EPHEMERA: toy.
Suffrage Toy. Votes for Women. Tin and Brass Toy. [NP: ND., ca. 1915-1917].
22 1/2” tall with 2 rings of diameters 33" x 2 5/8”. A promotion toy and display item which consists of thick wire twisted around itself with large holding loop at one end and smaller loop-stopper at the other end; also, two interlocking painted tin rings, a 2” brass sleeve, with washer, at the holding end, and a brass cap between the two rings. The larger ring is painted white with, in black, “Votes for Women” twice (on each half of the circumference); the smaller ring is painted yellow and has no lettering. When the brass sleeve is pushed upward the rings spine together, they return to the bottom by the force of gravity; the movement can be quite fast. Excellent working condition. Extremely rare.
Parades, public speaking events and more personal affairs permitted women of all backgrounds to assume public suffrage identities and personalities. The whirl of this simple toy aroused curiosity among strangers, stimulating conversations among strangers and acquaintances and heated discussion among friends and antis. Like other types of political memorabilia, suffrage goods also celebrated the camaraderie and unity of the group for which they stood---equal suffrage supporters. While men in the 19th century used political objects to tighten and highlight the bonds of partisanship -- which in turn highlighted the bonds of manhood - woman suffragists used them to keep their largely homogeneous movement alive. Suffrage goods helped supporters express what they knew: despite their losses, the cause of woman suffrage was just and achievable. The showing of the suffrage colors, the wearing of badges, ribbons, and other suffrage related paraphernalia were often purchased in bulk and distributed either for free or at a minimum cost to passerby, street lecture attendants, parade watchers, theatergoers - whomever suffragists could attract to their forays into public space- these items became souvenirs, mementos of a day adventure.
See Finnegan, Selling Suffrage, pp.111-138.
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