When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
ORIGINAL 1948 GRANDARMY OF THE REPUBLIC – DEPARTMENT OF IOWA – 74TH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT GROUPING –MASON CITY, IOWA
Offered is an unusual original grouping relating to theSeventy-Fourth Annual Encampment of the Department of Iowa, Grand Army of theRepublic (G.A.R.), held in Mason City, Iowa, June 13–16, 1948.
The Grand Army of the Republic was the major fraternalorganization of Union veterans of the American Civil War. By 1948, theorganization was nearing the end of its existence as the remaining Civil Warveterans were of advanced age. This makes late G.A.R. material such as thisespecially interesting to Civil War and veterans\' organization collectors.
The groupingincludes:
·Original 1948 official encampment program,marked “Seventy-fourth Annual Encampment, Department of Iowa, Grand Army of theRepublic,” Mason City, Iowa, June 13th–16th, 1948. The program identifies JamesP. Martin as Department Commander and E. G. McMurray as Assistant AdjutantGeneral. It is 6 3/4\" x 3 5/8\" and has 15 pages and is off white and \"crisp.\" Its staples have rust.
·Original period photograph of an elderlyG.A.R./Civil War veteran, shown wearing a veteran-style coat and hat andholding a cane. The individual has not been positively identified and is beingoffered as unidentified. It is 3 1/2\" x 2 3/8\" and is in very good condition. The last photo has been digitally enhanced from the original for a clearer image. No hard copy is included.
·Red, white and blue ribbon associated with thegrouping. It is 28 1/2\" long and 1 1/4\" wide. it has one tiny spot.
·Original illustrated card showing the positionof the stars and states on the United States flag, listing the 48 states andtheir admission dates. This is off white and is 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 \".
The program contains schedules for the encampment, includingthe G.A.R. Memorial Service and Camp Fire, and references several patrioticorganizations associated with the G.A.R., including the Woman’s Relief Corps,Ladies of the G.A.R., Daughters of Union Veterans, Sons of Union Veterans andthe Auxiliary Sons of Union Veterans.
The historical interest of this grouping is enhanced by itsvery late date. James P. Martin, named as Department Commander in the program,was a Civil War veteran and later became Iowa’s last surviving Civil Warveteran. The photograph is not identified, however, and no claim is made thatthe man pictured is Martin.
