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For the Benefit of the Women's Auxiliary Adelbert Russell Post No. 312 American Legion - Penny War Donation in an Apron

Penny wars are a way of raising funds through nominal donations that can be afforded by most.

United States: American Legion, 1922. A charming, albeit unabashedly fat-phobic, bit of American Legion history, raising money for the Women's Auxiliary Adelbert Russell Post No. 312. A miniature calico apron is accompanied by a slip of paper, which asks for donations based on one's waist size: "This little apron is sent to you / And this is what we wish you to do, / The little pocket you plainly see, / For a special purpose is meant to be, / Now measure your waist line inch by inch, / And see that the measure does not pinch, / And for each small inch that you measure round, / In the pocket you put a penny sound. / The game is fair, you will admit, / You waist the money, we pocket it, / While the money your pockets freely pay, / Our Auxiliary will use in a profitable way."

Apron measures approx. 5.25" by 6". Printed bifolium measures 3" by 4.25", printed on rectos only, with contemporary ink annotations to first leaf recto: "Mar 25 1922 Free lunch" Very good to near-fine. Minor toning to paper, dust soiling to apron.

Price: $150.00

Item #22006782