned to write on Samuel. Among the respondents are TLsS from Senators Robert La Follette and James Davis, 1943; Congressmen Joseph C. Baldwin (2) and Sol Bloom; ALsS to GG reminiscing about Gompers from Johnston Forbers-Robertson and William Lyon Phelps; 2 other letters regarding her biography. Typical of these letters is one from Gov. William H. Murray of Oklahoma, 1932, regarding labor troubles and Gompers' frustrations with the class of fellows -- radicals -- who are unreasonable and do not really understand the fundamentals of our movement.
As might be expected, a number of important labor leaders offered support, assistance, or praise, among these a TLS from Walter Reuther, 1952; TLS from John Lewis (UMWA), 1942; and W.A. Appleton (General Federal of Trade Unions, 1932). Frank Morrison of the AFL, 1932, writes a particularly nice letter regarding Gompers' opposition to capital punishment. Also included are typed transcriptions of several letters from eminent persons, including Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, John J. Pershing, Newton Baker, Giuseppe Marconi, and more, all lauding Gompers' career as a labor leader.
Finally, the collection includes 2 telegrams from Samuel Gompers, 1923 (loose in the scrapbook) and a sad news clipping from the Depression stating that Mrs. Gompers was penniless and working for the WPA after selling all her possessions to get by.
A fine collection relating to the most renowned American labor leader of the early twentieth century and the recollections of many of his famous friends. The loose letters are generally in good condition, with the scrapbook marred primarily by the letters being pasted.
Condition:
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
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Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
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