Page 137 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript African Americana- Sale 2308 - March 21, 2013

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236 ● (BUSINESS.) PRICE, A.D., THOMAS CRUMP, AND B.L. JORDAN. The
Southern Aid Messenger. Illustrations. 52 pages. Folio, original pictorial wrappers; small
scuff to front cover. Richmond, 1908 [400/600]
In early 1893, a handful of men in Richmond, Virginia organized the Southern Aid and
Insurance Company in an effort both to furnish adequate and affordable insurance protection to
African-Americans and to promote jobs for unemployed black youth. Chartered on February
25, 1893, Southern Aid and Insurance was the United States’ first black owned and operated
insurance company. This periodical featured stories of how the Aid Society came to the rescue of
people who needed help, as well as listings for member businesses, and copious testimonials.
Danky, does list this, but erroneously as an “annual.”
237 ● (BUSINESS.) “Soul” Charmettes. Air Deodorizers for Car and Home.
Point of purchase sign with 20 deodorizers still attached, each with an image of a scantily
clad woman on it; the larger backing slightly bowed; staples rusted.
Watertown, New York:Milak Inc.,, 1974 [400/600]
A classic example of the type of so-called “Blacksploitation” that was made popular by films
like “Shaft” and the “super-cool,” “super-sexy” Pam Grier.
238 ● (BUSINESS.) WALKER, MAGGIE LENA. Independent Order of St Luke.
Juvenile Circle. Know Ye That R. W. G. Council, J.O. of St Luke has Authorized . . .”
Partially printed document, accomplished by hand, 14 x 101⁄2 inches; filled out by Emeline
Johnson and SIGNED BY MAGGIE LENA WALKER paper toned; original seal present.
Richmond, Virginia, 1918 [1,500/2,500]
A rare example of a charter for one of Maggie Walker’s “Juvenile Circles.” This document
authorizes Estelle A. Christian to be “Matron” of Christian Circcle 77 and is signed by
Walker herself. Maggie Lena Walker (1867-1934), African American teacher and business-
woman was the first female bank president and the first woman to charter a bank in the United
States. Walker joined the order of St Luke at the age of fourteen, and rose rapidly within its
ranks. In 1902, she organized the St Luke Herald, and shortly thereafter chartered the
St.Luke’s Penny Bank. Mrs. Walker served as the bank’s first president, which earned her the
recognition of being the first woman to charter a bank in the United States. Later she agreed to
serve as chairman of the board of directors when the bank merged with two other Richmond
banks to become The Consolidated Bank and Trust Company, which grew to serve generations
of “Richmonders” as an African-American owned institution.