U.S. Shield Patriotic Printed Paddle Fan, Circa 1918

Presented is a U.S. shield patriotic printed paddle fan from 1918. The blue chief is printed with thirteen white stars. Below, thirteen vertical pales are printed in alternating red and white. This fan is attached to its original wooden stick and printed and cut in the shape of a shield. The back of the fan is printed with an advertisement for “E. Well,” purveyors of  “Baby Carriages, Go Carts & Toys” and “Infants’ Layettes, Hand Embroidered, Made To Order.” The company’s Elizabeth, New Jersey and New York City addresses are printed along the right side. Along the left side is a handwritten inked inscription “July 4, 1918. Mother’s Division of Loyalty Parade.” 

Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, designed the U.S. shield as part of the larger U.S. seal design in 1782. In his “Remarks and Explanation,” he explains the symbolism behind his design: “the Escutcheon is composed of the chief & pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The Pieces, paly, represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress…The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the Chief and the Chief depends on that union & the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America & the preservation of their union through Congress…The colours of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the colour of the Chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.” The shield design was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 20, 1782. 

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.  Light discoloration in the white sections due to age, and only a few color chips and areas of separation along the edges. Two small creases in the upper left corner. Stamped in the lower right “Mastai Collection” in red ink. 

The verso has a printed advertisement for “E. Well” purveyors of  “Baby Carriages, Go Carts & Toys” and “Infants’ Layettes, Hand Embroidered, Made To Order,” printed with the company’s Elizabeth, NJ and New York City addresses. Along the left side is a handwritten inked inscription stating “July 4, 1918. Mother’s Division of Loyalty Parade…” The back is stamped with red ink “Mastai Collection” stamp and the handwritten collection number “No. 27R” in blue ballpoint ink. Presented on the original wooden stick. 

Archivally framed in a custom black wooden frame with a black acid-free mat and UV glass.

Framed Dimensions: 18 1/2" H x 13 5/8" W x 1 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.