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Original Political Satire Ephemera, San Jose, California — 1968
Offered here is an original 1968 satirical protest document, produced in response to the consolidation of the City of San Jose Health Department into the Santa Clara County Health Department.
The piece is intentionally formatted to replicate an official California Certificate of Death, using bureaucratic structure and language as a vehicle for civic and political critique. The “decedent” is listed as theCity of San Jose Health Department, with the “cause of death” cited as consolidation — a pointed commentary on municipal cost-cutting and public health policy during the late 1960s.
Particularly notable entries include:
This document represents local government protest ephemera, a category that is both scarce and under-collected, especially when tied to identifiable civic events. Materials of this type were typically produced in small numbers for internal circulation or public demonstration and were not intended to survive.
Historical context:
During the 1960s, many U.S. cities moved to consolidate independent health departments at the county level, often citing projected cost savings. This document captures contemporaneous opposition from within the civic and public health community and serves as a primary-source artifact of that debate.
Condition:
Original paper document, approximately 8.5 × 7.5 inches, with age-appropriate toning, folds, and handling wear. No modern alterations observed.Please review images original period item from 1968. This is not a modern reproduction and is offered as historical satirical ephemera.
Returns:
Returns accepted within 30 days. Item must be returned in original condition.
Collector Relevance:
Suitable for advanced collectors of:
Political and civic ephemera
California / Bay Area history
Public health history
1960s protest and reform flat in an archival sleeve with rigid protection.
