Posted 13 years ago
bookofmark
(1 item)
I have this from an old estate sale. I cannot find information about it and am dieing of curiousity to find out what it is, who made it and when it was made. Any info is appreciated.
glass paperweight Abraham lincoln george washington woodrow wilson | ||
| Military and Wartime6129 of 7283 |  |  |
This is a promotional item for the fourth liberty loan. The liberty loans were used to finance WWI. There were four liberty loans, which were separate authorizations by the US Government to raise money for the war effort through selling bonds. The 4th loan was raised in September 1918, and offered six billion dollars in bonds at 4 1/2%, payable in gold coin. Many people rolled their earlier bonds into this 4th loan, because the terms were more favorable. Bonds were negotiable, and many people sold them for whatever they could get during the depression. The bonds matured 1934, but by then President Roosevelt had stopped all payments in gold, and the dollar had been devalued, so people who held on to their bonds never got their full value.
There were lots of different promotional items to get the public to buy bonds; Stickers, buttons, posters, etc. Movie and Broadway stars were sent on tour to urge people to buy bonds. The Army even sent pilots to do stunt shows to increase sales. Your paper weight is one of the many give-aways to encourage people to buy bonds.
CHRISNP. Wow thanks so much for the great information. I appreciate the response. You have a cool page here and I am enjoying looking at all the items. Best wishes for you and your family. Mark Ruegsegger.