BURGESS, Thornton W.

Happy Jack Squirrel's Thrift Club, W.S.S. [War-Savings Stamps]

[Massachusetts]: The Massachusetts War Savings Committee, 1918. Harrison CADY. Wraps. [WWI] [JUVENILE]. Harrison CADY, illustrator. Along with a Happy Jack’s Thrift Club, Pat. 1-13-17, printed lapel pin.
Cover title: Happy Jack’s Thrift Club W.S.S. War-Savings Stamps
12mo (7 ½” x 5”); [22]pp; tan stiff wrapper, border and title on front with a vignette of Happy Jack printed in red and black; 2 staple binding; 5 illustrations in text; ½” split to foot of fold, a few small internal light spots; very good plus. Very good +. Item #1654

War Savings Stamps were issued by the U.S. Post Office during WWI in small monetary denominations. They were to be collected in a bond stamp book, which, when filled, could be used to purchase a larger denomination of war bonds.

The author of this pamphlet produced for the war effort was Thornton Burgess (1874-1965), a conservationist and an author of children stories. Harrison Cady (1877-1970) was a cartoonist and illustrator who illustrated many of Burgess’ books. The final page of the pamphlet defines the Thrift Club as a Club of Loyalty to help the state of Massachusetts raise money to loan to the federal government for the war effort. The purchase of a 25-cent Thrift Stamp would purchase a club button. “Wear the Club button and thus show that you believe in and are aiding patriotic thrift. BE A HAPPY JACK.”.

Price: $125.00