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Lot 249: Have You a Red Cross Service Flag?

Est: $600 USD - $800 USDSold:
Guernsey'sNew York, NY, USJune 30, 2015

Item Overview

Description

Jessie Wilcox Smith 27.5"x21" USA BT, OF, 3" tear in bottom center.

Artist or Maker

Condition Report

Col. McCrahon Poster Collection Condition Guide: BT- Borders Trimmed, C- Creased, F- Faded Color, OF- Original Folds, LB- Linen Backed, PC- Poster Coated. In the 1920's, in preparation for various public exhibitions, a portion of the posters in this collection were protected with a clear coating. Unlike varnish (which tended to turn amber and brittle through the years) applied by some collectors many decades ago, the coating used on the Col. McCrahon posters remain clear and flexible. If anything, the coating has tended to intensify the original printed colors. PM- Paper Missing, RE- Ragged Edge, SS- Slight Staining, ST- Small Tears, WD- Water Damage, WR- Wrinkled, VT- Visible Tears. Location of tears or ragged area: B- Bottom, T- Top, M- Middle, L- Left Side, R- Right Side. (Example- BT,RE-T,B = Borders Trimmed, Ragged Edge on the Top and Bottom.)

Provenance

In 1919, during the final stage of World War I, Colonel Edward H. McCrahon found himself in the devastated French village of Mieux. Among the war-scarred buildings, he came upon a Howard Chandler Christy poster nailed to a door depicting a smiling woman in a navy blue suit declaring "Yes, I wish I was a man, I'd join the Navy." McCrahon decided to take the poster as a souvenir and continued to collect more World War I posters over the next 16 years. By 1935 he had obtained thousands, making his Collection one of the largest privately-owned World War 1 poster collections in America. Today, the finest and most unique pieces in the Col. McCrahon Poster Collection are being offered at auction. Although an American citizen, in 1915 Edward H. McCrahon joined the French Army working as an ambulance driver. He was released from French service in 1917 so that he was allowed to fight with the United States, who had just entered the war. Considering McCrahon's role in both the French and American militaries, respectively, it was no surprise that he chose to take the Howard Christy poster home with him from Mieux. When he first began actively collecting, he specifically sought out Allied posters created by French artists manufactured during the early stages of the war. As his Collection increased, he started to expand his scope, including prints from all the major nations in the war, both Allied and Central Powers. McCrahon would frequent antique shops and bookstores, searching for forgotten posters. He even went so far as to advertise in local newspapers. After 16 years compiling his Collection, Colonel McCrahon, along with his wife, made selected pieces of their poster collection public, exhibiting them in galleries, libraries, schools such as Middlebury College, and veteran groups such as the National Recovery Administration. Due to the rarity and delicacy of some of the prints in his touring exhibition, McCrahon mounted a number of posters on linen and coated them in a protective gloss finish of his own creation in order to preserve and protect them while they travelled. Many of the posters in the Collection also feature his initials "E.H.McC" on the back. The size of McCrahon's World War I Poster Collection eventually landed him in John Hix's syndicated cartoon strip Strange as It Seems in 1935. By then, McCrahon had collected 3,000 posters from all over the world. In the February 2, 1936 issue of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, McCrahon describes his assortment of posters as flaunting "catchy slogans and appeals from every vantage point in the world's cities, from lonely outposts of deserts, jungles and steppe, and in isolated villages." This fantastic Collection certainly represents one of the most complete compilations of World War I poster art. It features some of the most recognizable American and French posters, as well as those from countries as far away as China and Algeria. McCrahon's Collection also features posters by famed artists such as James Montgomery Flagg, Theophile Steinlen, Ludwig Hohlwein, and Howard Christy. The overwhelming themes of the Collection center on propaganda and military recruitment, but there are also advertisements for war loans and bonds, food rations, as well as appeals to join the Red Cross, YWCA, relief in the Near East, and for animal aid. Naturally, these wartime messages were represented in McCrahon's traveling collection in the 1930s. The posters served as a touring memorial for those who lived through the First World War, evoking the wartime sentiment that many had repressed as part of the nightmare, but also reminding the public of the nation's unity under one cause.

