American Leftist Organizations and Labor Unions Stamps and Ephemera SPC.2018.026
Sharon MacNett
California State University Dominguez Hills Archives and Special Collections
October 2018
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills Archives and Special Collections
Title: American Leftist Organizations and Labor Unions Stamps and Ephemera
creator:
Industrial Workers of the World
creator:
International Labor Defense
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2018.026
Physical Description:
1 box
Physical Description:
.20 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1890-1940; undated
Language of Material: Collection material is in English.
Abstract: The American Leftist Organization and Labor Unions Stamps and Ephemera Collection contains stamps, stickers, labels, cards,
and other ephemera produced by socialist and communist organizations and labor unions in the United States, 1890-1940. The
bulk of the materials in this collection are stamps from fundraising, boycott, and strike actions. Highlights include stamps
and campaign cards from the International Workers of the World, "Save the Scottsboro Boys" fundraising stamps from the International
Labor Defense, stamps and ephemera from the Continental Congress of Workers and Farmers, and stamps from the International
Workers Order.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[title of item]. American Leftist Organizations and Labor Unions Stamps and Ephemera Collection, Courtesy of the Department
of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills
Scope and Contents
This collection contains one box of stamps, stickers, labels, cards, and other ephemera produced by socialist and communist
organizations and labor unions in the United States, 1890-1940. The bulk of the materials are stamps. Many materials were
part of specific campaigns, including boycotts, fundraisers, and strikes. Unions and organizations represented include the
Industrial Workers of the World, the International Labor Defense, the International Workers Order, the Continental Congress
of Workers and Farmers, the League Against Yellow Journalism, the Bonus Expeditionary Force, the American Federation of Musicians,
the Bakery and Confection Workers International of America, the Brewery Workmen's National Union, the Filling Station Employees
Union, the International Hod Carriers, the United Cloth and Hat Makers, the Western Federation of Miners, and the Metal Polishers,
Buffers, Platers and Brass Workers Union.
Biographical / Historical
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is an international labor union with ties to socialism and anarchism. Founded in
1905, membership peaked in 1917 at 150,000 members. Internal tensions and the First Red Scare after World War I contributed
to the decline of the union in the 1920s.
The International Workers Order (IWO) was a fraternal, mutual benefit, insurance organization from 1930 to 1954. The IWO boasted
nearly 200,000 members immediately after World War II. Members had access to low-cost health and life insurance and medical
and dental care. Affiliated with the Communist Party, the IWO disbanded under pressure from legal action taken against it
by the state of New York.
The International Labor Defense (ILD), operating 1925-1946, published a monthly newsletter and sold seals and stamps to raise
funds for such cases as the Scottsboro Boys, Tom Mooney, and Sacco and Vanzetti. The ILD, which emerged from the Communist
Party, was a staunch supporter of the Bill of Rights.
The Continental Congress of Workers and Farmers for Economic Reconstruction, held May 6-7, 1933, in Washington, DC, was organized
by Norman Thomas and Clarence Senior of the Socialist Party of America. Over 4,000 delegates from unions, farmers brotherhoods,
labor cooperatives, student associations, and organizations of the unemployed met and devised a set of demands including money
for public works projects, cash relief, and a bonus to unemployed veterans, as well as national health insurance, abolition
of child labor, and nationalization of banks.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Sharon MacNett, 2018.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Labor unions--United States
Labor movement
Social movements--United States
Socialism
Communism--United States
box 1, folder 1
Historical information
undated
box 1, folder 2
Various unions, stamps and ephemera
1890-1940
box 1, folder 3
Industrial Workers of the World, stamps and ephemera
circa 1905-1940
box 1, folder 4
Stamps and ephemera from strikes, boycotts, and fundraisers
circa 1914-1940
box 1, folder 5
International Labor Defense, stamps and ephemera
circa 1925-1940
box 1, folder 6
International Workers Order and other socialist groups, stamps and ephemera
circa 1930s
box 1, folder 7
Continental Congress for Economic Reconstruction, stamps and ephemera
1933
