Mar 20 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2697 -
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Sale 2697 - Lot 260

Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
(LABOR.) Large collection of Pullman Porter ephemera, pamphlets, and artifacts. 66 items (20 artifacts, 35 pamphlets and pieces of printed ephemera, and 11 photographs); condition varies but generally strong. Various places, 1913-1970s
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Additional Details

The Pullman Company had a virtual monopoly over the railroad sleeping car traffic from the late 19th century through 1968. Central to their success were thousands of Pullman Porters who attended to the customers. Almost universally African-American men, they were poorly paid, reliant upon tips, and often subject to abuse by customers. The formation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters led by A. Philip Randolph improved wages and job security, and the profession often served as a path to home ownership. Offered here is a wide-ranging collection devoted to the work and material culture of the iconic Pullman Porter.

ARTIFACTS: Step stool, 20 x 18 inches at base and 10 inches at height, metal with rubber feet, painted yellow at sides, stamped "Pullman" at top; wear and soiling to finish but extremely sturdy. Porters would set these heavy stools out to assist with passengers stepping out onto low platforms. This design patent #157319 was issued for the "T.C. Bair Step Box" in February 1950.

Heavy wool checked sleeping car blanket reading only "Pullman S-17," 81 x 59 inches; folds, minor wear including a few small holes but still quite cozy.

Towel reading only "Pullman" in white and green, 37 x 21 inches, with Martex / West Point Pepperel label placing date circa 1965-1988.

Pair of hand towels reading "Property of the Pullman Company" in blue and white, one dated 1928, each about 23 x 16 inches.

Pullman Porter cap, 8 x 11 inches including bill and 3½ inches deep, size 7½, with label of Ruby's Uniform Caps of Chicago circa 1950s-1960s; minor wear.

Heavy white linen shirt with Pullman buttons and Pullman logo on pocket, size 46-P.

Uniform jacket with Pullman buttons and interior tag of "Manufacturer of Uniforms A.G. Meier & Co.," circa 1940s-1950s.

11 smaller Pullman-branded artifacts, all apparently circa 1940s-1970s: pair of hand brushes, unsharpened pencil, mechanical pencil, box of matches, "The Pullman Co. Yard Employee" pinback button, deck of "pinochle playing cards," double deck of playing cards in "West Pullman Works Employees Credit Union" case, and travel bar of soap in paper wrapper.

Metal plaque reading "This car equipped with adjustable seats. Porter will adjust upon request." 1¾ x 3¾ inches.


PAMPHLETS AND EPHEMERA: "Constitutions and By-Laws of Pullman Porters Benefit Association of America." Printed in 1937 with amendments through 1945 laid down.

"Instructions to Porters, Attendants and Bus Boys," 1 August 1952.

"Agreement Between the Pullman Company and Porters, Attendants, Maid and Bus Boys . . . Represented by the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters," 1 January 1953.

"Agreement Between the Pullman Company and . . . Clerical, Office, Station and Storehouse Employees . . . Represented by the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks," 1 January 1953.

"Instructions to Conductors," March 1939.

"Instructions to Conductors," August 1952.

Joseph Husband, "The Story of the Pullman Car," 1917.

Binder of Pullman ephemera with 26 items, most notably a broadside "Notice of Election . . . Involving the Employees of the Pennsylvania Railroad Commonly Known as Station Porters or Red Caps," for a union election, 25 May 1939; press photograph of a hospitalized Pullman Porter, 1944; 4 promotional photos; pamphlets titled ""Go Pullman, for Travel at its Best, By Day . . . By Night," circa 1960, "Pullman Progress," 1945, and "Pullman on Dress Parade," 1948; "For Your Refreshment" beverage and amenities price list; small cardboard signs reading "Dining Car in Opposite Direction" and "Quiet is Requested for the Benefit of Those who Have Retired"; and two pieces of Pullman Porter sheet music, 1913 and 1941.

Laminated card reading "This car is Served by Henry O. Austin, Porter."

Identification card issued to James O. Milton, porter, 1944.


PHOTOGRAPHS: 11 items, including a carte-de-visite of company founder George Mortimer Pullman, circa 1860s; circa 1900 cabinet card of a Pullman Porter posed with a traveling party outside a train; 1946 snapshot of porter Oscar Foster giving his Chicago address; and 8 other unidentified shots of porters.

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