Payment & Shipping

Accepted forms of payment: Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

You can authorize any shipper of your choosing to take possession of your items and deliver them to you. Shipping and Handling charges will apply. See our Terms & Conditions for important shipping and handling information. Please contact Guernsey's with any questions regarding shipping. 212-794-2280

Auction Details

WWI POSTER COLLECTION - JUNE 30 - DAY 1

by
Guernsey's
June 30, 2015, 10:00 AM EST

65 East 93rd Street, New York, NY, 10128, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

25.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$299$25
$300$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,000
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000+$25,000

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

This catalogue, as amended by any posted notices during the sale, together with the purchaser's registration statement, is Guernsey's and the Consigner's entire agreement with the purchaser relative to the property listed herein. THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE THE ONLY TERMS AND CONDITIONS BY WHICH ALL PROPERTIES ARE OFFERED FOR SALE. The property will be offered by us as the agent for the Consigner unless the catalogue indicates otherwise. By bidding at auction, the buyer agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions of Sale.

1. ALL PROPERTIES ARE SOLD AS IS, AND NEITHER WE NOR THE CONSIGNER MAKE ANY WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOT SOLD INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CATALOGUE OR OTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIGIN, PHYSICAL CONDITION, SIZE, QUALITY, RARITY, ATTRIBUTION, AUTHORSHIP, IMPORTANCE, MEDIUM, PROVENANCE, EXHIBITIONS, LITERATURE OR HISTORICAL RELEVANCE OF THE PROPERTY, AND NO STATEMENT ANYWHERE, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, SHALL BE DEEMED SUCH A WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION. ALL SIZES LISTED ARE APPROXIMATE AND LISTED IN INCHES, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. WE AND THE CONSIGNOR DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTIES ARE MADE THAT ANY OF THE MERCHANDISE COMPLIES WITH ANY APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL RULES, REGULATIONS OR ORDINANCES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER. NEITHER GUERNSEY'S AS AGENT NOR THE CONSIGNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FAULTS OR DEFECTS IN ANY LOT OR THE CORRECTNESS OF ANY STATEMENT AS TO ANY ORIGIN, AUTHORSHIP, DATE, AGE, ATTRIBUTION, GENUINENESS, PROVENANCE OR CONDITION OF ANY LOT.

Any description of the items contained in this Auction is for the sole purpose of identifying the items for those Bidders who do not have the opportunity to view the lots prior to bidding, and no description of items has been made part of the basis of the bargain or has created any express warranty that the goods would conform to any description made by Auctioneer. No statement by anyone or in the catalogue, in any advertisement, or which is made at the sale, in the bill of sale or invoice, or elsewhere, shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN A DESCRIPTION AND THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, THE TERMS OF CONDITIONS SHALL CONTROL. NO DESCRIPTION IS INTENDED TO, OR SHALL, NEGATE OR LIMIT THE DISCLAIMERS SET FORTH HEREIN.

WITHOUT IN ANY WAY WAIVING THE FOREGOING, ANY COMPLAINT REGARDING AUTHENTICITY, GENUINENESS, ATTRIBUTION OR PROVENANCE SHALL BE MADE WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE (25) DAYS OF THE DAY OF SALE OR SUCH COMPLAINT SHALL BE WAIVED. ALL BIDDERS ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE MADE OR REQUESTED FULL INSPECTION OF ANY AND ALL PROPERTIES PRIOR TO SALE AND AGREE TO BE CHARGED WITH ALL MATTERS SUCH INSPECTION MAY HAVE DISCLOSED OR INDICATED. INSPECTION ON THE DAY OF SALE WILL BE PERMITTED ONLY UPON PREARRANGEMENT WITH THE US.

