Commems Collection Classic: 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - Congress - Part II

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commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 07/27/2024 09:30 am Continuing the story from Part I... Note: The following direct quotes* are from* The Congressional Record and reflect their time. As such, word choices often do not match today's social preferences and sensibilities. No offense is intended by me - my only desire is to present history as it happened for educational purposes. Netx up was Frank Carlson (R-KS): "Mr. Speaker, I think it is most fitting that Congress should authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces to commemorate the life and perpetuate the ideals and teachings of Booker T. Washington. "This God-fearing colored man endeavored through his example and teachings to uplift the members of his race and fit them for the social and industrial conditions in which they must live. His life was devoted to an educational program that would make the Negro an intelligent, God-fearing, and industrious citizen. "During the past few decades great progress has been made in this regard. Bigotry and intolerance, which ·have been a blight on our Nation, are gradually being removed. I want to urge immediate approval of this resolution." Following Carlson was Frances Payne Bolton (R-OH): "Mr. Speaker, we have before us a resolution to strike a new silver coin of 50-cent value upon which shall appear the likeness of Booker T. Washington. As a member of the board of the Tuskegee Institute which was started by him and is being continued in his name, I am particularly happy that such action is to be taken by this House. "Booker T. Washington's life was one of dramatic demonstration of what can happen in this great Nation of ours. Son of a slave, he became one of the most respected of our citizens, holding a position of importance in the educational world. "One of his greatest contributions not only to the Negro but to the life of America as a whole was his unshakable belief in the dignity of work. the beauty of hand labor. He believed that self-respect is necessary to every man and he set about building an institution which should give to the sons and daughters of slaves opportunity to prove themselves in many fields. "The simple directness of his approach to life and living gave him the strength with which to attain the unattainable. Tuskegee Institute today radiates the fine, strong sanity of its founder. The Negro youth that passes through its indoor and outdoor classrooms feels the spirit of him even to this day. We who serve upon the board of trustees are stimulated and inspired by the life of courage, determination, and vision that he lived. "It is therefore with sincere pleasure that I join with the other Members of this body in unanimous agreement to have the new silver 50-cent coin bear the likeness of this respected and honored citizen of these United States, Booker T. Washington." In Part III of this story, I'll pick up with the statements of Representatives Dondero and Robsion. 1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar To continue this story, click here: (Part III Link TBD) For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the BTW commemorative coins, see: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Edited by commems 07/27/2024 10:19 am Report this Post to the Staff

Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 07/27/2024 10:47 am I've always wondered why the letter A is smaller than the other letters in the reverse center text, Edited by Coinfrog 07/27/2024 10:48 am Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94765 Posts	Posted 07/27/2024 9:14 pm Thanks Commem - waiting on part tre! Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 07:33 am I'm enjoying the historical review, thanks @commems Waiting on Part 3 Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 07:36 am Quote: I've always wondered why the letter A is smaller than the other letters in the reverse center text, It might be a case of it being an optical illusion. As each of the letters was hand-sculpted (no computer software with copy-and-paste functions), all the letters show slight variations in height, width, thickness of stems, etc. (e.g., compare the lettet "O" in the various words and note the differences). The "A's" do vary from each other, but I don't think they are purposely smaller than the letters that surround them. That said, I do believe the 14 letters in "FROM SLAVE CABIN" are slightly smaller than the 12 letters in "TO HALL OF FAME" to help the two inscription lines be the same width in the design; I also think the overall kerning is tighter in the "TO HALL OF FAME" line. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187672 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 12:33 pm Very interesting! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
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