603. [AIREY, REV. J.W.E.]. [SAM HOUSTON WHITTLERS’ CLUB]. Small archive of material relating to the Sam Houston Whittlers’ Club:

1. Printed certificate of membership in the Sam Houston Whittlers’ Club with image of Sam Houston and two crossed knives in center, completed in ink, identifying Rev. J.W.E. Airey as a member of the club and signed by six club officers. 21.8 x 28 cm. Fine.

2. Another copy of the membership certificate, made out to Maj. G.W. Lillie. Fine.

3. Small, flat, whittled wooden model of a rifle, approximately 26 centimeters long. The model is folded into another copy of the membership certificate detailed above.

4. Carbon copy of typed letter, dated February 18, 1938, from Rev. J.W.E. Airey of Houston, Texas, to The Progressive Farmer, Birmingham Alabama, requesting two five-year subscriptions to the paper for himself and Mr. Grover Burge, Vice President of the Sam Houston Whittlers’ Club. The letter also requests two copies of The Progressive Farmer 52:10 (October, 1937), containing an article by Marqis James, entitled “Sam Houston: Inveterate Whittler,” which was read at a meeting in Houston at which the Sam Houston Whittlers’ Club was organized. Letter browned with a few tiny chips to blank margins, otherwise fine.

5. Carbon copy of typed page containing a script for “Initiation of a Whittler.” Includes the stipulation that “the penalty for not having your knife when challenged is to buy a round of drinks,” and ends with a sprinkling of shavings over the newly-initiated whittler. Sheet lightly browned with a few small tears to blank margins, otherwise fine.

6. Photograph of eight Sam Houston Whittlers’ Club members with pocket knives stuck into a board held up by several members. N.p, n.d. (ca. 1940). Gelatin silver print, 18 x 22.8 cm. Several stains to image, probably resulting from the developing process, overall good condition. Pencil inscription on verso: “Whittlers club.”

7. Small group of newspaper clippings mentioning the Sam Houston Whittlers’ club, plus a few items of apparently unrelated ephemera (a printed poem entitled Jackie and an envelope with handwritten inscription in pencil beginning “A man’s worth is measured by the degree of supervision that he requires.”

     J.W.E. Airey was involved in efforts to organize pioneer history. Airey maintained a collection of photographs from Nate Salsbury, owner & manager of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

($100-200)

Auction 22 Part II Abstracts