2. A buyer's premium will be added to the purchase of all lots in the sale, and is payable by the purchaser as part of the total purchase price. The buyer's premium for all bidders participating in the auction is 25%. Guernsey's also receives a commission directly from the Consignor.

3. We reserve the right to withdraw any property before the sale.

4. Unless otherwise announced by the auctioneer, all bids are per lot as numbered in the catalogue.

5. All bids placed, and all payments made must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. Bank.

6. Payments are due promptly at the conclusion of the auction and within 10 days of receipt of invoice.

7. We reserve the right to reject any bid. The highest bidder, acknowledged by the auctioneer, will be the purchaser. In the event of a dispute between bidders, or in the event of doubt on our part as to the validity of any bid, the auctioneer will have the final discretion whether to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer and resell the article in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, our sale records are conclusive. Although in our discretion, we will execute other order bids or accept telephone bids as a convenience to clients who are not present at auctions, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions in connection therewith.

8. If the auctioneer decides that any opening bid is below the value of the article offered, he or she may reject the same and withdraw the article from sale, and if having acknowledged on opening bid, he or she decides that any advance thereafter is insufficient, he or she may reject the advance.

9. ALL LOTS IN THIS AUCTION ARE BEING SOLD WITHOUT MINIMUM RESERVE.

10. On the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the offered lot will pass to the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer, subject to fulfillment by such bidder, of all the conditions set forth herein, and such bidder thereupon a) assumes full risk and responsibility thereof, but not limited to, insurance, fire, theft, removal and storage or damage from any and all causes, and b) will pay the full purchase price thereof or such part as we may require. In addition to other remedies available to us by law, we reserve the right to impose a late charge of 1 1/2% per month of the total purchase price if payment is not made in accordance with the conditions set forth herein. REGARDING ANY PURCHASER WHO IS REPRESENTED BY A BIDDER: BIDDERS ARE PERSONALLY AND INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER SET FORTH IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. If any applicable conditions herein are not complied with by the purchaser, in addition to other remedies available to us and the Consigner by law, including, without limitation, the right to hold the purchaser liable for the total purchase price, we at our option may either, a) cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the purchaser, or b) resell the property at public auction without reserve, and the purchaser will be liable for any deficiency costs including handling charges, the expenses of both sales, our commissions on both sales at our regular rates, reasonable attorney's fees, incidental damages, and all other charges due hereunder. In the event that such a buyer pays a portion of the purchase price for any or all lots purchased, Guernsey's shall apply the payment received to such lot or lots that Guernsey's, in its sole discretion deems appropriate. In the case of default, purchaser shall be liable for legal fees and expenses. In addition, a defaulting purchaser will be deemed to have granted us a security interest in, and we may retain as collateral security for such purchaser's obligations to us, any property in our possession owned by such purchaser. We shall have the rights afforded a secured party under the New York Uniform Commercial Code with respect to such property and we may apply against such obligations all monies held or received by us for the account of, due from us to, such purchaser. At our option, payment will not be deemed to have been made in full until we have collected funds represented by checks, or, in the case of bank or cashier's checks, we have confirmed their authenticity. Upon collection of funds, purchaser shall receive a bill of sale for the concerned items of merchandise.

11. Unless exempted by law, the purchaser will be required to pay New York state and local sales tax or any applicable compensating use tax of another state on the total purchase price. Deliveries outside the state may be subject to the compensating use tax of another state. Where duty or collection is imposed on Guernsey's by law, it will require payment of these taxes.

12. These Terms and Conditions of Sale as well as the purchaser's and our respective rights and obligations thereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. By bidding at an auction, whether present in person or by agent, order bid, telephone or by other means, the purchaser shall be deemed to have consented to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York, with exclusive venue in the County of New York.

13. We are not responsible for the act or omissions of carriers or packers of purchased lots, whether or not recommended by us. Packing and handling of purchased lots by us is at the entire risk of the purchaser. In no event will our liability to a purchaser exceed the purchase price actually paid.

14. Estimates do not represent any opinion or guarantee of actual value or ultimate sale price. Actual prices realized for items can fall below or above this range. They should not be relied upon as a prediction or guarantee of the actual selling price. They are prepared well in advance of the sale and are subject to revision.

15. Should any disputes arise pertaining to purchases at this auction or any other matters relating to the auction, such disputes shall be brought in the courts of the State of New York. Venue shall be within the County of New York.

16. Any claim regarding a purchase must be made by the successful bidder to Guernsey's, in writing, certified mail, return receipt requested, within 25 days of the final day of the live auction. Thereafter, all claims shall be time-barred. It is Guernsey's general policy, and Guernsey's has the right to have the purchaser obtain, at the purchaser's expense, the opinion of two recognized experts in the field, mutually agreeable to Guernsey's and the purchaser.

17. The copyrights in and to the items depicted in this catalogue, and the rights of publicity to the names, images and likenesses of persons or items depicted in this catalogue, are exclusively owned by the Consignor of the property or third parties. A BUYER OF AN ITEM OFFERED FOR SALE DOES NOT ACQUIRE ANY COPYRIGHT, COMMERCIAL RIGHT, OR SIMILAR RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO THE ITEMS OR THE IMAGES OR LIKENESSES CONTAINED THEREIN AND THE BUYER MAY NOT REPRODUCE ANY ITEM PURCHASED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER. No copies or photographs, catalogue descriptions or other written material in this catalogue may be reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the copyright holder.


Participating In the Auction

Bidding & Pre-establishing Credit In an effort to facilitate rapid release of items following the auction, you can pre-establish credit with Guernsey's. Having done so, you need only send Guernsey's a personal check for the amount of your purchase (assuming it is within the range of your credit line) and arrange for shipping of your purchases. The easiest way to accomplish establishing credit is to provide an Irrevocable Letter of Credit or a Bank Letter of Guarantee from your bank stating that they will guarantee your check up to an indicated amount. Such letters normally have a time limit and therefore, for this auction, a 14 business day limit from the day of the auction would be appropriate. The bank letter should include the bank officer's name and telephone number and should state that the letter is for Guernsey's auction of the Col. McCrahon WW I Poster Collection on June 30-July 1, 2015. The letter should be addressed to Barbara Mintz, Vice President of Guernsey's, and indicate the limit to which the checks can be written.

You Can Bid at this Auction without Pre-Establishing Credit
Without pre-establishing credit, unless you pay with cash, bank check, certified check, wire transfer, or by PayPal, your purchases will be held until your personal check clears (usually about 10 business days).
Internet Bidding
Bidders can view the full catalogue online, and leave advance absentee bids, as well as bid live as the sale is taking place at www.Invaluable.com All lots in this catalogue can be bid on through Invaluable.com prior to - and during - the live auction, provided that the bidder has completed Invaluable' application process and been approved for bidding.


Removal/Shipment of Purchases

If you are a successful Internet Bidder….
1. You will receive an invoice by email immediately following the conclusion of each day's auction. If you believe you are a successful bidder and don't receive an invoice, please contact Guernsey's (212-794-2280; sjaffe@guernseys.com)
2. Payment is due promptly and within 10 days of receipt of invoice.
3. Purchases paid for by wire transfer, bank check, cashier's check, or by PayPal will be available for release immediately.
4. Purchases paid for by personal or business check will be held until the check has cleared (please allow 10 business days from receipt of payment).
5. After purchases are available for release you will be contacted by Guernsey's and we will put you in contact with that shipper to make your own pick-up or shipping arrangements. Purchasers are responsible for all shipping costs.

Shipping Terms

You can authorize any shipper of your choosing to take possession of your items and deliver them to you. Shipping and Handling charges will apply. See our Terms & Conditions for important shipping and handling information. Please contact Guernsey's with any questions regarding shipping. 212-794-2280

Taxes Terms

New York residents only. NY Sales Tax: 8.875%